Alexander Blackwood was convinced that Evelyn Vale’s sudden change in attitude was nothing more than sympathy.
Or worse—
Pity.
And that realization left him feeling humiliated and helpless.
Even if he really was crippled, he didn’t need anyone’s cheap sympathy.
Evelyn stared at him for a moment before shrugging.
“Where exactly do you see sympathy or pity?”
She folded her arms.
“Besides, Alexander, do you really look like someone who needs sympathy?”
Alexander’s brows furrowed.
“It’s just a leg injury.
If you’re injured, you treat it.
You don’t sit around waiting for people to feel sorry for you.”
She leaned closer, smiling brightly.
“What use is sympathy or pity anyway?”
She tilted her head.
“Am I right?”
Alexander suddenly felt the warmth of her breath against his skin.
A faint, sweet fragrance surrounded him.
His heart unexpectedly skipped a beat.
He instinctively leaned his head backward, his expression immediately turning annoyed.
But this time, his annoyance wasn’t directed at Evelyn.
It was directed at himself.
What’s wrong with me?
She was only a young woman.
How could something as simple as her getting close make him lose his composure?
Alexander cleared his throat.
“What exactly do you want?”
His voice became colder.
“I know very well that the person you like is Damien.”
Evelyn didn’t deny it.
“You’re right.”
She smiled without embarrassment.
“I did like Damien before.”
Alexander’s expression remained unreadable.
Evelyn sighed dramatically.
“My eyesight wasn’t very good back then.”
She looked directly into his eyes.
“But I’ve realized my mistake.”
Her smile became sincere.
“Now I like you.”
Alexander’s heart thudded.
Evelyn continued without hesitation.
“And from now on, I’ll be devoted to you.
I’ll be faithful to you, too.”
Alexander’s ears immediately turned red.
He glared at the woman who was inching closer to him.
“Just talk.”
His voice carried a hint of embarrassment.
“Don’t get so close.”
Evelyn blinked.
She hadn’t expected such a reaction.
She looked at him carefully.
Then her eyes suddenly widened.
“Wait!”
She pointed at his ear.
“Your ears are red!”
Alexander froze.
Evelyn’s smile grew wider.
“Alexander, are you embarrassed?”
She leaned even closer.
“I haven’t even kissed you yet.
Alexander’s face became even hotter.
“Evelyn!”
His voice was low and warning.
“What exactly are you doing?”
Evelyn couldn’t help laughing.
She was beginning to find Alexander incredibly amusing.
In her previous life, she had always thought of him as a block of ice.
Cold.
Unapproachable.
Emotionless.
But now she was beginning to realize something completely different.
Alexander wasn’t truly emotionless.
He was simply good at hiding his emotions beneath that cold exterior.
Underneath all that icy composure was a surprisingly shy man.
The discovery made Evelyn want to tease him even more.
Alexander’s heartbeat accelerated.
He pushed his wheelchair backward, creating a little more distance between them.
“Evelyn, what on earth do you want?”
Evelyn stopped smiling.
She looked at him quietly.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Her eyes were filled with so many emotions that Alexander couldn’t understand them.
This wasn’t the gaze of the carefree girl he remembered.
The Evelyn he had known before loved laughing, playing, arguing, and causing trouble.
She had been bright and impulsive.
But the woman looking at him now seemed different.
Her eyes were deeper.
Older.
There was something hidden behind them.
Something heavy.
As though she had already experienced countless hardships.
Alexander’s heart tightened.
The last time he had seen Evelyn had been three months ago.
What could possibly have happened during those three months to change her so drastically?
“Evelyn…”
His voice softened slightly.
But she interrupted him.
“Alexander.”
Her playful expression disappeared.
She looked directly into his eyes.
“We’re going to get married eventually.”
Alexander’s body stiffened.
Evelyn’s voice was calm and serious.
“I like you.”
She paused.
“Do you like me?”
For a moment, Alexander couldn’t respond.
Her question struck deeper than he expected.
He couldn’t deny that his heart had moved.
But there was still doubt.
Three months ago, Evelyn had openly told him that she loved Damien.
She had even asked Alexander to step aside so she and Damien could be together.
How could he suddenly believe that everything had changed?
What if she was simply acting?
What if she wanted to use him to provoke Damien?
Alexander didn’t want to become part of someone else’s game.
“I remember what you told me three months ago.”
His voice remained calm.
He looked at her steadily.
“You asked me to step aside and let the two of you be together.”
Evelyn’s heart sank.
She wanted to slap her past self.
What an idiot I was.
What kind of fool willingly gives up a man like Alexander?
She took a slow breath.
“I was blind.”
Her voice was sincere.
“I didn’t recognize the person who truly loved me.”
She looked into his eyes.
“But I’m not blind anymore.”
Evelyn’s expression softened.
“I know what I want now.”
She reached toward him but stopped before touching him.
“Alexander, let’s live a good life together from now on.”
Alexander’s heart trembled.
Her affectionate gaze made him feel strangely helpless.
He had stood alone against ruthless enemies without ever lowering his head.
He had faced danger without fear.
He had walked onto battlefields knowing he might not return.
Yet now…
He couldn’t even look directly into Evelyn’s eyes.
His gaze dropped unconsciously.
But the doubt remained.
What if she wasn’t sincere?
What if this was only pity?
And even if she truly loved him…
What right did he have to take a wife in his current condition?
He couldn’t even walk.
He couldn’t protect her the way a husband should.
Instead, he would become a burden she had to carry.
Alexander’s hands tightened around the armrests of his wheelchair.
“You should stay blind.”
His voice was cold.
“We aren’t suited for each other.”
Evelyn stared at him.
Alexander turned his face away.
He had already made his decision.
He would live alone.
That was fine.
He didn’t need anyone.
At least…
He could survive on his own.
But then another thought crossed his mind.
Right now, he needed someone beside him.
Someone to help him with basic things.
Someone to push his wheelchair.
Someone to assist him when he couldn’t manage something himself.
His jaw tightened.
Where the hell did that idiot Mark disappear to?
As though summoned by the thought, Alexander glanced toward the door.
Nothing.
Mark was nowhere to be seen.
Evelyn watched his expression change.
She noticed the slight discomfort in his posture.
Then she suddenly understood.
Her eyes widened.
“Wait…”
Alexander looked at her.
Evelyn asked innocently,
“Do you need to pee?”