It was the first time Amora had heard Evan speak to someone in such a gentle,coaxing tone,like soothing a child.

He used to treat her like that,too.When exactly had he changed?

A dull,tight pain formed in her chest as she watched Belinda wander around the house,picking through the items like she was shopping in a clearance sale.

"I don’t like this."

"This one’s too old-fashioned."

Belinda tossed the decorations and framed photos that Amora had carefully arranged into a large sack.

Among them were also the gifts she and Evan had exchanged over the years.

Evan looked at Belinda dotingly,as if nothing was wrong at all.

Well,that was fine.At least she did not have to be the one to throw them away.

After packing up her chosen things,Belinda blinked innocently.

"Amora,where do you think I should put all these?"

Just as Amora was about to say throw them away,Evan interrupted her,"Put them in the attic.These random items should’ve been cleaned out a long time ago."

Random items?These were the memories of eight years of their relationship.

Now they had become disposable clutter,things to be packed away and forgotten.

Amora quickly walked to the cloakroom and pulled out all the jewelry and handbags.

Every one of them had been a gift from Evan.

At that moment,she almost lost control and cried in front of Evan and Belinda.

Taking a deep breath,she snapped a quick photo and uploaded it to an auction website.

Since Evan no longer cared about those memories,she figured she might as well let them go,too.

Evan stood in the doorway of the room,looking slightly puzzled."What’s going on?"

Amora replied casually,"Nothing,I just wanted to take everything out and have a look."

Evan seemed like he wanted to ask more,but Belinda pulled him away.

"Evan,come with me to the party tonight.I don’t want to go alone."

Evan agreed,"All right."

By nine that evening,Moonlite Bar was packed with people.Amora downed her drink in one gulp and her cheeks flushed red almost instantly.

A friend beside her asked curiously,"How much do you think all that stuff will go for?"

Amora replied,"A few thousand dollars?Nowhere near what he gives Belinda in a single month."

Her friend was indignant."I didn’t expect him to be such a scumbag."

Amora chuckled softly."Yes,I suppose it’s all my fault for being blind."

Her friend was just about to say something comforting when a familiar voice came from the next VIP room.

"Evan,my bro,I really admire you.You stayed with an older woman for eight whole years.Like,how did you not get tired of her?"

"You spend your days around young,sexy girls like our Belinda.How could you not be tempted?"

"But hey,Amora’s still a pretty one.Once you dump her,I’d love to have a turn myself."

Before Evan could respond,Amora heard Belinda’s delicate voice follow.

"Evan is just too kind-hearted.That’s why he can’t bring himself to break up with her."

"But Evan,tell me honestly.Do you like me more,or Amora?"

And then,unmistakably,came Evan’s voice,"Of course I like you more."

The very next second,Amora picked up her wine glass and pushed the door open,stepping into the room.

"What are you all talking about?Mind if I join in?"

The room instantly fell silent.Everyone exchanged glances,awkward and stiff.

It was Belinda who broke the silence first."Oh,Amora,you wouldn’t understand.This is how young people joke around."

Someone in the room let out a low chuckle.

Amora looked at her calmly and said,"Belinda,I sincerely wish you’ll never grow old and stay twenty years old every single year."

Belinda’s smile froze and her expression darkened instantly.

However,Amora was not done yet.

"And Evan Delmare…Don’t you think the people around you have rather foul mouths?"

"Or is it that you’ve simply gotten used to it by now?"

Belinda immediately caught the sting of sarcasm in her voice and looked like she was about to stand up,but Evan reached out and stopped her.

His face darkened."Amora,there’s no need to fuss with youngsters."

Once again,he chose to stand in front of Belinda and shield her.

Amora gave a cold,mocking smile and turned to walk away.

However,just as she stepped outside the room,her body suddenly gave out.She felt a wave of weakness and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Amora braced herself against the wall and shook her head.

The very next second,a sharp cramp twisted through her abdomen,causing her to stumble forward a few steps.

That was when she saw Evan holding Belinda in his arms,their lips practically touching.

She had known this would happen.She had known for a long time.So why did her heart still ache like this?

Her friend immediately noticed something was wrong and rushed forward to steady her.

"Evan…"

Amora shook her head,bit back the pain and pulled her friend toward the exit.

"It’s no use.Let’s just go to the hospital."

Her friend sighed and helped her into the car without another word.

Back in the private room,Belinda’s eyes revealed a glint of calculation.She had noticed that Evan had wanted to go after Amora just moments ago.

So she quickly clung to him,feigning panic as an excuse to keep him close.

She coaxed Evan into her car and spoke in a soft tone,"Evan,feel my heartbeat.Can you tell how fast it is?"

Evan’s Adam’s apple moved slightly.He knew perfectly well that she was trying to seduce him,but even so,he still leaned in and kissed her.

As their atmosphere grew more heated,his phone suddenly began to ring.

The caller ID displayed Amora’s name,but before he could react,Belinda reached over and ended the call.

"Evan,don’t stop...keep going…"

Evan smiled indulgently."You little minx."

Meanwhile,at the hospital,Amora’s friend scowled and said sharply,"You had the nerve to drink after a miscarriage?Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"If it weren’t for Evan,you wouldn’t have lost the baby in the first place."

"I’m calling him right now and demanding that he apologize!"

She grabbed Amora’s phone and dialed again.

Amora knew her friend was only acting out of concern.She said gently,"I’m fine.I realize it was my mistake.I won’t ever touch alcohol again."

"Don’t bother calling.He won’t answer anyway."

But three seconds later,the call was picked up.

Amora’s face showed a flicker of surprise.

Her friend breathed a sigh of relief."Looks like he still has a shred of conscience after all…"

Before she could finish her sentence,a breathy,panting sound came through the speaker,cutting her off mid-thought.

"Evan,you sure you won't leave me?Or do you just like my body?"

The man’s voice was low and hoarse."Yes,I can never leave you."

The woman’s panting grew louder and louder.

Her friend slammed the phone down and cursed angrily."Disgusting.The two of them deserve each other.What a pair of trash."

Amora’s expression remained calm."Trash with trash.It’s actually a pretty good match."

Meanwhile,Belinda glanced at the screen behind Evan,seeing that the call had been disconnected.

A triumphant smile appeared on her face.In her mind,Evan was already hers.

So what if he had been in love with Amora for eight years?That love had faded long ago.

She was destined to become Agatha,standing proudly and publicly beside Evan.

Amora was hospitalized for an entire week,yet Evan did not call or visit her even once.

Belinda,however,sent her endless messages without pause.

That week,Evan had stayed at home,spending all his time with her.

[Amora,the bed you picked out is still super comfy.We tossed and turned all night and it didn’t even make a sound.]

[And the sofa you chose…Why do you think Evan has such a strong desire lately?He wants me anytime,anywhere.]

[Oh wait,I forgot.It must be because you didn’t fulfill his needs as a girlfriend.You couldn’t satisfy him,could you?]

Amora closed her eyes.Just one more week and she could finally leave.

When she was discharged from the hospital,she went straight to the villa.

She entered the code on the keypad several times,but each time,the screen displayed the same message.Incorrect password.

Evan opened the door with a frown."Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?"

Amora responded flatly,"Afraid I’d catch you doing something shameful?"

"And why did you change the passcode?"

There was a flicker of guilt in Evan’s eyes."The new code is Belinda’s birthday.She asked me to change it."

Her birthday?

He always said he saw Belinda as a little sister,but his actions betrayed him again and again.

Amora did not respond.She stepped into the house and immediately noticed how much had changed in just one week.

The entire villa now felt like a shared space between Evan and Belinda.

Before she could say anything,Evan spoke up."Amora,you really need to stop overreacting.You’re not a child anymore.Running away from home over a mood swing?"

"And last time you barged into my party,but I didn’t even say anything about it…"

So,he did not even know she had been hospitalized.He just thought she was sulking.

There was a time when he treated her like the most precious thing in his life.

"Evan Delmare will always love only Amora Mireille."

"I’ll stay by your side forever."

His heartfelt promises replayed in her mind,slowly overlapping with the cold,indifferent man standing before her now.

Seeing that Amora remained silent,Evan’s tone turned impatient.

He reached out and grabbed her arm."Why aren’t you saying anything?"

"Are you still upset about Belinda?She’s young and carefree.Do you really have to take everything so personally?"

Amora hid the storm in her eyes,just as she was about to respond,her phone rang.

It was Finneas,speaking in a relaxed,casual tone."Amora,I’ll come pick you up next week."

Amora was caught off guard.She pulled her arm free from Evan’s grip,stepped aside and replied softly,"There’s no need.I can get there on my own."

Finneas chuckled lightly."Actually,I just can’t wait to see you."

Amora froze for a moment,but before she could say anything else,the call had already ended.

Evan narrowed his eyes in displeasure."Where are you going?"

Amora masked her unease and said calmly,"It’s nothing.It’s my friend's birthday.I promised I’d stop by for dinner."

Evan did not even question it and said,"You need to apologize to Belinda for what happened at the last party."

Amora’s eyes glinted with sarcasm.She gave a cold smile."You talked about me behind my back and now you expect me to apologize?"

Evan’s tone grew impatient."Don’t forget,the Elowen Family is one of our company’s most important partners.Her father personally asked me to take good care of her."

Amora replied indifferently,"Evan,who are you trying so hard to please?Whoever it is,it’s none of my concern."

Evan frowned."Please?Amora Mireille,you’re being completely unreasonable."

"I’ve got an emergency meeting.I need to head to the office now.Calm yourself down and I expect to hear that you’ve apologized to Belinda by tonight."

With that,Evan slammed the door and left.

A moment later,Belinda sauntered out of the master bedroom,dressed in a revealing silk nightgown.

"Amora,why do you always upset Evan the moment you come back?"

"I’ve been absolutely exhausted lately.Evan says you’re boring in bed and you never sleep well either."

"And by the way,I'm pregnant with his child."

As she spoke,Belinda gently rested a hand on her belly,pride gleaming in her eyes.

A sharp pain flashed across Amora’s face as her mind drifted to the baby she lost on that snowy night.

Belinda,mistaking the look on her face for jealousy,raised her chin even higher and added with a sneer,"You and Evan were together for eight years and you still never managed to get pregnant."

"Is it because you’re infertile?"

"Is that why the Delmare Family never accepted you?"

Amora recalled how,after they got married,Evan had slowly begun to neglect her,blaming it on his career.

In the beginning,they still had a normal married life.However,then he started coming home later and later and became increasingly distant and unwilling to even touch her.

"Amora,the company is really busy right now.We can have kids anytime."

"I’ll be on a business trip for a while.Take good care of yourself."

Then,three months ago,Evan came home drunk and slept with her again.

She had thought that meant they were finally reconnecting,that their marriage might go back to the way it used to be.

Unfortunately,she was wrong.

It turned out that he had already betrayed her long ago,using work and travel as excuses to keep his affair hidden.

A bitter sneer tugged at Amora’s lips.She grabbed the water cup from the table and splashed its contents directly onto Belinda’s face.

"Does your father know that his daughter is sleeping with someone else’s man?"

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose everything and disgrace both the Elowen Family and the Delmare Family?"

Dripping wet,Belinda screamed,"Amora Mireille,how dare you throw water on me?"

"I’m telling you,the engagement party for Evan and me is happening next week.You two were just dating,never legally married!"

"The title of Mrs.Delmare has always been mine from the start!"

With that,Belinda stormed off and slammed the bedroom door shut behind her.

Amora stood frozen.

Evan Delmare…he could not even wait until the divorce was final to get engaged?

One week from now,on the exact day she planned to leave.

Amora went up to the attic and dug out an old box."Evan,since you’re getting engaged,it’s only right that I,as your ex-wife,give you a gift."

Half an hour later,Amora closed the box and even tied it with a lovely ribbon.

"Evan,I wish you and Belinda a happy marriage and a lifetime of true love."

***

Three days later,Belinda hosted her birthday party at the villa.

Amora stood at a distance,watching indifferently as Evan and Belinda basked in the spotlight,surrounded by laughter and praise.

Just as she was about to slip away quietly,Belinda made her way over with a radiant smile.

She leaned in and whispered,"Guess what?If you and I were to fall into the water at the same time,who do you think Evan would save?"

"Today,I want you to give up on him completely."

The very next second,she yanked Amora into the swimming pool with her.

Amora was caught off guard and could not break free from her grip.

Just as she was about to lose consciousness from the lack of air,she saw Evan dive into the pool to pull Belinda into his arms.

Soaking wet,Amora struggled to climb out of the water on her own.

Evan held Belinda tightly,his face filled with concern and distress.

Belinda’s face was pale as she spoke softly,"Amora,I know you don’t like me…but how could you do something like this to me?"

"Did I do something wrong that made you hate me that much?"

Evan’s face turned stormy in an instant.He stood up and strode toward Amora.

A chill ran through Amora’s body."Belinda,it was you who…"

But before she could finish her sentence,a powerful force slammed into her,sending her tumbling to the ground.

Evan roared in fury,"Amora,how could you be so cruel?"

Amora looked up at the man standing over her in disbelief,as if he were a stranger."You don’t believe me?"

Evan’s voice was cold and final."Get out!"

This was the man she had loved for eight years.

Not only did he strike her over Belinda,but he was now kicking her out of the home they once built together.

Three years ago,he had blindfolded her and taken her to the villa’s entrance.

"Amora,this is my gift to you."

"This will be our home from now on."

But now,it no longer belonged to her.

Amora let out a bitter laugh and stood up."Fine.If that’s what you want."

"Evan Delmare,you better never regret this."

As she walked away,Evan was momentarily shaken by the sight of her retreating figure.

Could it be possible that she was not the one who did it?

However,when he saw Belinda’s pitiful and innocent expression,that fleeting doubt vanished from his mind.

Belinda was pure and gentle.How could she ever do something to frame Amora?

Also,given everything Amora had done lately,it was about time he stopped caring.

When Amora finally stopped walking,she found herself back on the old campus grounds.

She suddenly remembered the time capsule Evan had buried there the day she graduated.

Back then,she had begged to see it and he had teased her lovingly,"Amora,let’s wait until we’re eighty to open it."

Amora dug out the time capsule and saw that it was inscribed with,[Hello,80-year-old Evan,this is the 20-year-old Evan.]

[You must be reading this letter with our beloved Amora.Are your children or grandchildren nearby?

I’m so glad that you’ve loved her for all these years.

They say love can change in an instant,but Evan Delmare’s love for Amora Mireille will never change.]

Amora had not even realized she was crying until she saw her tears soaking through the letter.

"Evan,you changed a long time ago."

"We can never go back."

Her phone rang and she instinctively pressed the answer button.

"Evan,you love me the most,don't you?"

"Yes,I love you the most."

"You only love me,right?"

"I only love you.As for Amora,I just feel familial affection toward her."

Hearing the voices on the other end,Amora quietly tore the letter into pieces.The dull ache in her heart twisted like a knife,so sharp and suffocating she could barely breathe.

"Evan Delmare,I will never forgive you."

On the day of Evan and Belinda’s engagement,Amora climbed into Finneas’s car.

Finneas had striking features.He was handsome,but not in a sharp or overpowering way and his composed demeanor carried a quiet depth.

His shirt and trousers were immaculately tailored and his entire appearance radiated grace and control.

"Well,happy divorce?"

Amora gave a faint smile and looked down at the photo on her phone,a photo of Belinda and Evan side by side.

[Do we look like a perfect couple?]

Then more photos followed.

[This ring sparkles so much.Evan picked it out just for me.]

[This wedding dress?Custom-made by a well-known designer.]

[Amora Mireille,I actually pity you.Eight years of love turned you into a used-up woman.Who would ever marry you now?]

Amora blocked Belinda without hesitation and closed her eyes.

From this moment on,none of them had anything to do with her.

At the hotel,Evan felt an unexplainable wave of anxiety.

Four days had passed since Amora left and she had never returned.

He finally opened his contacts list and decided to do something,maybe to give her a way back in.

Evan called her several times,only to be repeatedly declined.Trying to contain his growing frustration,he kept calling.

[The number you are calling is busy...]

Then,Amora sent a message.[There’s a gift for you in the attic.]

Evan frowned and quickly replied.[Why aren’t you answering my calls?]

[Do you even realize what you’ve done wrong?]

But his screen lit up with a mark that showed that his message was not delivered.

Evan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Amora had blocked him?

He immediately stood up and made for the door.

His mother immediately grabbed his arm."Evan,where are you going?"

He answered,"She blocked me.I need to find her."

Agatha’s face turned cold."Today is your engagement party with Belinda.You are not going anywhere!"

Evan froze.He looked around and then his gaze landed on the event signage on a screen nearby.

[Evan and Belinda Engagement Party]

"Mom,what are you talking about?I thought today was just a regular banquet?"

"And Amora and I...we haven’t even finalized our divorce yet…"

Seeing his mother’s expression deepen into silence,confusion overtook him.

His mind went completely blank.He shook off her hand and rushed outside.

He reached the attic and pushed open the door,his heartbeat pounding harder in his chest.

Seeing everything had been cleared out,except for a single pink satin gift box sitting in the middle of the floor,his hands could not help but shake.