Chapter 340

The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in around Adrian Chambers. Dressed in a thin hospital gown, he lay motionless on the bed, his usually sharp features now drained of color. His lips, pale as winter roses, parted slightly as he struggled to draw breath.

"Mr. Chambers, what were you thinking?" His secretary, Preston Walsh, stood rigid by the bedside, his voice trembling with barely contained panic. "That horse could have killed you! All your sacrifices, everything you've built in Helgen—gone in an instant!"

Adrian's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a faint, exhausted smile. "Preston," he murmured, "I didn't know you cared so much."

Preston's throat tightened. He had served Adrian for eight years—first as a stable boy, then as his most trusted aide. Titles changed, but loyalty never wavered.

Adrian was a fortress, his heart guarded by walls of ice. No one got close. No one, except Evangeline Ashbourne.

And now, for the first time, Preston saw a crack in those walls.

"Your health is everything, sir," Preston insisted, voice thick with emotion.

"For Evangeline," Adrian whispered, his gaze softening at her name, "I'd do it again. I need her to know—I can bleed for her too. Not just Thaddeus."

A bitter edge crept into his tone. "Next time she needs saving, I want her to think of me first."

Preston nodded slowly. "You mean... a man like Thaddeus, tangled in scandals, isn't worthy of her."

Adrian's jaw clenched. He didn't answer.

A vibration cut through the silence.

Adrian glanced at his phone—then swiftly tucked it under his pillow as the door swung open.

"Adrian?"

Evangeline's voice was like sunlight piercing through storm clouds. Adrian's lips curved into a warm smile, though his fingers dug into the sheets beneath him.

"Evangeline, I told you—I'm fine."

She stepped inside, her sharp gaze sweeping over his battered form. Guilt twisted in her chest.

This was her fault.

"I said I'd take responsibility," she replied, her tone softer than usual as she approached.

Adrian's heart swelled.

"Ms. Ashbourne," Preston interjected carefully, "you took a fall too. Are you hurt?"

"Scratches. Nothing compared to his broken arm, fractured ribs, and five stitches." Evangeline's voice was steady, but her fingers twitched at her sides.

Adrian chuckled weakly. "I don't need a hospital. I know my limits."

"Oh, for—" Evangeline threw up her hands. "What is it with you men? Thaddeus just had brain surgery and refused to stay put either. Is there some macho rulebook I missed?"

The moment Thaddeus's name left her lips, she froze.

Adrian's smile turned brittle. "You really do think of him often, don't you?"

Evangeline met his gaze, unflinching. "Do you want the truth?"

His breath hitched.

"Yes. He matters. More than I'd like." Her voice was calm, but the ache in her chest was anything but. "We were married for three years, but I've known him far longer. When he left, it felt like losing half my soul."

Her nails bit into her palms. "Could you forget that?"

"Evangeline—"

"I'm not pining for him," she cut in, waving a dismissive hand. "I just need time."

Adrian's face paled further. He struggled to sit up, but Evangeline shoved him back down.

"Stop! You're injured!"

"Ten years. Twenty. A lifetime." His voice was raw. "I'll wait. Until you heal. Until you see me."

His hand shot out, gripping hers with desperate strength.

"Let go!" She yanked free—and Adrian nearly toppled off the bed.

Preston lunged to catch him, shooting Evangeline a pleading look. "Ms. Ashbourne, please—he saved you."

"Preston, don't." Adrian coughed, sweat beading on his brow. "I'm asking too much."

Evangeline's lips pressed into a thin line.

Then—a chime.

Another.

And another.

All three phones buzzed in unison.

Evangeline frowned, pulling out her device. A Twitter notification glared up at her:

[THADDEUS FAIRHAVEN CAUGHT IN HOTEL SCANDAL WITH EDITH FAIRHAVEN]

Her blood turned to ice.

"Oh my God," Preston gasped, scrolling frantically. "Ms. Ashbourne, Mr. Chambers—have you seen this? Thaddeus and the Fairhaven heiress? The photos—the video—this is explosive!"

Adrian remained still, his expression unreadable.

Evangeline's fingers trembled. "I have to go."

"Evangeline!" Adrian called after her.

She paused at the door, shoulders rigid.

"No matter what," he vowed, "I won't betray you. Ever."

The bathroom door slammed behind her.

Alone, Evangeline sank onto the closed toilet seat, her phone shaking in her hands as she scrolled through the damning evidence.

Comments flooded in:

"Men like Thaddeus are trash. First Evangeline, now Edith?"

"He's just using the Ashbournes for their money!"

"Edith's a stick compared to Evangeline. What's his damage?"

Her vision blurred.

Then—her brother's call.

"Evangeline? Evangeline?" Cassius's voice was urgent.

"I saw it," she whispered.

"Are you—"

"I'm fine." Her laugh was hollow. "Edith is Jareth's sister. Good for him. The Fairhavens will boost his career."

"Evangeline," Cassius said quietly, "you knew Thaddeus for thirteen years. Does this sound like him?"

Her grip on the phone tightened. "Even if it's a setup, he walked into that room willingly."

A beat of silence.

"Flies don't bite seamless eggs," she spat.

"At least hear his side—"

"No." Her voice cracked. "We're done."

She hung up—just as another call lit up her screen.

Thaddeus Fairhaven.