Chapter 382

Sebastian Valdemar stood by the window, his fingers lightly tapping the sill. He had long grown accustomed to the torment of waiting.

In the incense-laden courtyard of the ancient monastery.

Isabella Langley had just composed herself when she turned a corner and collided with Oliver Valrose. "Isabella," he murmured, his voice dripping with tenderness.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've been waiting for you." Oliver naturally took her hand. "You must be hungry. Let's get dinner."

The restaurant erupted in murmurs the moment they entered.

"Miss Isabella is back!"

"Please, have a seat!"

Dozens of eager eyes locked onto Isabella like spotlights. The Roland family barely had time to approach.

"Try this soup."

"Miss Isabella looks radiant today."

Amid the flurry of compliments, Isabella's smile widened. It had been ages since she'd basked in such adoration.

She glided through the crowd and linked arms with Sophia and Edward Roland. "Mom, Dad, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Starving, aren't you?" Sophia fretted, smoothing Isabella's hair.

Isabella produced a jade bracelet from her pocket. "For you, Mom. May you have peace and happiness."

Edward watched the mother-daughter exchange, crow's feet crinkling at his eyes.

No one noticed the slender figure darting through the shadows.

A gaunt little girl with sunken cheeks clenched her fists, eyes blazing with fury. "Liar!" she hissed.

The child took a shortcut home and flung herself into Alice Flores' arms.

"Nina, what's wrong?" Alice panicked at her daughter's tears.

Between sobs, Nina recounted what she'd overheard at the temple. "That wicked woman bullied Evelyn!" She stamped her foot in rage.

Nina would never forget that day—peeking through a doorway as Evelyn Roland smiled gently at her and slipped her a piece of candy.

"Monster! Evil witch!" The little girl cried herself to exhaustion before finally falling asleep.

In the kitchen, Evelyn's phone vibrated. A text from an unknown number flashed on the screen—a single glaring exclamation mark.