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Chapter 19
Evelyn pushed the door open, a roll of design sketches tucked under one arm. Her hair was casually pinned up, with a few loose strands framing her face.
She looked up, ready to speak–then froze.
And there he was–Brandon Caldwell, standing at the counter like a shadow from another life.
He looked thinner, worn down, but his eyes still burned with that same familiar, relentless fire.
“Evelyn,” he stepped forward.
She didn’t hesitate. Turning on her heel, she grabbed Ryan by the wrist. “Let’s go.”
“Evelyn!” Brandon caught up quickly, blocking their path.
He reached out to grab her arm, but before his hand could make contact, Ryan stepped forward, placing
himself squarely between them and pushed him back.
“Don’t touch her.” Ryan squared his shoulders, positioning himself firmly between them.
Brandon’s eyes locked on Evelyn over Ryan’s shoulder. “I missed you. So much.”
People passing by on the street began to glance curiously their way.
Evelyn took a deep breath and gave Ryan a reassuring pat on the back. “It’s okay. I’ll handle this.”
Ryan hesitated for a second, glancing down at her for confirmation.
The natural, effortless intimacy between them made Brandon’s jaw clench.
Once Ryan walked away, Evelyn turned to face him directly.
The sunlight forced her to squint slightly. “Say what you came to say.
“I know it was Vanessa,” Brandon blurted out, his voice tight. “She’s the one who pushed my mother down the stairs. She orchestrated everything. I saw the footage–she confessed.”
Evelyn nodded. “I see.”
That was it. Just “I see.”
All the apologies, all the rehearsed explanations Brandon had prepared–jammed in his throat.
He had expected anger. Tears. Something
But she just stood there, calm and composed.
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“My mom doesn’t object anymore,” he added quickly, desperate to fill the silence. “She’s in rehab now. I hired the best caregiver. We can start over–just like before the wedding.”
“Brandon,” Evelyn cut him off, her voice steady. “You don’t need to apologize.”
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually, I should be thanking you. If not for your performance, I’d probably still be scrubbing dishes at the Caldwell estate.”
From inside, the boutique owner called out, “Evelyn! Your buttons!”
She answered with a short “Coming,” and turned to leave.
Brandon reached out and seized her wrist. “What do I have to do for you to make this right? You want me to beg? Apologize in public? I’ll give you my company shares if that’s what it takes.”
Evelyn yanked her hand away. “Brandon, don’t you get it?”
Her voice dropped, barely above a whisper. “I don’t want your money. I don’t want guilt. All I want is for-”
she pressed her fingers her chest, “this to stop hurting because of you.”
Across the street, Ryan honked once–short, soft, but perfectly timed.
Evelyn walked away without looking back. Brandon stood frozen, watching her open the car door, watching
Ryan lean in to fasten her seatbelt, watching that white SUV pull out and disappear down the road.
The boutique owner leaned against the doorway, clicking her tongue. “Tsk. Regret doesn’t sew broken seams. Should’ve thought of that sooner.”
Brandon slowly crouched down on the sidewalk, buried his face in his hands, and said nothing.
Inside the car, Ryan glanced at Evelyn through the rearview mirror. “You okay?”
Evelyn stared out the window, her voice low and soft. “Can you turn up the heat? I’m cold.”
Ryan reached over to adjust the temperature. ” The prototype dress for the design contest arrives
tomorrow.”
“Want to check it out together?”
“Yeah.” Evelyn nodded, but her expression was still a little distant, like her mind hadn’t quite returned.
The light turned red, and the car came to a stop. After a moment, Ryan spoke again.
“No matter what you choose to do, Evelyn, I’m with you.
Evelyn turned to him slowly. “You know what I was thinking when I took apart my mom’s wedding gown?”
Her gaze dropped to her lap.
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“I realized… some things, once broken, stay broken. Even if you sew them back together, the seams will always show.”
Ryan nodded quietly, then stepped on the gas when the light turned green.
C
