Chapter 375

Evelyn had no patience for games. Not a single second.

Yet Jonathan gazed at her with adoration. "Evelyn, you're dodging my question."

Disgust twisted her lips. "I swear on my life—if I ever have feelings for you, may lightning strike me dead. Do you understand now?"

Her brutal oath left him utterly speechless.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined being rejected so harshly.

In his mind, a divorced woman like Evelyn should be grateful for his attention. A successful man like him was a rare catch.

Still, he recovered swiftly. "Evelyn, there's no need for cruelty. I won’t hand that recording to the police—on one condition. Be mine. Once we're together, your brothers become family. I’ll let bygones be bygones."

This was a trap. Blatant manipulation.

How could he speak of family so casually?

The world truly was a twisted place.

She had thought her adoptive parents were bizarre, but Jonathan and Judith took insanity to new heights.

Good people were rare indeed.

Nathaniel had warned her about Jonathan’s cunning nature. So had Christopher. Now, she saw it firsthand.

Just as she suspected—he was using the assault incident as leverage.

Desperate, she offered, "Jonathan, we can compensate you. Name your price."

Judith’s eyes gleamed at the mention of money, but Jonathan dismissed it instantly. "I don’t want money. I want you."

Marriage would bind Evelyn to him—and grant him access to her brothers’ wealth. Far more valuable than a one-time payout.

Evelyn scoffed. "Jonathan, as your mother said, a divorced woman like me isn’t worthy of you."

"My heart belongs to you, Evelyn. Your past doesn’t change that."

"Then here’s the truth—I’m pregnant." She played her final card.

Judith gasped. "Pregnant? Is it yours, Jonathan?"

Evelyn nearly laughed. As if she’d ever let him touch her.

Calmly, she clarified, "They’re my ex-husband’s twins. I’m keeping them. If you still want me, congratulations—you’ll be a stepfather. Can you handle that?"

Jonathan’s jaw clenched. The thought of raising another man’s children sickened him.

But he forced a smile. "If it means having you, I’ll accept anything."

Money could buy him his own heirs later.

Evelyn hadn’t expected that answer. It almost sounded sincere—but her instincts screamed lie.

Christopher had spent days teaching her how to spot deception. No man would surrender his pride so easily.

Jonathan’s quick acceptance? Suspicious.

She narrowed her eyes. "What exactly do you see in me? Tell me, and I’ll change it."

Why would he chase an orphan with nothing to offer?

"I’ve proven my devotion. No other man would go this far for you. I’d even jump off a building to show you."

Madness.

Evelyn didn’t hesitate. "Jonathan, I’ll never love you. Not even if you die. That’s final."