Chapter 454

"Evelyn!" Sophie burst into the room with dramatic flair. "You won't believe what Dominic just told my fiancé!"

Evelyn's body tensed as she sat up abruptly from the bed. Her mind raced - why would he seek out Adrian? Unless...

"He announced he wouldn't attend our wedding, then changed his mind this evening!" Sophie's words tumbled out in an excited rush. "Now he's coming tomorrow! How fickle can one man be?"

A quiet sigh of relief escaped Evelyn's lips.

"Wait - why was he looking for you anyway? What did you two discuss?" Sophie perched on the edge of the bed, studying Evelyn's face intently. "He didn't give you any trouble, did he? I wanted to intervene but Lucas insisted on handling it..."

"Nothing happened," Evelyn replied evenly. "There were too many witnesses for him to make a scene."

"Good. Now - want to get some fresh air? The evening breeze is perfect - not too chilly!" Sophie suggested brightly. "No way you're sleeping this early."

Evelyn nodded without hesitation. "I don't have proper clothes though. Is this nightgown acceptable?"

Sophie's laughter rang out. "Half the guests are lounging by the pool in swimsuits! Your nightgown is practically formal wear!" She grabbed Evelyn's hand, pulling her toward the door.

The clock showed seven in the evening as elongated shadows stretched beneath the warm glow of streetlamps.

Dozens of wedding guests mingled along the moonlit shoreline.

The temperature hovered around sixty degrees - cool enough to be refreshing without being uncomfortable.

The salty ocean air cleared Evelyn's thoughts. "Dominic could use some of this sea breeze," she murmured absently.

Perhaps nature could restore his common sense.

"Hmm? I think he retired already. When he spoke to Adrian earlier, his face was flushed and his eyes bloodshot. Pathetic alcohol tolerance." Sophie's bare feet sank into the soft sand as she continued, "He insisted on staying in our villa complex... so Adrian gave up his room. Honestly Evelyn, how did you ever date such an eccentric man?"

"That's a past I'd rather not revisit."

Evelyn feared recalling the good memories with Dominic. During their relationship, the sweet moments had outweighed the bitter ones - he'd once cherished her above all else.

Back then, he consumed her thoughts completely outside of her studies. First loves carved permanent marks precisely because they introduced emotions never before experienced.

"Yet you're the one who brought him up first," Sophie teased mercilessly. "Seeing him tonight stirred something, didn't it? Especially after his little public declaration."

"We showed him videos of supermodels and celebrities earlier - zero reaction! His heart only responds to you... Evelyn, my friends are green with envy!" Sophie's grin widened. "When did you become such a femme fatale? Beauty truly lies in the beholder's eye, I suppose."

Evelyn cringed at the exaggerated praise.

"We actually argued tonight." Evelyn recounted the confrontation, adding, "He assumed I'm dieting for Eric's benefit."

"Seriously? What an absurd imagination! Next he'll claim you're preparing for a Hollywood debut!" Sophie dissolved into laughter.

"At my age? Modern idols debut before twenty, don't they?"

"Some break in later, but they're exceptions. So what did you tell him?" Sophie wiped mirthful tears from her eyes.