His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 1125

Thaddeus’s gaze hardened, his dry lips pressing into a thin line. Gordon’s internal alarms blared, and he instinctively moved to stand in front of the hospital bed, a loyal guardian protecting his master.

Chad’s face, usually as serene as a calm spring day, was now etched with a rare, cold gravity. Seeing him storm in with such a thunderous expression, Emeric frowned slightly. This didn't look like a friendly visit.

“Mr. Chad, our Mr. Thaddeus is injured. Some rabid dog got off its leash and took a bite out of him,” Gordon said through gritted teeth, making it clear their guest was unwelcome. “He’s not seeing visitors right now. He needs to rest. You should leave.”

At his words, Chad’s eyes darkened almost imperceptibly. Gordon didn’t actually know who was behind the attack; he was just venting his anger. But his words, though spoken without specific intent, had struck a nerve.

Not wanting to air the Abernathy family’s dirty laundry in front of Emeric, Thaddeus shot Gordon a low rebuke. “Gordon, do not be rude to my brother.”

Chad ignored Gordon and turned to Emeric, his lips curving into his usual gentle smile. “Mr. Ashbourne, my apologies for the intrusion.”

Emeric offered a noncommittal smile. “No need to be so formal, Mr. Chad. I’m the outsider here. You and Thaddeus are brothers. I’m the one interrupting.”

“Mr. Ashbourne, my request may seem impolite, but there is something I must discuss with my brother alone.”

The message was clear: he wanted him to leave.

Emeric gave Thaddeus a long, meaningful look. “Thaddeus, you get some rest. I won’t disturb your chat.”

This man in the wheelchair had not only helped save his daughter, but his elegant and refined demeanor was as comforting as a spring breeze. No one could meet him and not be charmed. And yet, for some reason, Emeric couldn't bring himself to truly like him. There was a distance, a barrier that made him want to keep the man at arm’s length.

“Brother, whatever you have to say, you can say it here.”

After the recent attack, Thaddeus’s suspicion of his once-revered savior had deepened. He had no desire to speak with him alone. “Mr. Ashbourne is a respected elder. I haven’t seen him in a long time and would like to spend more time with him.”

Emeric’s eyes widened slightly, a warmth spreading through his chest.

“You can say what you need to right here,” Thaddeus continued, his voice firm. “If it’s not convenient, then it can wait until tomorrow.” He lowered his gaze, his posture signaling that the discussion was over.

A shadow passed over Chad’s eyes. His composure faltered as he spoke, his voice strained. “Thaddeus, Ms. Evadne was in grave danger. She nearly died in that forest. I just spoke with her doctor. She has two areas of severe frostbite. For a young woman, extreme cold can cause serious long-term damage to her body.”

He pressed on, his questions relentless. “Have you ever stopped to think, Thaddeus? Ms. Evadne is an experienced hiker. She knew a blizzard was coming last night. Why would she risk going up the mountain? Why wouldn’t she turn back, even if it meant being buried in the snow?”

Each question was a dagger aimed at Thaddeus’s heart. He opened his mouth to argue, but his throat felt as if it were pierced by a rusty nail. No sound came out.

Chad stared at him, his voice dropping to a low, chilling tone. “Because you broke your promise to her.”

“A… promise?!” The Ashbourne men were both stunned.

Alexia, who knew the whole story, wisely remained silent.

“She waited for you, but you never came,” Chad continued, slowly moving closer to Thaddeus, his eyes like dark, churning pools. “But she still stubbornly went up the mountain, disregarding her own life, because she couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t accept that the man who once loved her, who held her in the palm of his hand, would now cast her aside for another woman. She was waiting for you. She didn’t believe your heart could be so cruel. She didn’t believe you would truly stand her up.”

Leaning in slightly, Chad’s lips curled into a smile that was like a crack in a sheet of ice, revealing something monstrous that had been lurking beneath for years. “But you betrayed her devotion. Thaddeus, whether you want to admit it or not, the truth is right in front of you. Ms. Evadne is no longer important to you.”