Then.

Meanwhile, at Serenity Oaks.

Alexander Blackwood wheeled himself into the study.

The man the world saw as broken and worthless now stood tall before the floor-to-ceiling window.

All traces of despair were gone.

His gaze was icy as it swept over the world below.

His phone vibrated. Sebastian Hayes. His oldest friend.

"Alexander," Sebastian's casual tone came through. "I dug into your wife. Her record is clean. The story checks out. Her fiancé left her at the altar. She married you on the spot."

Sebastian's voice took on a mischievous edge. "Think about it. Every society girl in Crestwood runs from you. They see a disabled man, disowned by his family. A pariah. But Evelyn? She walked right up and married you. That takes guts."

A thoughtful pause. "I do wonder... what will she do when she learns the truth?"

Alexander's reply was flat. "She won't get the chance. The moment she realized who I am, she made an excuse and left. She's gone for good."

He wasn't surprised. After the accident, rejection became his constant companion. His low standing in the Blackwood family only deepened his isolation. He was numb to it.

People said marrying a man like him—a man with no future—was a waste of a woman's life.

Sebastian disagreed.

"I don't think she's like that," he countered with a grin. "How many women would swap grooms at their own wedding? My instinct says Evelyn isn't a runner. She married you. I don't think she'll just vanish."

His interest was clearly piqued. "You doubt me? Let's make a wager. I bet Evelyn returns. Soon. If I win, you hand over that prime land on the city outskirts. Do we have a deal?"

Alexander's eyebrow lifted. His tone was cool. "And if you lose?"

Sebastian scoffed. "I'm not going to lose."

A chilling silence emanated from Alexander's end. Sebastian quickly relented. "Fine, fine. If I lose, you can name your price. Anything of equal value. Deal?"

Alexander didn't believe for a second that Evelyn would return. A cold, dismissive sound was his only answer. Sebastian took it as acceptance.

Just as Alexander moved to end the call, a knock sounded at the door.

The butler's voice followed. "Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood is here."

The Wager

Evelyn stepped into Serenity Oaks, her suitcase rolling behind her.

The mansion was deathly quiet.

The air felt sterile. Cold. Devoid of any warmth.

Her eyes scanned the grand foyer.

The furnishings were sparse. Minimalist. Almost stark.

It was not the lavish home expected of a wealthy family's son.

Her gaze sharpened.

She was Alexander's wife now. That gave her the right to make changes.

She refused to live in this cold, lifeless space. She would make it her own.

As she mentally began redecorating, Alexander appeared.

He wheeled into view.

His dark, unreadable eyes locked on her.

Sebastian had been right. She had actually come back.

Surprise flickered within him, but his face remained a mask of indifference.

His gaze dropped to her suitcase. "You were gone all that time to pack so little?"

Of course not. She had also taken the time to teach Julian and Isabella a lesson.

Though the bitter thought crossed her mind, her voice was soft and neutral. "This estate is quite remote. And I've never been here before. I got lost. It took me a while to find my way. That's why it took so long."

Alexander gave a slight, noncommittal nod.

He turned his wheelchair. "Follow me."

Evelyn followed quickly, her steps light but hesitant.

She glanced at the wheelchair, debating if she should offer to push.

Before she could decide, he stopped.

The room was on the ground floor.

Evelyn stepped inside.

Bare walls. Minimalist furniture.

Like the rest of the mansion, it was clean and orderly, but cold.

"Am I staying here tonight?" she asked, uncertainty coloring her tone.

Alexander caught her gaze from the corner of his eye.

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips.

His reply was cool. "Yes. You'll be staying here. With me."

Evelyn froze.

Her heart stuttered.

Her eyes widened in shock.

She stared at him, struggling to process his words.

"What... what did you just say?"

Her pulse hammered in her ears.

Did he just say they would be sharing a room? Tonight?