Chapter 402


    Chapter 402


    “Mr. Thaddeus has always worn a watch, not out of fondness, but as a means to cover the scar on his


    wrist.”


    Evadne, once his wife, couldn’t have missed that mark.


    But she had always assumed it was a remnant of his war days–a badge of honor from his time on the


    battlefield. She’d never imagined that behind that jagged scar was such a harrowing tale.


    “Perhaps you’re curious, Evádne, why Mr. Thaddeus clung so desperately to Acacia, a woman as


    vindictive, selfish, and vain as theye. It’s because he is a man of loyalty and simplicity. Apart from


    Acacia, he had never been with any other woman. The day he tried to take his own life, Acacia was the


    first to find him and save him. If it weren’t for her, he might not have survived,” Alva asserted, rubbing


    her tired eyes. “Moreover, as a child, Mr. Thaddeus wasbeled an illegitimate son. He was ostracized


    at school, and no one wanted to be around him. Acacia was the only one who stood with him. I used to


    wonder how a girl so young could possess such patience and maturity beyond her years. But it turned


    out, all of these were orchestrated by Elspeth, who used Acacia to control Mr. Thaddeus! Poor Mr.


    Thaddeus, lost his mother to Elspeth’s scheming and was manipted by the niece of his enemy. Why


    does fate have to be so cruel to him?”


    Overwhelmed by emotion, Alva broke down in tears.


    Stunned, Evadne felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her body was numb, and the


    overwhelming shock left her speechless.


    She despised Acacia, naturally.


    But now, she understood why Thaddeus had clung to that woman so tenaciously.


    Perhaps he had naively believed that Acacia loved him, that she genuinely cared for him, that she was


    his savior, his redemption.


    No wonder he couldn’t see Evadne back then.


    If she were in his shoes, she might not have been able to let go either.


    “Despite all this, Mr. Thaddeus truly regrets his past and haspletely let go of Acacia and the


    Stirlings,” Alva assured Evadne, looking into her reddened eyes. “Gordon told me about your discovery


    of Mr. Thaddeus‘ house in Sunset Ridge and your anger over it. You thought Mr. Thaddeus was holding


    onto that house because he still had feelings for Acacia.”


    “Alva.” Evadne began, her voice bitter and her eyes dull.


    “Gordon usually jokes around and is thick–skinned. But that day, he was crying in front of me, looking


    as pitiful as a monkey’s butt. He said if you and Mr.. Thaddeus can’t reconcile, he would consider


    himself a sinner for life. He’d quit his job after finishing hisst task,” Alva recalled, her heart aching for


    Gordon.


    “Quit? Why?” Evadne asked, her eyes wide with surprise.


    “He said the night Mr. Thaddeus broke up with Acacia, Mr. Thaddeus instructed him to sell the vi


    immediately and burn all things rted to Acacia. However, the real estate market in Elmsworth was


    bad and the vi remained unsold. Gordon, being preupied, forgot about it. He mentioned that Mr.


    Thaddeus was furious when he woke up at the vi after Mr. Jareth brought him there and you saw


    things you shouldn’t have. Mr. Thaddeus was so mad at Jareth that their twenty–year friendship was


    almost ruined.”


    Evadne’s eyes widened as her breath hitched.


    “Gordon was terrified. He said he hadn’t slept well for days. Now, the house has been dealt with, and


    everything rted to Acacia has been destroyed. He wants to apologize to you when the time is right.


    He’s willing to take any punishment you give him, as long as you don’t ignore Mr. Thaddeus.”


    “Alva. That issue has passed,” Evadne said, clutching Alva’s hand, her voice low and hoarse. “I was


    angry. I didn’t want to see anything rted to Acacia in his life. But now that the misunderstanding has


    been cleared, I’m not angry anymore, really.”


    “I understand! Mr. Thaddeus is a good man, he doesn’t have a wicked bone in his body. His only w is


    hisck of emotional intelligence. He can be really dumb sometimes! Seeing how upset you were


    tonight, did Mr. Thaddeus do something to upset you? Tell me, and I’ll teach that boy a lesson! I’ll give


    him a good spanking and make him apologize to you,” Alva said, her face filled with righteous


    indignation.


    Tears welled up in Evadne’s red–rimmed eyes. She wrapped her arms around Alva’s waist and buried


    her face in her chest.


    For a moment, she thought about telling Alva about the baby.


    But in the end, she swallowed her tears and kept the secret to herself.


    “Alva, thank you for telling me all this, and thank you for caring about me. I’m fine, really.”


    Late at night. Silence.


    Thaddeus sat alone in his room, his handsome face clouded with sorrow.


    Throughout the night, he had wanted to check on évadne multiple times but feared disturbing her.


    Alva didn’t mention why Evadne was upset when she returned, but she did have a long talk with him


    about Elspeth.


    In the end, Alva cried her heart out, but she promised to act as if she knew nothing about Elspeth to


    avoid alerting her.


    Now, the mes of vengeance were burning fiercely, and everything was being stealthily prepared.


    At this crucial time, they can’t afford any mishap. The slightest carelessness might prevent them from


    exposing Elspeth’s heinous crimes!


    “Mr. Thaddeus, I have this feeling. Evadne seems to be carrying a heavy burden, and I think it has


    something to do with you. But since she won’t tell me,! don’t know how to approach it.”


    “Mr. Thaddeus, although things seem to have eased between you and Mrs. Abernathy, it’s clear she


    hasn’tpletely warmed up to you. She still has reservations. So, you must be infinitely patient with


    Mrs. Abernathy. A woman’s heart is delicate and sensitive. Perhaps she remembered something


    unhappy from your past and it might make her ignore you. So, no matter how she treats you, just bear


    it. After all, you were the one who wronged her.”


    Thaddeus heaved a sigh, massaging his tense brow with a gloomy expression.


    He wasn’t impatient.


    Even if Evadne was moody with him for a lifetime, he would still indulge her and love her.


    He just wanted to know why she was upset.


    He had been pondering it all night, his heart aching, and his spirit drained, but he just couldn’t figure it


    out.


    At that moment, there was a knock on the door.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Just three light knocks, enough to awaken Thaddeus from his self–pity, like a ray of sunshine piercing


    through a storm.


    Alva had already gone to bed, and she had a more urgent and heavier knock.


    So the person outside could only be Evadne!


    Thaddeus‘ heart pounded. He dashed over to open the door in three strides.


    Standing in the doorway was Evadne, her mesmerizing eyes meeting his gaze.


    She was still wearing that sexy pink silk robe, her alluring figure barely contained. The sight of the white


    straps peeking out was enough to stir his blood.


    Evadne tightly pursed her lips, her wlessplexion radiant in the soft light, soft and smooth as


    porcin, captivating Thaddeus.


    He stared at her, his body burning with desire.


    He blushed, like a drunk man, utterly helpless.


    “Evadne.”


    “I can’t sleep, and I’m a bit hungry. I want somete–night snacks.”


    Evadne averted his hot gaze and lifted the white box in her hand. “I heard from Alva that you like


    sweets when you’re upset, so I got a cake. Do you want some?”


    Thaddeus suddenly felt his eyes well up with tears, and he pulled her into a tight hug.


    “Hey, do you want it or not?” Evadne was almost out of breath from his embrace.


    “Evadne, I’m scared.” He murmured in her ear, his voice choked with emotion.


    He was strong, handsome, and aloof, yet now he seemed as vulnerable as a wronged puppy.


    “Scared of what?”


    “Scared that you won’t pay attention to me anymore. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache as if


    it’s being stabbed.”


    Evadne’s eyes flickered, a wave of empathy washing over her.


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    She knew all too well how he felt.


    Once, during the three years she was married to him, she lived in constant fear, afraid that he would


    ignore her, afraid that he would divorce her.


    Now, having tasted the bitterness of love, it was his turn.


    Evadne walked into the room, opened the box of cake. The creamy strawberry cake emitted a


    mouthwatering aroma that made her swallow.


    But in Thaddeus‘ eyes, this cake was not as tempting as the woman in front of him.


    Compared to the cake, he wanted to devour her more.


    Evadne swiftly cut two pieces, picked one, and handed it to Thaddeus. “I never knew you liked sweets.


    You never told me. You never touched the pastries I made for you. I thought you didn’t like them.”


    Thaddeus took a big bite of the cake, his throat choking back bitterness.


    “It’s sweet, thank you.”


    “Take it easy, no one’s going to snatch it from you. I can give you mine too if you want.” Evadne tried to


    lighten the mood with a joke.


    He liked sweets because his childhood was bitter.


    Back then, even a piece of candy was a luxury for him. He wouldn’t dare dream of a cake like this.


    Later, when he was called back to the Abernathy family and became the envied young master, he could


    have anything he wanted, let alone a mere cake.


    But that’s how people are, when they want something they can’t have, once they have it, they don’t


    want it anymore.


    “Will I ever get to eat your pastries again?” Thaddeus asked cautiously.


    Evadne’s heart fluttered. She only smiled at him, not saying a word.


    He understood, forcing a smile, “It’s okay. I’ll learn to make some for you.”


    “Let’s do it tomorrow.”


    Evadne stabbed a strawberry with her small fork, pretending to be casual.


    “Okay, I’ll make some for you tomorrow.”


    “I meant me. I’ll go out and buy some ingredients with Alva tomorrow, and I’ll make some for you.” She


    scooped a spoonful of cream into her mouth, her longshes fluttering, her voice soft.


    14.55


    Thaddeus‘ eyes sparkled with excitement, happier than a child on Christmas.


    Tll go with you! I’ll make it with you!”


    “Suit yourself.”


    Evadne couldn’t help butugh at his excitement. She identally dropped a piece of cream onto her


    chest..


    “Oh my!”


    The silky cream slid down her chest, staining her pink robe.


    Thaddeus stared at her exposed bosom, round and firm, whiter and more enticing than the cream.


    His breath became heavier, his blood boiling in his veins. His lips quivered with unspeakable desire, his


    eyes filled with a hazy lust.


    “What are you waiting for? Fetch me a tissue. Ah!”


    Suddenly, Evadne watched as Thaddeus leaned over her, his body pressing against hers. Then she felt


    a warm sensation on her chest. She looked down in shock to see Thaddeus burying his face in her


    chest, licking off the cream that had soaked into her skin.


    His hot and wet tongue caressed her softly, his breath heavy and ragged. His hand roamed slowly up


    her slender arm. Evadne’s mind was buzzing, a tingling sensation spreading throughout her body. Her


    eyes clouded over, her mind no longer rational. As she leaned back, she couldn’t help but think, “Damn


    you, you really are a dog!”


    It wasn’t until all the cream was gone that Thaddeus reluctantly raised his head, gazing deeply into her


    eyes. “Isn’t this better?”


    “Of, of course not.”


    At this moment, Evadne’s chest was blushing from love bites!


    She turned her face away in embarrassment, her breath ragged, and beads of sweat were forming on


    her forehead.


    Thaddeus was no better, both of them looked as if they had just finished a passionate lovemaking


    session.


    Different, just in varying degrees of resilience.


    “Thaddeus, you’re taking too much liberty!” Evadne pouted her rosy lips, her delicate indignation being


    irresistibly attractive.


    Her sweet voice, even carrying a hint of a seductive sob.


    Thaddeus was deeply moved, yet what he feared more was her anger, her indifference.


    “Evadne, I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.”


    The next second, Thaddeus felt a blur in his sight.


    Evadne suddenly hooked her arms around his neck, arched her slim waist, pressing against his solid


    midriff.


    She mustered up her courage, her innocent soft lips silencing his words, her cherry–red tongue


    exploring his lips, effortlessly capturing him.


    No, it should be said, against her, whether in body or mind, he was always defenseless.


    Thaddeus shivered, his heart pounding wildly, his mind nk!


    This was the queen he held in his palm, unrivaled in nobility, kissing her fervently loyal subject for the


    first time.


    This was a reward, a coronation, an honor. It was the joy of dying without regret!


    Thaddeus could no longer restrain himself, his hand tightly gripping her slender waist, almost brutally–


    reciprocating her kiss.


    Their mouths, filled with the sweet taste of blood, yet they couldn’t care less, kissing as if there was no


    tomorrow.


    The moon shone brightly, two shadows intertwined in a romantic dance.


    In the depth of their passion, their fingers tightly interlocked for the first time, resembling amitted


    couple.


    Having made lovest night, continuing tonight, he still feared her delicate waist couldn’t bear it, even


    though he was far from satisfied.


    Evadne, half–dreaming in his arms, struggled to describe the feeling exhausted, yet deeply indulged.


    Thaddeus looked deeply at the woman in his arms, finally unable to restrain himself from speaking.


    “Evadne, can we….


    “Hmm?”


    His voice abruptly stopped, after a moment of inner struggle, he bitterlyughed.


    “Never mind, it’s good this way. It’s perfect.”


    Evadne found the mostfortable position in his arms and closed her eyes.


    In fact, she knew very well what he wanted to ask her.


    But at this moment, she didn’t want to give him an easy answer.


    Thaddeus sighed, kissed her forehead and whispered, almost resignedly, “Evadne, whether you love


    me or not, whether you want me or not, it’s your choice. But I’ll always be yours. I’ll always love you.“