Chapter 201
Lemira finished speaking, her gaze fixed intently on Lucian. She watched his expression shift from anticipation to hesitation. A cold smirk played on her lips. This reaction was entirely expected. Such insincerity! And they expected her to remain with the Langstons?
Lucian struggled to find words, torn between two choices. Alaric intervened, “Lemira, don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh? We owe you, not Eve, right?”
The amusement in Lemira’s eyes intensified. She had said that deliberately, to expose the Langstons' hypocrisy.
At this, Evelina bit her lip. “Lucian, Alaric, it’s okay. I can leave. Growing up with you has been more than enough. If it means Lemira will return, I’m willing to move out.”
Asher immediately objected. “No way! What does that make us? Your father saved Lemira’s life and died in that car accident because he went back to save our parents. How could we possibly abandon you?” Bringing Evelina into their home had been a gesture of gratitude.
Evelina lowered her eyes, feeling guilty. She had always believed her father was dead, but the man she had recently contacted—though she hadn’t met him—sounded so much like him! If her father wasn’t dead, then who had died in that accident? And why had he been living incognito for so many years? What secret lay behind it all? She had asked the mysterious man, but he’d revealed nothing, only demanding money.
These suspicions raced through Evelina’s mind, but she dared not reveal them. Fearful of the Langstons discovering the truth, she couldn't risk losing her privileged life. This secret was suffocating her. Asher’s mention of her father only heightened her anxiety, fueling her fear of unforeseen complications.
Hearing Asher’s words, Lemira responded blandly, “If that’s the case, then there’s nothing more to say.”
Asher’s tone hardened. “Lemira, if you insist on leaving in a huff, then don’t bother coming back, and don’t expect any financial support from the Langston family.”
“Fine, but since we’re laying everything out, I have something to say too.” Lemira pulled a document from her bag. “This is a severance agreement. I’ve already signed it.” She’d almost forgotten she’d brought it to the hospital amidst the drama. Had Asher not mentioned severing ties, she wouldn't have even considered it.
The document lay before them all. Lucian, standing closest, saw it clearly. The words “severance agreement” pierced his eyes, filling him with unbearable pain. A weight pressed on his chest. His voice hoarse, he said, “Lemmy, do you really have to be this heartless?”
“Lucian, let’s get one thing straight; I’m not the one who initiated this eviction.” Lemira tossed the document at Lucian and turned to leave. Lucian reached out to catch it, but grasped only air—much like his failed attempt to keep Lemira by his side.
Observing the document on the floor, Asher was visibly astonished. He looked incredulously at Lucian and Alaric. “What exactly happened while I was away? Why has Lemira changed so much?” In the past, if he’d told Lemira to leave, she wouldn’t have dared defy him. But now, not only had she left, she’d even produced a signed severance agreement! This was no mere tantrum; she was serious.