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He didn’t say another word. Just turned around and walked away, defeated.
Mrs. Whitmore wanted to stop him, but Mr. Whitmore shook his head, letting him go to cool off on his
own.
The Next Day
Adrian’s public statement made the trending list.
At the same time, a flood of negative stories about Maria began surfacing. Overnight, both their
reputations were in tatters.
Eveline, by contrast, was now widely seen as the true victim. Public opinion quickly reversed in her favor.
After days dominating headlines, the scandal finally began to fade.
For the next month, Eveline didn’t see Adrian again.
Not until Martin’s birthday, when the family gathered once more at the old house.
She walked into the courtyard just as Adrian was standing outside, smoking.
He looked thinner, hollow–eyed and exhausted. Yet the moment he heard her footsteps, his eyes lit up–for
just a second. Then he said nothing.
They’d grown up together. Eveline hesitated, then walked over and patted his shoulder. A few words of
comfort left her lips.
He didn’t seem to hear them.
Not until the cigarette burned down completely did he finally speak, voice hoarse.
“Eveline, do you think your leg can ever be fully healed?”
Before she could answer, he gave a quiet laugh, almost like he’d just made a decision.
“All of it was my fault. I’ll do everything I can to make it right.”
Eveline didn’t catch the deeper meaning behind his words. She opened her mouth to ask, but he was
already walking away, leaving her no chance.
What was that about?
Puzzled, Eveline turned back–only to hear Mrs. Whitmore calling her from the house.
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She gave up on following Adrian and went inside, hoping to ask Mrs. Whitmore about him later.
Elsewhere
Adrian sat in his car, dialing a number.
When the voice on the other end confirmed everything was ready, he took a deep breath and closed his
eyes.
He had thought long and hard over the past few days.
And now, he had made his choice–to let go.
He had hurt her for seven years. If being with his uncle could bring her happiness, he would step aside.
As for the lies he once told, they were knives he’d thrust himself–there was no undoing the damage.
The only promise he could still keep was to find the remains of her father, no matter the cost.
Even if it meant risking his life.
He had come to the family gathering today just to see her one last time.
Now that he had, it was time to go.
He glanced at the house one last time and was about to drive off–when a familiar figure passed by his
window, deep in conversation on the phone.
It was Martin.
Focused on the call, Martin didn’t notice Adrian in the car.
He was frowning, his voice urgent.
“If Eveline ever finds out I was part of the plan… I don’t know how she’ll take it.”
“I don’t want to lie to her.”
Plan? Involved?
Adrian’s entire body froze.
His pulse slowed. He held his breath and stared at Martin, pieces falling into place in his mind.
If this was true… then he still had a chance.
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“Let’s be honest–if it weren’t for me, Adrian never would’ve been able to rent that plane…”
Martin’s voice faded as he walked farther away, but Adrian was nearly shaking with excitement.
He knew it. Martin wasn’t innocent either.
They were both liars. Neither was better than the other.
At least now, Eveline deserved the truth–and the right to choose.
Adrian unlocked his phone, ready to send her a message.
But as he stared at the screen, his fingers hovered, hesitant.
Would this really be for her sake?
She’d only just begun to move on from those seven painful years.
Was it fair to shatter her peace again?
Logic and resentment wrestled inside him.
In the end, resentment won.
Meanwhile
Eveline was chatting with Mrs. Whitmore when her phone buzzed.
She glanced down and saw a message from Adrian. She froze for a moment, then stood up under the
excuse of a work call and stepped outside.
And there he was–Martin, just ending a phone call.
He looked up, startled to see her. For the first time, the always composed man actually looked rattled. He
hung up quickly, clearly hiding something.
Eveline stood silently for a moment, her thoughts in turmoil.
Logically, she didn’t care that Martin might’ve pushed things behind the scenes.
Even without his interference, Adrian likely would’ve staged the fake death anyway. That was the kind of
man he was back then.
But to say she wasn’t affected… would be a lie.
This was the man who had pulled her out of the darkest chapter of her life. Who had stood by her when no
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one else had.
And now, he had lied to her too.
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