Benjamin Carter's fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white. "What monster did this to Evelyn? How could Theodore Vance inflict such a deep gash on her palm? He's absolute filth."

Alexander Blackwood stood in the heavy silence. His voice, when it finally came, was low and strained. "She was drugged. She used the blade on herself. It was the only way to stay conscious."

Benjamin's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

A wave of profound respect washed over him as he processed the extreme measure Evelyn had taken to survive.

This woman was in a league of her own.

After running the necessary blood tests, Benjamin studied the results and let out a long, slow breath. "The toxins have mostly cleared. It would have taken an incredible force of will to fight it off." He handed the report to Alexander, his tone filled with awe. "She's remarkable. Very few people could have endured that."

Alexander took the report. His heart twisted with a painful mix of agony and regret as he looked at Evelyn.

He had promised to keep her safe. To protect her from any harm.

Yet, here she was, wounded again.

The failure was a sharp, bitter taste in his mouth.

Seeing her lying there on the hospital bed, so pale and still, he would have given anything to trade places with her, to bear the pain for her.

Once she was stabilized, Evelyn was moved to a private room.

Alexander refused to leave her side. He remained a silent sentinel at her bedside, his gaze fixed on her face, watching for the slightest sign of her awakening.

The outside world ceased to exist.

Hours later, his assistant appeared at the door, his presence breaking the quiet vigil.

"Mr. Blackwood," he said, his voice hushed but urgent. "There's news."

Alexander cast one last, lingering look at Evelyn. He rose and stepped out into the hallway, closing the door with the utmost care to not disturb her rest.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice a controlled calm.

He had ordered Margaret Blackwood to be held and questioned thoroughly about the events of that night.

"Margaret has confessed everything," the assistant reported. "Theodore Vance's interest in your wife has become an unhealthy obsession. He approached Margaret days ago. He promised to secure Harrison's release if she helped him drive a wedge between you and Evelyn, hoping it would end in divorce."

The assistant hesitated, then delivered the crucial piece of information. "It appears Theodore still has no idea of your true identity."

Margaret's confession painted a clear picture. Theodore believed Evelyn would be an easy target, convinced that Alexander was merely the powerless, crippled failure that Crestwood's rumors made him out to be.

Alexander's brow furrowed deeply. "If he isn't targeting her because of me, then what is his motive?"

A sudden, sharp intake of breath came from the assistant. "Mr. Blackwood... could it be that the woman Theodore has been searching for all this time... is your wife? His obsession is relentless. If she is the one, he will never stop."

Alexander's expression darkened instantly, a storm gathering in his eyes. The pieces clicked into place with terrifying clarity.

Evelyn was the one.

The very woman Theodore Vance had been desperately seeking.

"I don't care about the cost," Alexander stated, his voice cold and resolute. "I will make Theodore Vance pay for every single thing he has done."

Everything else was secondary.

Evelyn's safety was his only priority.

More time passed.

Suddenly, Evelyn was jolted awake, violently ripped from the clutches of a terrifying nightmare.

Her eyes flew open.

Her vision was blurred, her pupils darting wildly as they fought to focus.

After a disorienting moment, her gaze finally settled on the stark, white ceiling above her.

Confusion swamped her. Where was she?

Her heart hammered against her ribs.