Chapter 41

"You still haven't told me where you're going." Alexander Kingsley crossed his long legs on the cramped sofa.

He casually pushed aside the floral dress beside him, his fingertips brushing against the cheap fabric's rough texture.

Evelyn Sinclair's wardrobe used to be his domain. These vibrant new dresses only appeared after she left.

For the first time, Alexander noticed how striking she looked in colors other than white.

Gone was that ethereal, untouchable aura. Now she radiated playful vitality.

Evelyn checked her watch. She'd be late for the team building.

"Lord Alex, I have my own life now." She paused. "Why are you here?"

"Come here." Alexander lazily lifted his arm, draping it over the sofa back.

The pose was an open invitation—one that used to send her rushing into his embrace.

Evelyn remained rooted, detachment flickering in her eyes.

Alexander's gaze darkened. "Will you come, or shall I fetch you?"

Her eyes darted to the open door.

The hallway was silent, but she knew Alexander never traveled alone.

With a sigh, she perched on the sofa's farthest edge.

"Alex—"

His hand shot out, yanking her against his chest before she could finish.

She struggled, but he flipped her beneath him. One hand pinned her wrists. The other gripped her chin.

"Skip the apologies," he commanded from above. "Quit Horizon Media. Come home. All is forgiven."

Evelyn knew this script by heart.

He wanted his usual release.

Just like before—impromptu visits to Royal Gardens, hurried satisfaction, then vanishing for days.

She'd been expected to wait on call, with no life or freedom of her own.

The absurdity struck her suddenly.

"Lord Alex—"

"Call me Alex." His thumb stroked her cheek, an uncharacteristic softness in his voice. "Keep using that formal nonsense, and I'll have your tongue."

"Alexander." She met his gaze without her old trepidation. "We're over. Show some respect."

His grip turned punishing.

"So?" A storm brewed in his eyes. "Rushing to Julian Ashford?"

Dolled up like this... for another man.

"It's a team building." Her voice was glacial. "Normal socializing. The kind of human existence I can finally have—now that I'm free of you."

A human existence.

She'd been his marionette before, every emotion tethered to his whims.

Alexander's laugh sent chills down her spine. "Did the Kingsleys mistreat you?"

"Your words, not mine." Her lashes cast shadows as they fluttered. "I was just the family's pet dog."

His jaw clenched.

She remembered every angry word, yet forgot years of care.

Such selective memory.

Unbecoming of a Sinclair.

"Lord Alex..." Nathan Carter's voice carried from the hallway.

Evelyn recognized his tactical timing—unlike Ethan Miller, Nathan knew when interruptions were safe.

Alexander shifted slightly, eyes still locked on her. "Wait."

"I'm traveling for business," he said abruptly. "Join me."

Evelyn froze.

Alexander never included her in his world, let alone work trips.

That invitation would've once sent her heart soaring.

Now, only quiet bitterness remained.

"Alexander," she repeated. "We're done."

Over. Finished. She'd said it countless times. He simply refused to hear.

Evelyn understood—it wasn't that Alexander couldn't accept their breakup. He simply didn't care about her feelings. His domineering nature conquered boardrooms but suffocated hearts.

"Lord Alex..." Nathan's voice came again. "We're on schedule."

Finally, Alexander rose.

His icy stare pinned her. "Be home before Patriarch Kingsley's eightieth birthday."

Don't test me, Evelyn Sinclair...

The door clicked shut.

Both Evelyn and Nathan exhaled in unison.

"Lord Alex?" Ethan Miller, now relegated to the car, proffered a steam eye mask. "The airport's still a distance. Some rest?"

Alexander had kept vigil outside Evelyn's apartment since last night. This noon's visit marked his first break.

He ignored the offering. "Send Nathan in."

Ethan's face fell. Was he being replaced?

Under Ethan's wounded stare, a bewildered Nathan entered the vehicle.

As the engine purred, Alexander spoke: "What exactly is her grievance?"

It was his first personal discussion with Nathan.

Nathan chose his words carefully. "Could it be... the Butterfly Brooch?"