Thaddeus was a genius with the emotional intelligence of a child. If it hadn''t been for Evadne, he would have gone his entire life without understanding women.


    Chad, on the other hand, was his antithesis. He was born with a heightened sensitivity and an astonishing ability to read people. A brief interaction, a single look into someone''s eyes, was all he needed to see through their facade and discern their true feelings.


    Right now, for instance, he saw the fear in Evadne''s heart.


    She wasn''t the first to look at him that way. He usually dismissed it as awe.


    But with Evadne, it was different. He didn''t like her looking at him like that.


    "Mr. Abernathy, what are you doing here?" Evadne asked, collecting herself and avoiding his deep, vortex-like eyes.


    "Grandfather told me you wereing tonight, so I waited for you here," Chad replied, his voice soft, his eyes filled with a tender affection.


    The crowd gasped.


    What did that mean? A subtle, public deration of love? Could it be that he was also in love with Evadne? She had been his brother''s woman. Did he truly not care?


    The reporters, sensing a new scandal, surged forward again.


    Chad''s gaze darkened. He lifted a hand and, in a smooth, natural motion, wrapped his arm around Evadne''s shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. For someone who appeared so gentle, the gesture was incredibly possessive, radiating an unspoken warning to all others.


    A shiver ran down Evadne''s spine. Being held by him felt like being swarmed by a hundred ants. She tried to squirm free, but the dense crowd trapped her, and she was forced to move forward, enveloped in his hold.


    Suddenly, her heart seized. She looked up and saw him.


    Thaddeus. A solitary, proud figure standing just a few feet away, watching her with a nk expression.


    Their eyes met, and Evadne felt a


    hot rush of tears, a storm of emotions churning within her. The short distance between them fel like an impassable chasm of mountains and rivers, of a thousand years.


    *Thaddeus!*


    Her lips trembled, parting slightly. She was so close to calling his name. If he would just take one step toward her, just one, she would run to him without a second thought.


    But in the next instant, he turned away. As if he had seen nothing at all, he walked away without a backward nce.


    A wave of crushing disappointment crashed over her, chilling her to the bone. The unshed tears in her eyes shimmered.


    "You saw him, didn''t you?" Chad murmured, his lips close to her ear, his soft voice meant only for her.


    "What are you trying to say?" Evadne''s voice was an unsteady whisper.


    "Ms. Ashbourne, I told myself more than once that if Thaddeus ever regretted his decision and wanted you back, I would step aside without hesitation. I would support you, bless you." Chad looked down at the woman in his arms, his gaze deepening it seems I was worried for nothing." <fn2ae0> For original chapters go to FindN()vel</fn2ae0>


    Evadne gritted her teeth against the pain and squeezed her eyes shut.


    Meanwhile, Thaddeus walked alone down the corridor, leaning against the wall for support. He felt as though his heart was a house being tansacked, its contents stolen piece by piece by his brother underthe guise of nobility. By the time he looked back, all that remained was a deste, empty ruin.