Chapter 577

Everett remained silent for a long moment before gently removing Rosalind's hand from his arm. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, icy and unreadable. "Is this some kind of pity charity?"

Rosalind's breath hitched. "No! That's not—I would never. I just know what you're capable of. I believe in you—"

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Oh, you believe in me?" His lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Listen to yourself. These are your dreams, Rosalind. Not mine. You're trying to mold me into your perfect little project."

Her eyes widened in shock. "That's not true—"

"Save it," he snapped, cutting her off. "You want to control every part of my life. But I get it. You're a rich girl slumming it with someone beneath you. You’ve never seen me as your equal."

Tears welled in Rosalind's pale eyes, her hands trembling at her sides. "How can you say that? After everything? Is that really what you think of me?"

All she had ever wanted was to see him thrive. He was meant for more than this—more than struggling in the shadows. But he refused to listen.

Was she really so selfish in his eyes?

Everett watched as the first tear slipped down her cheek, glistening in the dim light. She looked so fragile, so heartbreakingly beautiful. His fingers curled into fists at his sides.

"You should go. We don’t belong in the same world. You have Julian now, don’t you? I heard he’s turned his life around. Or if not him, there are a dozen better men waiting for you."

Rosalind’s shoulders shook as the dam broke, tears streaming freely. "Why do you keep pushing me away? If something’s wrong, we can fix it—together."

"Together?" He scoffed. "Who said we were ever together?"

She froze. "What… what about everything that happened between us?"

Everett shrugged, his gaze raking over her with deliberate cruelty. "It was just fun. Nothing more."

Her breath caught. "Fun?"

"Yeah. What did you expect? You came to me first. A pretty, privileged girl throwing herself at me—why would I say no?"

Rosalind staggered back as if struck. "Is that all I was to you?"

His smirk deepened. "What else would you be?"

The tears came faster now, unstoppable.

So that was the truth. To him, she was just… entertainment.

Everett stepped closer, towering over her. He reached out, brushing a tear away with his thumb, his touch deceptively gentle. "Why are you really here, Rosalind? Did you miss me?"

She slapped his hand away, her voice breaking. "I hate you!"

He stiffened, his expression unreadable.

Just then, Julian stormed forward. "Are you hurting her?"

Without warning, Julian grabbed Everett by the collar and slammed a fist into his face.

Everett didn’t even flinch as blood trickled from his lip. His grin was wild, dangerous.

Rosalind gasped, rushing forward. "Stop it!"

Julian shoved Everett back, his voice thick with fury. "She loves you, you bastard! And you treat her like this? You’re nothing but a worthless gutter rat dragging her down!"