So, Evelyn had understood their conversation that day. She had known all along.
She had found out that he and Rebecca were legally married and that they were planning to keep it a secret from her.
Panic clawed at Matteo's chest.

He had thought he could keep it hidden. He thought that he could juggle both Rebecca and Evelyn without either of them getting hurt.
To him, Rebecca was nothing more than a past obsession. He had been furious when she left him for another man, and that fury had turned into an unhealthy need to keep her in his life forever.
But she had always been a shadow, someone he kept hidden.
As long as Evelyn never found out the truth, it didn't matter.
The one he truly loved, and had always loved, was Evelyn. Ever since he lost his sight, she was the only one who mattered.
But now, everything had fallen apart.

Evelyn had learned Haranese.
She understood their conversation.
She had figured out everything.
But how could she be so heartless?

All he had was an unresolved past with Rebecca. He had only pitied her.
Yet, Evelyn had chosen to erase every trace of herself and completely vanish from his world.
His eyes burned. His vision blurred as tears filled them.
A memory flashed through his mind.
It was Evelyn, who had been by his side all those years ago.
When he was trapped in darkness, her voice had been the only light guiding him through.
"Don't be scared, Matteo. I'll always be with you."
"Always?"
"As long as you never betray me, then yes. Forever."
Back then, he had held her tightly, his voice thick with emotion.
"I would never hurt you, Eve. You have to stay with me forever. Promise me."
But at some point, something had changed.
Had it started with Rebecca's pleading? With her tear-streaked face, her pitiful sobs?
Little by little, he had taken Evelyn's presence for granted.
He had started thinking about the woman who once abandoned him. And that woman just so happened to be broken and just so happened to need him.
He had been arrogant.
He had thought he could control everything.
But he had forgotten.
Evelyn wasn't the type to beg for love.
She had no one else in the world, but she would rather disappear than live in torment.
And Evelyn knew him too well.
She knew that he would have stopped her if he had even the slightest clue she was leaving.
He would have done anything to keep her by his side.
So, she had erased every single trace of herself. She had made sure that he could never find her.
The realization sent a violent shudder through him.
But then, Matteo shoved down his despair.
No.
He clenched his fists.
"Eve, no way in hell am I letting you go."
He repeated her name like a chant, his eyes filled with longing.
"Eve, I was wrong. I never should have treated you like that because of another woman. Do whatever you want to me. Yell at me, hit me. I don't care. Just don't leave me."
He had never begged for anything in his life.
Now, he was willing to drop to his knees if it meant bringing her back.
But she wasn't here to hear him.
No matter how many times he apologized, it was useless. Evelyn was gone, and that was unacceptable.
"Evelyn, I will find you. No matter where you run, no matter how far, our paths will cross again."
Matteo's eyes darkened.
He would never let go.
He would grovel. He would atone. He would force her to forgive him.
Evelyn would be his.
His entire body trembled as he pulled out his phone.
With reverence, he stared at her photo.
Then, as if it were the only thing keeping him alive, he pressed his lips against the screen.