Chapter 94

The fight left Evelyn aching in every muscle. Her body screamed in protest, a brutal reminder of how soft she'd become since leaving the Hawthorne estate.

Freedom had allowed her to pursue her passions, but seeing Donovan today was a harsh wake-up call. No matter how far she ran, she would always carry the Hawthorne legacy in her veins.

As she soaked in the steaming bath, Evelyn noticed a dark bruise forming on her forearm - Donovan's parting gift. She'd need to tend to that later.

Her mind wandered to the encounter with Dominic and Vanessa. What should have been a dramatic confrontation left her feeling... empty. Not anger. Not resentment. Just pity for the naive girl she'd once been.

How foolish she'd been to believe Dominic was her soulmate, that Vanessa was a true friend. The memory made her snort with bitter amusement. The warm water lapped at her skin as she leaned back, eyelids growing heavy.

Alexander returned to find the bathroom filled with steam and silence. When his calls went unanswered, he pushed open the door without hesitation.

The sight froze his blood. Evelyn's body was slipping beneath the water's surface, her chin barely above the rising tide. "Evelyn!" He lunged forward, grabbing her under the arms just as the water reached her lips.

She came awake with a gasp, blinking up at him in confusion. "Alexander? What are you--" Then awareness dawned, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest.

"Out. Now." His voice brooked no argument as he lifted her from the tub, water cascading from her body.

Evelyn burned with embarrassment as he carried her through to the bedroom, acutely aware of her nakedness. He grabbed a towel from the rack and deposited her onto the bed.

"I can--" She tried to rise, but Alexander moved faster.

His hands pressed her back into the mattress, his larger frame making her sink into the bedding. Instinct made her grab his shoulders for balance. Her mind whirled - half from sleep, half from the sudden proximity.

Evelyn's breath caught as she took in Alexander's face mere inches from hers. Even this close, his features were flawless - like some divine sculpture come to life. Before today, she'd only glimpsed him from afar, this untouchable figure from society's highest echelons.

Now she could feel the heat of his skin, hear the steady rhythm of his pulse. The world narrowed to this single, electrifying moment.