Chapter 26

The words had barely left Thaddeus's lips when a chorus of shrieks erupted through the restaurant.

Jareth's mind instantly went to the woman he'd brought along—she wasn't the type to sit quietly. Pair her with Evadne, and chaos was inevitable.

"I'm a little tied up right now. Got a situation here. Let's catch up later, yeah?"

Just as Jareth was about to end the call, Thaddeus's voice sliced through the air like a blade. "Jareth. Where are you?"

Another wave of screams followed, even more piercing than before.

"K World Hotel. Restaurant."

Jareth rushed back inside.

The sight that greeted him shattered his expectations. Evadne had his date's hair gripped in one hand, her face pressed against the table, while her other hand pinned the woman's arms behind her back. It looked like something straight out of an action movie—a badass heroine taking down a criminal.

Jareth had worried Evadne might be the one getting bullied. Clearly, he'd underestimated her. Arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips, he settled in to watch the show.

"I'll sue you! I'll ruin you! You won’t survive in Elmsworth!" His date's voice was muffled against the table, her features contorted in fury.

"Better hurry, then," Evadne said coolly. "The bruises will fade, and you won’t have proof."

Her expression remained blank. If the woman hadn’t tried to attack her, she wouldn’t have bothered laying a finger on her.

Spotting Jareth, his date whimpered, "Mr. Jareth! Help me!"

"Alright, that's enough." Jareth stepped forward and pulled Evadne away. His tone wasn’t angry—if anything, it sounded like he was scolding a misbehaving child.

He wasn’t fazed. He’d once had four women brawling in the street over him. The only issue here was that Evadne was his best friend’s ex-wife, and he didn’t want to embarrass Thaddeus.

"Mr. Jareth, enough?!" His date’s hair was a mess, her face flushed with rage. "She attacked me! She humiliated me! You have to do something!"

Evadne sat back down, unfazed, while Jareth’s gaze drifted from her long legs down to her delicate feet in those heels.

He had a thing for feet—always had. Maybe because he’d seen too many pretty faces. But Evadne’s? Perfect.

"Did you provoke Ms. Evadne?" Jareth asked, eyes still on her.

"Why should I apologize?!" His date’s face twisted in outrage.

"You like me. Ms. Evadne doesn’t. So it couldn’t have been her who started this."

Evadne arched a brow. At least Jareth had some brains—unlike his insufferable friend, Thaddeus.

"Mr. Jareth, how could you treat me like this? I’m your girlfriend!" She lunged to hug him, but he stepped back, disgusted, leaving her stumbling.

"Girlfriend?" His voice turned icy. "Says who?"

She choked on her next words.

"Apologize. Then get out. I don’t want to see you again."

Everyone in Elmsworth knew Jareth’s temper. When he smiled, he was dangerous. When he didn’t, he was lethal.

"I’m sorry," she muttered, face burning, before fleeing.

"Apologies for the scene, Ms. Evadne." Jareth forced a smile, looking almost sheepish.

"Since you made her apologize, I’ll let it go."

Evadne checked her watch—a Richard Mille, limited edition. Jareth, a collector, recognized it instantly. Cassius must’ve spoiled her rotten. He wouldn’t even part with one himself.

And here she was, wearing it while doing manual labor. Unbelievable.

"I need to get back to work," she said, standing. "Enjoy your meal, Mr. Jareth."

"Ms. Evadne, when do you finish? I’ll pick you up tonight."

"Don’t bother. You won’t get the chance."

Her rejection was swift, her eyes cold. "I won’t be having dinner with you."

Jareth sighed. "So decisive? After I taught Ives a lesson for you at Sapphire Nights? Not even a thank-you dinner?"

Evadne scoffed. "I recall it was Thaddeus who helped me. Taking credit behind your friend’s back? Classy."

"Ms. Evadne, have I offended you somehow?" Jareth’s gaze sharpened. "Is it because of Cassius? Does he even dare to claim you publicly? I would."

"Mr. Jareth, love isn’t first-come, first-served—but it does have standards." Her words hit like a slap. "I may not be noble-born, but I have pride. When I married Thaddeus, he was the only one in my heart. Now, with Cassius, I can tolerate simple meals—but I won’t tolerate someone messing with what’s mine. Respect yourself and stay out of my life."

The bitterness in her voice was palpable. Even Jareth saw the suppressed fury in her eyes, his own darkening in response.

Evadne inhaled sharply, regaining her composure, and turned to leave—only to freeze.

"Thad?"

Jareth blinked. How had he gotten here so fast? Did he fly?

Thaddeus stood at the entrance like a storm cloud, his presence turning the air frigid. The restaurant, already cool, now felt like an icebox.

Evadne met his piercing gaze.

God, his eyes were mesmerizing—slightly upturned, the corners tinged red. Once, they’d made her heart race. Now, they only ever held coldness. Three years of pouring her soul into this marriage, and the only one moved had been her.

Thaddeus strode toward her, jaw clenched. Hearing Evadne was with Jareth, he’d canceled his afternoon and driven here like a man possessed. And then he’d heard her words—words that hollowed out his chest, leaving only rage.

He rarely lost his temper. But with Evadne, control was impossible.

"Why are you here?" His voice was a blade.

"Working." She turned away.

"Have you forgotten? We’re still married until the divorce is finalized. You’re still an Abernathy. And the Abernathys and Ashbournes are enemies. Yet here you are, working at their hotel. What were you thinking? Trying to humiliate me?"

Jareth opened his mouth, but Evadne cut in first.

"So that’s what you think." Her gaze was icy as it locked onto his. "Then let’s finalize the divorce. That way, you won’t have to haunt me like a ghost, glaring at me like I’m some nuisance."

"Evadne!" His brows furrowed.

"You didn’t bring the papers, did you? Have Gordon send them over. I carry mine every day, just in case today’s the day."

Her smirk was infuriating as she brushed past him—no hesitation, no looking back.

Thaddeus’s eyes burned. He grabbed her arm, hard, as if afraid she’d vanish.

Then—

A sickening pop.

Evadne gasped, pain shooting through her. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

Thaddeus went rigid.

He’d just dislocated her arm.