The CEO’s Hidden Bride: Leaving After 2555 Days - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

The moment Evelyn's words landed, Isabella's clique erupted in cruel laughter. Natalie's face flushed with anger as she moved to confront them, but Evelyn swiftly caught her wrist.
Evelyn remained composed, her gaze locking onto Isabella's as she spoke in an even tone. "The money was Lucas's decision. Just like those rumors about you—no matter how convincing they sound."
Without another glance, Evelyn tugged Natalie away.
Her words struck a nerve. Isabella's temper flared. In a blind rage, she shoved a waiter toward them. A tray of steaming soup went flying—straight for Evelyn and Natalie.
Then, out of nowhere, Lucas appeared. He pulled them behind him, taking the full brunt of the scalding liquid on his left arm. Angry red blisters formed almost instantly, his face paling from the pain.
Isabella hadn't expected him. Panicked, she rushed forward, reaching for his injured arm.
Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Lucas fixed her with an icy glare. "I've tolerated your behavior out of respect for the Prescotts. But if you keep this up, I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson."
Isabella opened her mouth to protest, but he was already walking away, guiding a shaken Evelyn and Natalie out.
The cold night air helped clear Evelyn's head. Noticing Lucas's burns, she dug his car keys from his pocket and drove straight to the hospital.
The nurse gasped at the severity of the injury and immediately called for a doctor. It was late, and Natalie had work early. It took Evelyn a while to convince her to leave.
Now, only the two of them remained in the ER. Evelyn turned to Lucas, who was barely masking his pain. Gently, she dabbed the sweat from his forehead with a tissue.
When his eyes met hers—heavy with guilt—he spoke in a strained voice. "This isn't your fault. She's angry because of me. If anyone should apologize, it's me."
Evelyn knew arguing was pointless. Silently, she went to fill the doctor's prescription.
By the time she returned, Lucas's wound had been treated. The doctor listed off a long set of aftercare instructions before finally releasing them.
Evelyn drove Lucas home. Stepping into the villa, she froze—the living room looked exactly as she remembered. For a moment, she was lost in the past.
Walter's face lit up the second he saw her. "Mrs. Sinclair! You're back! Mr. Sinclair has been waiting—"
He cut himself off when he noticed Lucas's injury. "Sir, what happened to your arm?"
Evelyn pretended not to hear. She handed Walter the medication, repeated the doctor's orders, then turned to leave.
Lucas's chest ached as he watched her go. He wanted to call out, but the words stuck in his throat.
Desperate, Walter hurried after her. "Mrs. Sinclair, please—don't leave again. For the past three months, Mr. Sinclair has done nothing but work and stare at the garden you planted. He talks in his sleep, begging for you to come back. He flies to Amethria every week just to see you, but he's too afraid to approach you..."
Evelyn stiffened. She had assumed Lucas had moved on—that he was living happily without her.
The idea was absurd. Hadn't he always loved Isabella? Why would he go to such lengths for her, his ex-wife? She pushed the thought away.
"Lucas and I are divorced, Walter," she said firmly. "That's over. What happens with the Sinclairs isn't my concern anymore. And don't call me Mrs. Sinclair—just Evelyn. It's late. I should go. Take care."
Without another word, she walked away.