Chapter 474
Feeling the envious stares of everyone around me, I couldn't help but smile faintly, a touch of grace in my expression.
Finally, at this stage of high society, I was no longer the nameless girl who could only look up to others. I had my own identity now, and I was a force to be reckoned with.
As my eyes drifted past Rowan's shoulder, I caught sight of him-Ethan, leaning against the bar, downing one whiskey after another. He stared at me intently from across the room, his expression unreadable. Several beautiful women approached him, but he ignored them, only focusing on his drink.
His lonely, desolate figure stung my eyes.
As the song ended, Rowan, ever the gentleman, bowed slightly and kissed the back of my hand.
The applause was thunderous, and the room was filled with whistles.
I smiled politely in return, ready to leave with Rowan, but then Ethan, clearly drunk, suddenly strode over to us.
"Ms. Wiley, would you do me the honor of sharing a dance?" He dropped to one knee and gently took my hand.
The room gasped, and camera shutters went off like crazy. This moment would surely be all over tomorrow's tabloids.
I instinctively tried to pull my hand back, but he held it firmly. "Evelyn, please, just one dance."
His voice was almost pleading.
"I need to talk to you."
I gritted my teeth, hesitating for a moment. Unable to bear the thought of his pride being trampled in front of everyone, I finally relented. "...Fine."
I nodded reluctantly, following him to the center of the dance floor.
He placed his hand around my waist, and I rested mine on his shoulder. The closeness of the position made me uneasy.
As the music played, we slowly swayed, almost as if time had rewound, taking us back to that night many years ago.
Back then, we had danced like this, on the set of Rivaria Holiday, under a sky full of stars. Memories rushed back, bittersweet and painful. "Evelyn, how have you been all these years?"
I smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Very well. The company is thriving, and my family is in good health. What more could I ask for?"
He didn't respond, only watched me in silence Those eyes, once so captivating, now seemed worn and weathered. I forced myself to look away, afraid I might drown in that ocean of emotion.
After a long silence, he sighed. "Evelyn, I'm sorry."
My heart skipped a beat. "Why are you apologizing? Didn't we already sever ties? Haven't we moved on?"
He shook his head with a bitter smile. "We'll never truly be apart. No matter how many years pass, my love for you has never changed."
For a moment, my vision blurred with tears.
"But it's too late..." I choked, barely able to speak. "We can never go back. Ethan, let's just end this... please."
Before I could say another word, he pulled me into his arms, his lips crashing against mine. I froze, my mind going blank.
Gasps filled the air, and the sounds of cameras clicking echoed around us.
But I couldn't focus on anything else. All I could feel was the bitter taste of alcohol on his lips and the overwhelming, suffocating emotion pouring from him.
Tears began to fall uncontrollably. After what felt like an eternity, he finally pulled away. Our foreheads touched, our breaths mingling.
"I won't let you go, never," he
whispered, his fingers gently wiping away my tears. "No matter where you run, I'll follow you. Because you're already in my blood, etched into my soul." noveldrama
I sobbed, unable to hold back the tears. "But it's too late. We... we can never be."
ine
He gave a bitter smile, the corners of his mouth twisted with pain. "No, it's never too late. As long as we're alive, there's hope. Give me a chance, please. Let me spend the rest of my life making up for the mistakes I've made. Vivian has nothing to do with me anymore."
I shut my eyes, tears streaming down my face. "I'm sorry, I just can't..."
With all my strength, I pushed him away and turned, running without looking back.