Six Years Ago

Evadne was completely dumbfounded. She had never anticipated that Linchy would be able to decipher her entire scheme.

A malevolent glint flickered in Linchy’s eyes. He lunged forward, seizing Evadne’s chin with a force that felt as if he intended to shatter her jawbone.

Evadne’s face turned ashen. A soft, pained moan escaped from her lips, which were pressed tightly together.

“Eva, it’s been four years. Are you still blind to who Percival really is?” Linchy sneered. “He only has room in his heart for Eulalia. Even if she were to die, he’d never marry you.”

“You’re spouting nonsense!” Evadne retorted, her voice tinged with hysteria. “He promised to marry me, and he will!”

“Do you really believe the words of a man?” Linchy scoffed, loosening his grip and lightly patting Evadne’s cheek. The gesture seemed gentle, but the mockery in his eyes made it feel as if he was treating her like a pauper.

Disgusted, Evadne shoved his hand away and picked up her clothes from the floor. “Why can’t you