Chapter 109

A Marriage of Convenience?!

Emeric's blood boiled with rage. The urge to punch Thaddeus square in the jaw was overwhelming, but what stunned him more was Evadne's revelation.

He had always known his daughter was fearless—reckless enough to charge into a battlefield without hesitation. But this?

Disappearing for three years only to secretly marry his sworn enemy's son? And not just any marriage—a contract marriage?

Emeric's fingers twitched. He wanted to crack open her skull and see what the hell she'd been thinking.

Thaddeus's vision blurred, his chest tightening as if an invisible hand was crushing his ribs.

Now, she was walking away. Just like that. Three years of their life together, reduced to ashes in a single night.

But he couldn't let it end like this. Not without answers.

"If I remember correctly," Evadne's voice was ice, her gaze sharp as a blade, "we first met three years ago. When Mr. Hamiltion proposed our marriage, why didn’t you refuse?"

Thaddeus flinched.

"Why bother asking now?" She tilted her head, lips curling in a mocking smile. "Maybe I was bored. Maybe I wanted to see what it was like to be married to a man like you. Lucky for me, Mr. Hamiltion handed me the opportunity."

"Evadne." His voice cracked, raw and desperate. "I just want the truth."

"The truth?" She scoffed. "Let it go, Thaddeus. Dwelling on the past is pointless."

She extended her hand—cool, composed, as if they were nothing more than business rivals now.

"In the future, we might compete in the same circles. Don’t hold back on my account."

He stared at her outstretched fingers, his stomach twisting. If he took her hand, it would be over. Really over.

Evadne waited a beat, then shrugged and turned away.

The engine roared to life. Just as the car began to pull away, she rolled down the window, her face framed by the night.

Thaddeus's breath hitched.

"Nine a.m. tomorrow," she said, voice crisp. "The courthouse. Don’t be late."

The tires rolled over the pavement—and over his heart.

Behind him, Hamiltion wiped his eyes discreetly. Frederic's expression was unreadable.

"What?" Hamiltion sneered. "Now that she’s gone, you suddenly realize how good she was?"

Frederic clenched his jaw.

"Like father, like son," Hamiltion muttered. "Blind to what’s right in front of you."

Frederic had no retort.

The girl they’d dismissed as a nobody—the quiet, unassuming caregiver—was the heiress to the Ashbourne fortune.

If the world had known Thaddeus married her, the Abernathy name would’ve soared overnight.

Now? It was all dust.

The car sped through the darkened streets. Evadne stared out the window, her reflection ghostly against the glass.

Thaddeus’s question echoed in her skull.

Why did you marry me?

His eyes had been shattered. Broken. As if she had betrayed him.

Her nails dug into her palms.

No.

Pitying a man was the first step to ruin.

If Thaddeus had ever loved her, three years would’ve been enough. His pain now? Just wounded pride.

"So," Emeric growled, fists clenched, "why did you marry him?"

Evadne exhaled sharply. "Drop it, Emeric. It’s done."

"The hell it is!" His roar made the driver flinch. "You married that Abernathy brat in secret! If not for Hamiltion’s party, were you planning to hide it forever?"

"Why did you even come?" she deflected. "Did Frederic invite you?"

"Don’t change the subject!"

Evadne pressed her fingers to her lips, then smirked. "Because Thaddeus is pretty."

"Pretty?!" Emeric spluttered. "My sons are all better-looking than him!"

"And which of your sons could I legally marry?"

Emeric choked.

"How much did they pay you?" he demanded. "Jewels? Stocks? Mansions? If Frederic knew who you were, he’d have paraded you through the streets with fireworks!"

"I used a fake name," she reminded him dryly. "They had no idea I was your daughter. And I didn’t want the spectacle."

The thought of the Abernathys mistreating his girl made Emeric see red. He’d bankrupt them by dawn.

"You lowered yourself for him," he hissed. "You’re not this stupid, Evadne. What the hell happened?"

She wasn’t stupid.

She’d just loved him.

"Thaddeus was good to me," she said softly, squeezing Emeric’s hand. "No regrets. I’m back now, safe and sound."

Emeric exhaled, shoulders sagging. "Fine. That unlucky girl was his ex-wife—not my Evadne. You’re still the queen of the damn hill."

"Exactly." She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

The past was dead.

Time to move on.