Chapter 109 See You Tomorrow
"Contract marriage?!"
Charlie felt a surge of anger, almost wanting to slap Edward. But what baffled him more was Evelyn. 'I thought Evelyn risking her life on the battlefield was crazy enough. Now, after disappearing for three years, she secretly marries the son of my arch-enemy? And it's a contract marriage?! What is she thinking?'
Edward's eyes widened, his chest felt like it was being crushed, making it hard to breathe. 'Evelyn's really leaving me. Three years of entanglement gone, just like that, after Byron's birthday party. But I need answers.'
"If I remember right, it was three years ago when we first met. When Bryon suggested you marry me, why didn't you refuse?" Edward asked.
Evelyn's eyes narrowed, looking at him coldly. "We're divorced now. Why dwell on it? Think of it as me being bored and wanting to try married life. Grandpa just gave me the chance."
"Evelyn!" Edward's voice was hoarse, eyes red. "I just want the truth from you!"
"Edward, the past is gone. The future is bright. Let's not dwell on what’s over." Evelyn extended her hand to Edward. "If we meet in business, we might be rivals. I won't go easy on you. Show me your strength, considering our past."
She almost said "for old times' sake," but thought, 'He never loved me, so what old times?'
Edward felt like a piece of his chest was missing, breathing heavily, unable to shake her hand. It felt like shaking her hand would mean they'd never meet again.
Evelyn shrugged and got into the car. As it was about to drive off, she rolled down the window, her face bright as the moon.
Edward's heart skipped a beat, but her next words made him freeze.
"Edward, see you in court at 9 AM tomorrow."
The car drove away, the wheels feeling like they were crushing Edward's heart.
Behind him, Byron wiped away tears, while Patrick's expression was complex.
"What? Now that she's gone, you realize how good Lily was? Regretting it?" Byron sneered at Patrick.
Patrick hesitated. "Bryon, I..."
"Edward's just like you! Blind as a bat!"
Patrick's face was full of frustration, gritting his teeth, unable to speak. He never imagined that Evelyn, who had been so low-key for three years, would turn out to be the most beloved daughter of the richest man in Hameen right after the divorce!
"Even though the Wellington family is big in Mugden, if word got out about a marriage alliance with the Taylor family, their stock would skyrocket! But now, it's all for nothing."
Late at night, Evelyn sat in the car, staring out the window, feeling lost and cold inside. She kept replaying Edward's frustrated and unwilling look when he asked why she married him, as if she had abandoned him.
'Edward could never love me. If three years wasn't enough, what would be? Now he's acting bitter and resentful because Charlie was there, trying to justify his heartlessness.'
Evelyn clenched her fingers and shook her head.
"So, why did you marry him?" Charlie asked through gritted teeth, fists clenched.
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Charlie, let it go. It's in the past."
"It's not over!" Charlie shouted, startling the driver and William in the passenger seat. "My precious daughter, married to Edward Wellington for three years and now divorced! If I hadn't come to Byron's party, were you planning to keep it from me forever?!"
"So how did you come? Did Patrick invite you?" Evelyn tried to change the subject.
"Don't change the topic!"
"Well," Evelyn pressed her fingers to her lips, "because he's handsome."
"Which of my sons isn't more handsome than Edward?!" Charlie shouted.
"Well, none of your sons can marry me."
Charlie was choked up, continuing angrily, "How much jewelry did they give? How many shares? How many luxury houses and cars?! The marriage of the Wellington Group's CEO is a big deal. Why didn't I see any media coverage? With Patrick's style, he'd be bragging everywhere."
"You forgot, I married Edward under a false identity for three years. They didn't know I was your daughter."
Evelyn was initially down, but Charlie's words almost made her laugh. "I'm not one for high-profile events, so our wedding was simple."
Charlie thought of how the Wellington family had ostracized her, making him so angry he wanted to bankrupt them tomorrow.
"Evelyn, you hid your identity just to marry Edward Wellington. Are you crazy or stupid? This isn't like you at all!" Charlie still looked incredulous.
Evelyn wasn't crazy or stupid. She just loved Edward too much and wanted to marry him badly.
Evelyn smiled bitterly, gently holding Charlie's cold hand. "These three years, Edward treated me well. I never lacked anything, and he never bullied me. We parted on good terms, Dad. Don't worry about me. Look, I'm back safe and sound."
"What else could I do?" Charlie was both angry and heartbroken, his rugged face suddenly looking several years older. "Anyway, you married under a false identity, so Edward's ex-wife is that unlucky Lily, not Evelyn! No one is worthy of Evelyn!"
"That's the right way to think!" Evelyn hugged Charlie, leaning on his shoulder.
