Chapter 72
The pounding in Sebastian's head was relentless, the last traces of alcohol fading fast. He'd never been the type to make the first move—never been the one to initiate a kiss.
The only two times it had happened, it was Isabella who'd pressed her lips to his, and even then, he'd only allowed the barest brush against the corner of his mouth.
But tonight? With Evelyn?
He'd been a man possessed.
A beast unleashed, driven by something raw and uncontrollable. He didn’t recognize himself.
"Too much to drink. I wasn’t thinking." Sebastian leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Never drinking like that again. Too damn reckless."
"You’re a drunk and a lecher!" Lucas snarled, pacing like a caged animal. If he weren’t injured, he’d have already thrown a punch. "You forced yourself on Evelyn! You’re disgusting!"
The liquor had stripped away his restraint, but he couldn’t deny the truth—the moment his lips met Evelyn’s, the sweetness had been intoxicating.
"Get out," Sebastian muttered, his jaw tight. "I’m done."
"You’re heartless!" Lucas shot back, fury burning in his eyes. "She’s injured, Sebastian. She has stitches. And you—you take advantage of her like this?"
Sebastian’s chest tightened.
Evelyn stormed into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face before fleeing the hospital.
Rage simmered beneath her skin.
They were divorced.
He had no right.
No right to kiss her. No right to touch her.
Was she just an outlet for his drunken desires? The thought made her sick.
"Evelyn!"
A familiar voice cut through the night air, and before she could react, strong arms wrapped around her.
"I’m sorry," Nathaniel whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I should’ve been here sooner."
"I’m fine," she said stiffly.
Nathaniel knew about her injury, so he kept his grip gentle. "Does it still hurt? Let me take you to our hospital. We’ll get the best surgeon—"
"I said I’m fine."
She forced herself to breathe, to steady the storm inside her.
Her expression was ice.
"Where’s Adrian?" she demanded. "I want to see him. Now."
The penthouse was alive with tension.
Nathaniel sat calmly by the table, sipping tea as if the world weren’t crumbling around them.
Oliver and Harrison stood beside Evelyn, two towering men dwarfed by the sheer force of her anger.
"Evelyn," Harrison began carefully, "Adrian’s your brother. Try to stay calm."
"He’s a professional," Oliver added, though his voice lacked conviction. "He just wanted to protect you."
"Professional?" Evelyn’s laugh was sharp. "He’s a damn hitman."
She turned her glare on Oliver. "When you called me earlier, you were worried he’d kill Sebastian. What changed?"
"Snitch!" Adrian hissed, shooting Oliver a venomous look. "You’re dead."
"Oh, so now it’s my fault?" Oliver threw his hands up. "Fine. Evelyn, don’t go easy on him. He deserves whatever’s coming."
If Adrian was going down, Oliver wasn’t going down with him.
"Adrian!" Evelyn snapped. "You still think you did nothing wrong?"
"Wrong?" Adrian scoffed. "I beat up the bastard who hurt my sister. Where’s the crime in that?"
"You’re impossible!"
Frustration boiled over. She slammed her fist against the armrest—then winced as pain shot through her shoulder.
Instantly, the room erupted.
"Evelyn!"
"Are you okay?"
"Miss, we need to get you to a hospital—"
Nathaniel, Oliver, Harrison, Adrian—all of them were on their feet, panic written across their faces.
Adrian dropped to his knees in front of her, cradling her hand like it was made of glass.
"Evelyn, please," he begged, his voice breaking. "Hit me. Yell at me. Just don’t—don’t hurt yourself."
"Do you finally understand?" she whispered.
The guilt was crushing. His sister had taken a bullet for him. And now? He’d made her pain worse.
"I just—I couldn’t stand seeing him hurt you," Adrian choked out. "You’re everything to us. We’ve spoiled you since you were a kid. No one gets to treat you like that."
Evelyn’s eyes burned.
"Listen to me," she said, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest. "I married Sebastian willingly. I knew he loved someone else. I knew he was cold. I thought I could change him—but I failed. That’s on me. Not him."
Adrian flinched.
"Letting go isn’t easy," she admitted softly. "I loved him for years. Even now, he still has a piece of my heart. But this? Fighting, hurting each other—it doesn’t help. Did you even think about how I’d feel, watching you attack him?"
"Evelyn, I—"
"I screwed up!" Adrian blurted, desperation clawing at him. "I’ll do anything. Just—just forgive me. I won’t touch him again. I swear."
He’d faced death without flinching. But the thought of losing his sister’s forgiveness? That terrified him.
Evelyn studied him, then sighed.
"Fine," she said, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Then before you leave in a few days, you’re coming home with me. We’re having dinner with William."
Nathaniel and Oliver exchanged glances.
Adrian grimaced—but if it made Evelyn happy, he’d endure it.
"Deal," he muttered. "I’ll be there."