Chapter 857:
His parents. His title. Everything he once was.
He had loved her with all he had — for years.
Paola couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. Her teeth pressed hard against her lip before she spoke.
“I’m sorry, Mylo. Mr. Carrillo got caught in this mess because of us. I can’t drag him down too. And your parents — they’ll never stop. Even if I saved you now, what kind of life would we have? At least he can take me away, give me a chance to start over.”
“To start over?” Mylo snapped, his anger spilling over. He finally saw the truth — or what he thought was the truth.
“So it was never about me! You just wanted what my family could give you. And now that I’ve lost it all, you’re running off with the next man who can!” His voice shook, twisted by heartbreak. “You played me, Paola. Everyone was right — you’re nothing but a heartless liar. I was a fool to believe in you!”
His love turned bitter in an instant, curdling into hatred.
Paola’s face flushed, fury rising to meet his words.
“Do you think yourself worthy of my affection?” she snapped. “You think I should be grateful for your pity? You’ve never been strong enough to stand on your own! Without your family’s name, you’d be nothing. You’re a spoiled fool — too blinded by your own pride to see it!”
The scene of their quarrel played out before Rylie with an almost eerie sense of inevitability. She had orchestrated this moment, and the outcome was precisely what she had predicted.
The kidnapper in charge looked tired of the show. His patience snapped. “Enough of this nonsense. Where is the money?” he demanded.
Paola wiped her cheeks and pulled a bank card from her pocket. Her hand shook as she pushed it forward. “The PIN is 156879. There are two million in the account. Please, let Mr. Carrillo go.”
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One of the kidnappers took the card, checked it quickly, and nodded to his leader.
The leader ordered the ropes untied. The men moved to free Evan.
Evan loosened his wrists and shot a hard look at Mylo, who lay collapsed and limp on the floor. Then he looked at Paola, who wore a mask of sacrifice. A small, unreadable smile touched his mouth.
Paola gripped Evan’s arm, her voice thin with fear. “I chose to save you, Evan. What about Mylo?”
A kidnapper laughed and spat the answer at her. “What about him? Are you stupid? Of course, he dies.”
Terrified, Paola could not meet Mylo’s eyes. She whispered to Evan, her voice barely steady, “Mr. Carrillo, we must leave now.”
Evan took her hand and spoke in a low, steady tone. “Do not be afraid. Do not carry guilt for Mylo. You did the right thing. You left a man who hurt you. I have seen your kindness, and I will repay you.”
Paola gave a small, hopeful smile. “We will start over together.”
She imagined life abroad with a rich man and a comfortable future.
Evan did not answer with words. A faint smile ghosted his lips.
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.
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