Chapter 341
“Yeah, it becomes a part of me somehow. Never felt the need to switch it out,” Alex replied, trying to sound casual.
However, Evangeline’s mind wandered to a different time, a time of endless scales and arpeggios under their teacher’s watchful eye. It was during one of those intense practice sessions that she first spotted the watch on Alex’s wrist.
Alex, the Gordon family’s second son, always wore this surprisingly modest timepiece. The face was no bigger than a quail egg. its surface bare except for the maker’s mark. It had no bling, no flair, nothing that could be expected from a guy of his stature.
Nonetheless, he never took it off, not even when the strap dug into his skin, not even when the paint started to chip away. The same answer he gave her a few seconds ago was the same answer he had given her back then.
That was why, when it came time to pick out his gift, Evangeline knew it had to be a watch. She felt a warmth flood through her–she knew Alex always had her back.
His words, his stories, were like someone bravely reopening old wounds, all to help her learn and grow.
“Alex, I know you’re just looking out for me. But Walter and I… we just can’t make it work anymore,” said Evangeline with a sense of defeat, acknowledging the harsh reality.
Before she had tied the knot, Evangeline had thought she would give it a shot, even if she suspected their relationship might be like trying to enjoy an unripe fruit–forced and ultimately unsatisfying.
After giving it her all, she accepted that some things just could not be sweetened by sheer will. She did not want to spend her life choking down the bitterness.
She pulled back her gaze, hiding away the pain and struggle that flickered in her eyes.
Then, out of the blue….
“Evie, look at me.” Alex’s voice cut through her thoughts, demanding her attention.
As their eyes locked, Evangeline heard the question that Alex threw at her.
“Tell me, do you still have feelings for Walter? Is your heart empty, or is his shadow still lingering there?”
His voice was more intense than she had ever heard, the questioning tone sending her pulse racing.
She had never let herself think about these things. The sheer chaos of their relationship was reason enough for a divorce, what she felt inside seemed irrelevant at this point.
She wanted to open up to Alex, but he quickly cut in..
“Divorce is always an option, but if Walter still has a place in your heart and you go through with it, I’m scared you’ll end up with regrets…
Evangeline was speechless.
Confronted with Alex’s earnest concern, she could not dodge the question she had been running from all along.
+25 BONUS
“I think… I really need to think this through,” she admitted.
If she did not care for Walter, why did she go through the motions of starting a family with him? unease during her pregnancy?
him? Why th
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Chapter 341
Deep down, Evangeline knew the answer. She just had not been ready to face it… until this moment.
Without anyone noticing, Alex had slipped away at some point.
Snapping back to reality from her daydreams, Evangeline realized it was already dinner time.
Julieta had made Evangeline’s favorite dishes and set them out on the table with care.
Evangeline eyed the enticing spread and forked a hopeful bite into her mouth, only to find it tasteless. This showed that when feeling low or dejected, even the most delicious food could seem flavorless.
Right then, her phone buzzed–it was Yale calling.
“Evie, a week is up.”
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