There were only twelve hours left before the memory–reset cycle ended
I had already bought a one–way ticket out of the country
Before leaving, I went to the children’s home where I had grown up. wanting to say one last goodbye to the director
What I hadn’t expected was to hear a familiar laugh the moment I reached the back courtyard
Evan, was lifting a little girl of five or six high into the air, making the children around them burst into giggles.
Sloare stood beside him, one hand covering her mouth as she smiled.
The instant she saw me, her expression darkened
She strode over in sharp. furious steps Tessa, do you have any shame at all? You’re already divorced, and you’re still
refusing to let go. You actually followed us here?
“Do you seriously think acting pathetic will make Evan come back to you? Let me tell you something. An unwanted
orphan like you isn’t even fit to carry my shoes”
The slap cracked through the air.
I couldn’t hold back anymore. I raised my hand and slapped her sharply across the cheek.
Sloane clutched her cheek as tears sprang instantly to her eyes.
Evan walked over, still holding the little girl’s hand.
He hadn’t even seen what had happened yet and was still speaking to Sloane in that same soft voice. “Babe, haven’t you always wanted to adopt a child? Look at this little girl. Her eyes look so much like yours. In the future, we could
His voice cut off the moment he saw me and the bright red handprint on Sloane’s face.
Sloane immediately collapsed to the ground, trembling.
“Evan… I was only telling Tessa to stop following us, and she hit me… Is she trying to kill me.. ”
Evan’s gaze turned to ice.
He stared at me, every word grinding out between his teeth. Tessa, apologize to Sloane.”
“Why should I apologize?” I stood ramrod straight.
“So you’re not apologizing?”
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Evan let out a cold laugh, then turned to look at the director, who had hurried over after hearing t
“Director, starting next month. Holt Group will withdraw every cent of funding from Sunrise Children’s Home And th
not all. I’ll make sure no business in this city dares donate a single dollar to this place again”
The director’s face went white, and she nearly lost her footing
My whole body jolted
I stared at him in disbelief.
The children’s home was where my roots were
It was the only home I had ever had in either lifetime.
And no one knew better than Evan what that meant to me
“Evan, you’re cruel!” I was trembling all over with rage.
I’ll say it one last time. Get on your knees and apologize to her.” There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his voice.
I bit down hard and stared back at him without moving
Losing patience, Evan flicked a hand toward the bodyguards behind him.
“Grab her and make her kneel.”
Two huge men stepped forward. Each grabbed one of my arms and pushed me harshly toward the ground with brutal
strength.
My knees hit the rough gravel–covered ground with a heavy thud.
My knees crashed hard against the rough ground covered in gravel.
Sharp stones tore through the fabric of my pants and bit into my skin, sending pain stabbing straight to the bone
I was made me drop to my knees before Sloane.
I lifted my head and glared at Evan.
Every moment of tenderness from the past three years, every promise he had ever made, shattered completely in that instant and blew away like dust in the wind.
The moment Evan met my eyes, his whole body stiffened
Then Sloane suddenly let out a shriek and dropped to her knees in front of me too
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“Please don’t make Miss Yates kneel. The way she’s looking at me is terrifying I’m scared she’ll get revenge on me Then I’ll kneel and beg her myself, okay…”
She cried as she curled frantically into Evan’s arms.
Whatever flicker had crossed Evan’s face vanished at once.
He pulled Sloane up and wrapped her tightly in his embrace.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here. She won’t dare touch you.”
Then he
n at me from above.
Stay away from Sloane from now on.”
ed and walked away with Sloane in his arms.
Chapter 3
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
