Chapter 3

Now, what went around came around—Evelyn was finally feeling that same kind of agony.

She totally deserved it.

Some of the more timid guests were already freaking out and running for the exits, muttering, "She's gone completely insane. Mrs. Stone is totally nuts."

By the time Evelyn had torn out all ten of her fingernails, Matthew finally showed up.

He walked over, face gloomy as a thundercloud, and said, "Are you out of your mind? Why are you doing this to yourself?"

Ignoring all the shocked stares around them, he scooped Evelyn up and carried her straight out of the banquet hall.

Everyone in their social circle was buzzing about it, but the media didn't breathe a word.

The women who trashed Evelyn got off scot-free—in fact, they even received an official apology from the Linwood Group.

At the hospital, Evelyn's wounds had been treated, and Matthew stayed by her side the whole time.

But he was stone-cold quiet.

That kind of silent treatment was just another form of cruelty, and it shattered Evelyn all over again. But she was too exhausted to make a scene.

So she just cried, tears pouring down her face, crying her heart out like her whole world had fallen apart.

"Matthew, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're torturing me, aren't you?" Evelyn demanded.

Matthew looked at her, expressionless. "What are you even talking about? Why would I want to hurt you?"

"Stop lying to me! You remember everything, don't you? You want revenge for her, right? You want me to pay for what I did to her—you're making me suffer just like I made her suffer, aren't you?" Evelyn said, her voice trembling.

Her tone wasn't hysterical; it was heartbreakingly fragile.

She looked like she was about to shatter into a million pieces.

It made me think back to the first time I met Evelyn—she was radiant, self-assured, and unapologetically ruthless.

Evelyn had been spoiled since day one. Even though her family was neck-deep in the underworld, she was Nicholas' only daughter on paper, and her mother's brothers were big shots with deep pockets. Nicholas showered her with endless affection, if only to keep her mother's family happy.

When Matthew first went undercover at the Linwood Group, he was just Nicholas' bodyguard. But Evelyn fell for him at first sight and made sure he was always by her side.

Before he lost his memory, Matthew gave all his love to me. No matter how much Evelyn tried to seduce him, he wouldn't even spare her a glance.

But after the accident, Evelyn tricked him—she convinced him they'd always been a couple, that he was head over heels for her.

Matthew believed her, and just like that, they really fell for each other.

But Evelyn never would've guessed—the happiness she felt when she tricked Matthew into loving her would come back around as pure misery.

Matthew gently stroked her face. "Seriously, I don't even know who you're talking about. Why would I ever hurt you for someone like that?"

His words were soft, but his eyes were completely empty. Since she couldn't see him, he didn't even bother to fake it.

"I'm talking about Claire Watson, the undercover agent. You really don't remember? You killed her with your own hands!" Evelyn started losing it again, laughing like a maniac.

Matthew's voice stayed calm and gentle. "Yeah, I remember. But so what? What's she got to do with me?"

Evelyn snapped, "You loved her! Before you lost your memory, I saw the way you looked at her—so much love, holding yourself back. You never looked at me like that! But what could I do? I loved you, and you only ever loved that bitch! Then you lost your memory, and I lied to you, told you you loved me, and you actually believed it! God, you're such a fool!"

However, Matthew gently rested his hand on her head. "Don't overthink it. I don't remember any of that. I'm your husband, and you're the only one I love."

"Then how did I go blind? What about all these scars on my body? And my fingernails... I'm not stupid, Matthew. You're doing this on purpose—you're getting revenge for her, pushing me to self-destruct! But what am I supposed to do? You're all I have left. Please, don't leave me. Please, stop hurting me, okay? I really love you, Matthew. Everything I've ever done was for you!" Evelyn sobbed, her voice trembling with desperation.

As she cried, the sedative in her IV started to kick in, and she finally quieted down, her sobs fading away.

Once she was asleep, Matthew turned and left the room without a backward glance.

Early the next morning, he got word that Evelyn had been kidnapped.