Chapter 455

I quickly looked away, my heart pounding. It all happened so fast, and I wasn't ready for any of it. Ethan was a lot different than I remembered. He'd outgrown his youthful recklessness and settled into a more mature presence. But was I ready to let someone in again? The bad memories from my past life—full of hurt, injustice, and despair—still haunted me. Those scenes kept looping in my mind, and I couldn't stop feeling uneasy. "Evelyn, are you alright?" Kevin's voice, full of concern, broke through my thoughts. I shook myself out of it and forced a small smile. "I'm fine, just need a quick break. Don't mind me. I'm going to take a breather outside." I hurried out of the venue. The quiet of the night only made my anxiety worse. I wandered down the street, lost in my thoughts. I spent the last few years pouring everything into my career just to prove myself. Love was the last thing on my mind, but Ethan's return stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. Everything about him—the way h