âEvan, I heard that youâre getting married. Is it just a rumor?â
âNegative.â Evan shook his head.
âSo itâs real then?â Stephen expressed his astonishment.
Evanâs answer was brief and simple. âYes.â
âWho are you marrying? Donât you love Nicole?â
Iâm marrying someone I canât refuse.
Evan was certain that the one he loved was Nicole.
Thoughts flickered through his mind as he forced out a response. âNicole would be happier without me and the memories we shared.â
Stephen took a while to ponder the situation before he asked, âEvan, does this mean youâre giving up on her?â
Giving up.
The two words Evan did not want to hear nor think about.
I had no choice. This was the only way. Maybe Nicole not remembering anything was a blessing in disguise. Now, she wonât feel anything when she finds out Iâm marrying Susan.
âI wish her all the best.â
Evan had so many things he wanted to say at that moment, but those were the only words he could manage.
I⦠I canât say any more than that.
Silence ensued as Stephen stared at him. It reminded Stephen of the time he broke up with Rosalie.
Stephen recognized the look on Evansâs face. He was reluctant but helpless, forced to endure it all.
âFate is cruel,â Stephen stated after standing up.
Upon seeing the duke about to leave, Evan stopped him, hoping to ask for a favor.
âI wonât be by her side from now on, so please be wary of someone for Nicoleâs sake.
âWho?â
âYour wife.â
Stephen paused.
Evan would not say that without reason, and Stephen knew it. He knew Portiaâs personality very well.
Evan Seet, you still care about her.
âI understand,â Stephen replied as he turned to leave. The man had a lot on his mind.
After the duke left, Evan stood by the window. The faint city lights shining onto his imposing figure, accenting his lonely silhouette.
Never had he thought that he would be caught up in a situation like this.
Maybe letting go of her was the right thing to do.
While Evan was plagued by his thoughts, Susan suddenly walked in. âEvan, shall we get married tomorrow?â
âSure,â Evan muttered noncommittally, showing no emotions.
âThank you, Evan.â
His decisive answer looked like he was pampering Susan, but in reality, he was feeling indifferent.
There was no joy or excitement in his heart. On the contrary, his heart was as cold as winter snow.
The news about Evansâs marriage spread like wildfire. Soon, it was trending in every search result and mainstream media.
âPresident of Seet Group, Evan Seet, will be holding a grandiose wedding ceremony overseas.â
âSources say that Evan Seet, the president of Seet Group, and Ms. Susanâs wedding will be held tomorrow.â
Back in the country.
Sophia caught wind of the marriage and was astonished by the news.
âWhat on earth is this arrangement? Am I dreaming?â
This is outrageous! Do the parents actually have to find out about the marriage from the news?
She was not the only one confused about the whole ordeal. Davin, who was seated next to her, had his brows knitted too.
âHeâs definitely gone crazy! Why would he do something like this otherwise?â
âWhat did you see?â Sophia asked Davin. She wanted to make sure what she saw was not a hallucination.
He raised his head and replied, âMom, Iâm seeing whatever youâre seeing!â
âYour brotherâs actually getting married?â
Davin nodded firmly.
âNot to Nicole Lane, but to a woman named Susan?â
Another firm nod from Davin.
Sophia immediately shot up from her seat and exclaimed, âThereâs no way! Why would Evan do something like this?â
âMom, what are you shouting for? Just go ask him the reason!â
Sophia was clearly disoriented from the sudden bombshell of news. When she finally calmed down, âYouâre right; Iâll give him a call. That no-good son of mine getting married without letting us know? To Susan? What about Nicole? What about my grandchildren? Heâs in a whole lot of trouble!â
As she spoke, Sophia dialed in the numbers.
After she got confirmation from Evan, she was dumbfounded.
âEvan⦠Youâre not like your brother. Why would you do something like this?â