Chapter 1286


    Thssa shoveled forkfuls of mashed potatoes into her mouth, her gaze cast down at theforting


    swirl of her meal, avoiding any eye contact with Callum or Evelyn as she concealed the tumult of


    emotions within her.


    Callum didn''t mention Lysander, and that was fine by Thssa. She wasn''t ready to think about him


    just yet. But the mere mention of his name brought back the terrible memories on the boat, when


    Evelyn had fallen into water with no one could help.


    Lysander''s first instinct hadn''t been to save Evelyn. Instead, he tried to stop Thssa from diving in


    after her mother.


    If Lysander had jumped into the river to save Evelyn immediately, Thssa wouldn''t have been so


    frantic.


    His attempt was just to stop Thssa from jumping herself, and his pretense of concern was nothing


    but an excuse.


    In Lysander''s heart, he didn’t take Evelyn as his family or friend.


    This thought triggered a bitter surge of self-mockery in Thssa.


    Evelyn was her mother. How could Lysander value Evelyn when he seemed to barely care for Thssa


    herself?


    Moreover, considering the strained history between Evelyn and Bruce, it was already a miracle


    Lysander didn''t despise Evelyn outright. How could he possibly hold any warmth for her?


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    When Evelyn had been struggling in the water, Lysander probably felt a twisted sense of relief that she


    was finally getting hereuppance.


    The idea that he''d wish for Evelyn''s death was ghastly, yet there it was. How could Thssa expect


    Lysander to rush to save someone he secretly longed to see suffer?


    Thssa understood this twisted logic all too well, and that’s why she never sought Lysander''s help


    from the beginning.


    Upon hearing Thssa''s ount—that Lysander had only acted when it was clear Evelyn was nearly


    drowning—a thick wave of disappointment and sorrow washed over Evelyn from deep within.


    She had felt grateful to Lysander for saving her, but Thssa''s words painted a different picture.


    Lysander had let her flounder, perhaps even relishing her desperation. He still harbored hatred toward


    her.


    Even if Bruce wasn''t Thssa''s father, the undeniable fact of Evelyn''s past romance with Bruce was


    enough to sour Lysander''s feelings. How could he be gentle with a woman who had been intimate with


    his enemy?


    Evelyn felt like a burden to Thssa. Perhaps it was her past with Bruce that made Lysander unwilling


    to fullymit to Thssa.


    With a gloomy mood, Evelyn''s appetite waned, and her pace of eating slowed.


    Overhearing the conversation, Callum piped up, "Well, let''s be fair. Lysander did save Evelyn in the


    end. He''s a military man, a strong swimmer. A small river like that is a walk in the park for him."


    He seemed to be making excuses for Lysander, but to Thssa, his words stung.


    Sure, Lysander was trained, swimming was as easy as breathing to him. But he hadn''t reacted to save


    Evelyn immediately.


    If Evelyn had drowned, it wouldn''t have made a difference to him—perhaps he would even find some


    relief in it.


    "Mr. Gordon, we''re heading back to Starhaven this afternoon. What about you?" Thssa asked, trying


    to change the subject as she took another bite of her meal.


    This trip to Eldoria was supposed to clear her mind. But on the contrary, it had brought more


    embarrassment to her mother. It felt pointless now. Going home seemed the only sensible option.


    She wanted to drop the topic of Lysander and steer the conversation elsewhere.


    "We''ll take the train. I can book them on my phone, no worries," Thssa said politely. Read at


    NovelDrama.Org


    "My injury makes it tough to get around, so I can''t see you off. You''ll be fine getting to the station on


    your own, right?" Callum asked, always mindful of etiquette.