Chapter 15
Claire faced legal consequences for her attack. Her career was finished.
I visited Alexander once in the hospital.
Seven years of marriage, now reduced to a tragic joke.
His skin was twisted and puckered, like scorched earth after a wildfire.
His eyes flickered with hope when he saw me. His cracked lips moved, voice hoarse: “Evelyn, you came.”
Looking at the man before me stirred complicated emotions.
I placed the flowers gently on the bedside table, my gaze meeting his scarred face.
There was no love in my eyes now, only complexity.
“Alexander, thank you for taking the acid meant for me.”
“I’ll always remember that you saved my life.”
Hope kindled in his eyes. He reached for my hand but stopped mid–air, his acid–scarred fingers looking particularly grotesque.
“Evelyn, I understand now. After all this, you must see I wasn’t lying–you mean everything to me.”
“Let’s reconcile. I was blind before. Please give me one more chance.”
“I’ll get reconstructive surgery abroad. I won’t look like before, but at least I won’t frighten you.”
My eyes welled up, but I turned away. “Alexander, I’m grateful you took that hit for me, but it doesn’t
erase what you did.”
“You deceived me for seven years. The trust between us is shattered beyond repair.”
Alexander’s expression dimmed, his lips trembling soundlessly.
I continued carefully: “I’m not heartless. But past wounds don’t heal with one act of sacrifice–especially when you created this situation. What happened to you was self–inflicted; what almost happened to me was collateral damage in your game.”
Silence fell over the room, broken only by Alexander’s shallow breathing.
06:38
Seven Years of Love, Seven Minutes of Trath
36.1%
Chapter 15
Looking at him in that hospital bed, I felt no anger anymore–pair Bone day exhaus
When love dies, no amount of remorse can revive in
Finally, I spoke softly: “Take care of yourself. I hope you find peace.
Then I walked away, my steps unwavering.
Months later, “Twilight’s Edge” premiered.
It was both a box office success and a critical triumph.
I swept the major film awards–the Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Best Actress. A rare “Triple Crown” achievement in acting.
As my career soared, so did my personal life.
Ryan and I found our way to each other.
This time, I was simply Evelyn–no one’s substitute, just myself.
