His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 287

Evadne's crimson lips parted slightly, her heart pounding in her chest, momentarily taken aback.

She had thought that their shared hardships on the battlefield and their mutual dependency in the face of death had made a significant impression only on her.

Yet, she had not considered that Thaddeus too had been unable to forget, and had never given up on his pursuit of her.

Any other woman, with his ability, would not have been out of touch for so many years.

Regrettably, the "Paloma" he had been desperately seeking was none other than Ilana, the lady of the Ashbourne family, who was once wed to him.

After parting with him in Zenithia, Evadne had erased all traces of herself, especially when she was trying to evade her father's scrutiny and avoid being dragged back to Skyrim. So, when she became a Doctors Without Borders volunteer, she had used a fake identity and a pseudonym.

Her whimsical and cunning nature had made it difficult for Thaddeus, despite his resources and influence, to locate her.

"Evadne, why aren't you speaking? Did I say something wrong?"

Seeing her fall silent once again, Thaddeus panicked, softening his tone. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to express my feelings. Paloma was my lifesaver, and I had no ulterior motives towards her!"

When Thaddeus said that, Evadne's almond eyes shadowed over, her lips curling in a cold smile. "Yeah, back then, you were hot and heavy with Acacia. In order to be with her, you repeatedly argued with your grandfather, even lost your appetite and spirit for her. How could you have had eyes for any other woman back then? Even Paloma, the woman who saved your life, you wouldn't have seen her as a woman, would you?"

Each word was sharp as a needle, each phrase hitting a sore spot, each sentence piercing his heart!

Unable to bear it any longer, Thaddeus suddenly sat up, startling Evadne.

Their eyes met, his gaze burning into hers.

Evadne's breath hitched, the cotton wool in her hand dropping as the man swiftly gripped her hand, squeezing tightly, making her slender fingers flush with discomfort.

"Thaddeus! What are you doing, it hurts!"

"Evadne, I've made many mistakes in the past, and I deeply regret them. I've been repenting, and I've been trying to make it up to you. I know you won't forgive me easily, or accept me, so I'm prepared to pursue you forever, until the day my heart stops beating."

Thaddeus' voice was husky, his eyes filled with a deep resolute pain. "You've chased me for thirteen years, and I'll chase you for the rest of my life. I always keep my word! Evadne, whether you accept me or not, you can't get rid of me in this lifetime. I am yours!"

Evadne's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding in her chest.

How had she not noticed before that this man was so persistent, so clingy, so troublesome!

And he was hers? He wanted to offer himself to her, but she was not interested in his age, his blindness!

"Forever? I imagine you have made such promises to women before. That's probably why he can say it so smoothly, with such ease."

Evadne suppressed her racing heartbeat and painstakingly prying his fingers off with reddening eyes. "Back then, when you and Acacia were so in love, you must have made such sweet promises and grand vows, haven't you? At that time, didn't you repeatedly say in front of me that your wife could only be Acacia? You cast aside the woman you loved so deeply. You dismissed your own vows. How can I believe your so-called promises?"

Evadne let out a mocking laugh, her reddened eyes welling with unshed tears.

Thaddeus had hurt her too deeply.

Even though he had saved her life, even though he might now genuinely like her and regret his past actions, trying his best to make it up to her. Whenever she thought of Acacia, whenever she remembered how passionately he had loved that woman, she felt so hurt and tormented, as if she could never wake up from this nightmare.

Thaddeus looked into Evadne's cold eyes, his heart wrenching.

As she pried his hand away, he felt as though each of his fingers were being snapped off, the pain unbearable.

"Once, I was your wife, legally and rightfully. You were my husband, but you never belonged to me. Now you come and say these things, do you think I would be moved? Do you think I would care? You can chase me for the rest of your life if you wish. I don't care. But stop talking to me about it." Evadne tasted bitterness on her tongue, her voice unexpectedly choked up.

"Alright, I won't say anything else. I won't say it."

Thaddeus couldn't bear to see her like this, quickly kneeling in front of her, raising his face with a trembling throat, his cold eyes filled with humble affection for her.

Then, he took her hand and kissed the back of it deeply.

Evadne's pupils contracted, her cheeks turning an embarrassing red. She momentarily forgot to pull her hand away.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I talk too much. I'm too nosy. Can you forgive me this time, Ms. Evadne?" Thaddeus looked at her with sincere regret in his eyes, his handsome eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Good heavens! Was this the same man who was so intimidating in Elmsworth?

Was this the same man who was so decisive and commanding in the corporation?

He was so humble that even a dog would feel superior!

"Ahem." Evadne's cheeks reddened as she cleared her throat, not uttering any words of forgiveness, but merely looking at the strong and handsome man kneeling in front of her.

Inside, she was secretly thrilled!

"What were you doing tonight? How could you be so weak, just standing there and taking a beating from your old man?"

Evadne's eyebrows knitted together in anger, and she poked his forehead with her fingertip, her tone fierce. "You're thirty years old. Can't you fight back or resist? Are you his son or his slave?"

Jareth's outburst seemed to have done the trick.

Ten minutes later, Jareth was in the otolaryngology department with Marilla in his arms. The doctors, terrified of Jareth's wrath, conducted a series of tests on Marilla, with Lily and Jareth anxiously watching from the sidelines.

"So, how's her ears?" Jareth asked, unable to contain his worry any longer.

"The eardrum has been ruptured due to external trauma," the doctor explained, "I see a few cases like this every week. Most of them are caused by slaps to the ear. Some severe cases can lead to lifelong conditions like tinnitus."

Jareth and Lily's faces turned pale at the news. Hearing the words "lifelong condition" sent chills down Jareth's spine.

"So, can it be treated?" Lily asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Don't worry, the rupture in Marilla's eardrum isn't too big and you brought her here in time, she should be able to fully recover." the doctor assured them.

Jareth's brows furrowed at the word "should".

"It will! It will definitely fully recover! As long as she undergoes surgery, takes her medication and avoids strenuous activities and water for some time, she will definitely recover," the doctor quickly corrected himself, terrified of Jareth's piercing gaze.

"I hope so," Jareth replied, his tone cold and threatening, "or this would be your last shift."

The doctor nodded obediently. Jareth then turned to Marilla, his gaze softening as he comforted her, "Don't worry, Marilla. I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you. You'll be back with your family safe and sound."

Lily watched this tender moment unfold, her usually stoic face softening, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Jareth. I heard. Do I need surgery?" Marilla asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, a simple surgery. It won't hurt," Jareth assured her, his voice soothing.

"I don't want surgery. I don't want to stay in the hospital! I don't want to!" Marilla protested, her voice filled with fear.

Lily noticed that Marilla seemed to have a deep-seated fear of hospitals. It was as if she had some traumatic experience related to them.

"Are you sure, Marilla? You really want to become deaf? Then you won't be able to hear anything I say to you," Jareth reasoned.

Marilla hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Jareth knelt in front of Marilla, taking her cold hands into his, "Please, Marilla, for my sake, undergo the surgery. If not, your brother will surely have my hide. Please, Marilla, for me, okay?"

Jareth's plea seemed to have worked. Marilla wiped her tear-stained eyes and hesitantly nodded in agreement.