EVELYN's POV

I took several steps back in shock, my heels scraping against the polished floor as if the ground itself had betrayed me, and when he reached out to take my hand, I pulled away.

Hurt and confusion entered into his eyes, perfectly mirroring how I felt right in that moment. His expression—so open, so raw—almost made my resolve falter. Almost.

"Evelyn, I-"

"You lied to me." I said, my voice little above a whisper, "you deceived me."

The reality of the truth cut ...