Chapter 6

For five straight days, Aidan didn't return to the villa.

Evelyn gathered evidence and prepared documents for her move abroad, finding the days passed more easily than expected.

On her way home after running errands, she passed a bridal shop and saw Dayna in a pristine white wedding dress, blushing as she stood before Aidan. "Aidan, does this look good?"

Aidan, dressed in a formal suit, gazed at Dayna with tender warmth. "You look stunning in anything."

Evelyn lingered outside the shop. She had visited this store once, tried on the same dress Dayna wore, and looked beautiful in it, though she had come alone.

She knew Aidan would never marry her, but like any girl, she dreamed of wearing a wedding dress.

As she watched, tears streamed down her face. She pictured the naive girl she once was, smiling at herself in the mirror, eyes red with joy. That girl broke her heart.

The day before his wedding to Dayna, Aidan finally returned to the villa.

As he stepped inside, something felt off, though he couldn't pinpoint what.

Evelyn sat at the table, eating her last meal there, a lavish spread.

Aidan served himself a bowl of rice and sat across from her.

He hadn't eaten her cooking in a while and suddenly craved it. "Sweetheart, you were wrong the other day. Even if you're jealous of Dayna and me, you shouldn't have hit her. You've always known I'd marry her, haven't you? I've also said I'd take care of you and never let you feel neglected. So don't put me in a difficult spot again."

Aidan spoke slowly, staring at Evelyn. He had given her ten days to reflect, expecting her to realize her mistake, but for some reason, she hadn't reached out.

Tomorrow was his wedding, yet on the eve of it, he felt compelled to check on her.

Evelyn ate quietly, not making a sound.

She feared confronting him about his cruelty or breaking into sobs if she spoke.

Aidan sensed her distress and stood, pulling her into his arms. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make sure you're set for life. Oh, and this is the wedding ring for tomorrow. Dayna doesn't hold it against you for hurting her and wants you to present our rings. Don't be late."

He placed the ring on the table and left. "I may not come here much for a while. If you need anything, contact Gary. He'll help you."

Evelyn remained silent throughout.

Only after Aidan's car drove away did she finish her meal haphazardly.

She opened the ring box. The two-carat diamond ring, from a luxury brand, was worth about 1.5 million.

To Aidan, it was a small sum, but to Evelyn, it was substantial.

She called the jewelry appraiser. The last batch of jewelry and bags had fetched nearly 2 million. This unique ring should sell for even more.

Evelyn traced the ring, tears welling in her eyes. She had once dreamed of wearing a wedding ring from Aidan.

But that beautiful dream was gone, and she would never let them humiliate her again.

The next morning, Evelyn headed to the airport.

Before boarding, she discarded her SIM card.

Aidan, goodbye forever.

At the wedding venue, Aidan frantically dialed Evelyn's number.

He didn't know he'd never see that two-carat ring again.

But Evelyn had left him a wedding gift, waiting to be unveiled.