Chapter 89

"You're still upset, aren't you?" Donovan Pierce shook his head. "Yes, Grandfather said some harsh things when you left, but he was angry. We're family. How can you hold onto words spoken in anger? It's been years. You've suffered enough. These rumors, the lawsuit—you brought this on yourself. And yet, you still refuse to come back?"

"It's not that I don't want to return," Evelyn Carter straightened her shoulders. "When the time is right, I will. I'll handle my own affairs. Don’t worry—no one will ever connect me to the Hawthornes."

That seemed to ignite something in him. "Do you honestly think we're afraid of being tainted by you? That you can just disappear and pretend we don’t exist? After all these years, you’re still as stubborn as ever."

"Then consider me exactly that," Evelyn replied coolly. "I’ll face Grandfather myself when I’m ready."

"You’re really not coming back?" Donovan took a step closer, looming over her.

He was lean, almost ethereal, his skin pale as moonlight. But his lips were a soft, deceptive pink, not bloodless like the rest of him. The contrast was striking—youthful beauty with an edge of danger.

Evelyn met his gaze without flinching. "No."

The word had barely left her lips when the air shifted.

Instinct kicked in. She barely had time to react before Donovan struck.

His movements were a blur—fast, precise, relentless. If she had hesitated even a second, she would’ve been on the ground.

They exchanged blows, the rhythm of their fight sharp and unforgiving. Evelyn’s breath came in short gasps as she barely dodged a kick aimed at her ribs.

Too close.

His foot stopped inches from her waist before he pulled back. The restraint was deliberate. He could’ve broken bones if he wanted to.

"Your reflexes have gotten sloppy," he remarked, voice light.

"I know," she admitted.

She’d realized it herself after her scuffle with Dominic Reeves’ bodyguards. Two years ago, she would’ve taken them down effortlessly. Now? Her wrist still ached from the strain.

"Last chance," Donovan said. "Are you sure?"

Evelyn didn’t answer. Her silence was answer enough.

"Fine." He stepped back, brushing past her. "Good luck."

By the time she turned around, he was already gone.

Her arms and legs burned from the exertion. Donovan hadn’t fought at full strength, but defending against him still took everything she had.

And yet…

This encounter meant one thing: her family hadn’t forgotten about her.

She had assumed Grandfather had written her off years ago, leaving her to rot in obscurity.

Apparently, she was wrong.