His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

hapter 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 llana, 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?”

“Do you feel sorry for me?” Thaddeus‘ eyes narrowed.

“You saved my life. You’re like my patient. It’s only natural for me to care about your health due to my

Hippocratic Oath.” Evadne was stubborn.

“So, you do feel sorry for me.”

Thaddeus looked at Evadne with the gentlest of eyes, his thin lips adorned with a smile that exuded a

sense of amicability. “A beating in exchange for a single word of concern from you, Evadne? I think

that’s a fair trade.”

“What?” Evadne exploded into laughter, her disbelief palpable.

“Such a fool,” she muttered, “maybe you ought to take a trip to the hospital and get that brain of yours

checked.”

Meanwhile, Jareth, with Marilla in tow, was rushing to the nearest hospital at breakneck speed. From

the moment they stepped out of the car, Jareth had held Marilla tight in his arms, his eyes red with

worry, a storm brewing within them.

Jareth, the man who had always walked the line between good and bad, the man who could stand his

ground even when the world was falling apart around him, was seldom seen so scared for a woman.

Lily, his ever–loyal assistant, followed closely behind, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched

Jareth’s back.

Marilla was a real angel.

She had managed to thaw the cold ruthless heart of Jareth, giving him feelings he was not accustomed

to.

“Mr. Jareth, all of our top doctors are currently off–duty. If you’d like, we can call in another doctor from

the emergency unit,” the nurse, recognizing Jareth, stammered, her body trembling with fear.

“I need to see your best doctor within ten minutes or I’ll turn this place into a nightclub,” Jareth roared,

his voice echoing through the hospital, “and why are you still standing here? Go find a doctor!”

The nurse turned pale and scurried off to find a doctor, leaving Jareth alone with Marilla. His heart was

full of worry, the sweat from his palms soaked through Marilla’s sleeping gown.

“Marilla, does it still hurt?” Jareth asked, his voice filled with anxiety.

Marilla only frowned in silence, tears streaming down her face.

Each tear felt like a searing stab to Jareth’s heart, causing his eyes to flare with anger, his teeth

grinding together.

“Mr. Jareth, you seem to have forgotten that Marilla’s hearing has been severely affected due to the

slap she received from Glynnis. She probably isn’t intentionally ignoring you,” Lily gently reminded him..

Upon hearing this, Jareth could barely contain his rage. He was ready to march back to the Abernathy

family and end Glynnis‘ life.

“If anything happens to Marilla’s hearing, I’ll make sure to rip out Glynnis’s eyeballs and stuff them into

her ears!” Jareth threatened, his gaze fixed on Marilla’s pain–stricken face.

Seeing Marilla’s pained expression, Jareth felt as if his heart was being pierced by an ice pick. He

leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, drenched in sweat.

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, Marla, for me, okay?”

Jareth’s plea seemed to have worked. Marilla wiped her tear–stained eyes and hesitantly nodded in

agreement.