Chapter 227: The private island.

Evelyn frowned. "Why?" she asked, unable to hide her disbelief.

"Eve..." Ian sighed and rubbed his forehead.

He didn’t want to argue with her. More than anything, he didn’t want his first day back with his family to turn into a disagreement. But he knew he had to explain himself.

"I’m not a billionaire like your brother," he said quietly. "I know my place is a modest apartment. But I’m successful now. I have my own career, my own income, and I can give my wife and son a stable and happy life."

His eyes softened. "I don’t want to become a burden to the Rowan family. Please try to understand."

Ian had spent years building his life on his own. He had worked hard to become successful, to stand on his own feet, and to prove that he could provide for himself and his family.

The thought of moving into his wife’s family home made him uncomfortable.

He didn’t want to feel useless. He didn’t want to sit in a mansion while Evelyn provided everything for him.

If he moved into the Rowan mansion and enjoyed his wife’s wealth and property, people might whisper that he had married Evelyn for money, that he was nothing more than a gold digger.

"I don’t want anyone saying that I came back to you because of your family’s wealth."

Evelyn remained silent. She could see it clearly.

His pride was stopping him.

She reached for his hand. "Ian, look at me."

He raised his eyes.

"I understand." There was no anger in her voice. Only patience. "I understand why you feel this way. You don’t want to stand behind me as someone who depends on me."

Ian’s eyes flickered.

"But you are looking at this as if accepting something from me makes you less of a man," Evelyn said.

Ian said nothing.

His silence was enough.

Evelyn smiled bitterly. "Tell me something. If a rich man marries a woman who has nothing, would anyone find it strange if she lived in his house, used his property, or enjoyed the life he provided?"

Ian looked at her in stunned silence.

"Why should it be shameful when the situation is reversed?" Her gaze remained steady.

"A marriage isn’t a business transaction where we divide everything into yours and mine," Evelyn continued. "You have your money. I have mine. But once we became husband and wife, what belongs to one of us became part of our family."

She put a hand on his cheek. "You are not taking advantage of me, Ian. You are the man I love."

Ian’s hesitation started to fade. But he still said. "But that mansion belongs to the Rowan family."

"That mansion is mine," Evelyn continued. "Grandfather already transferred the ownership documents of it to me. So stop thinking of it as the Rowan family’s house."

She squeezed his fingers. "It’s my house. And I’m inviting the father of my son to live there with me."

Ian opened his mouth, but she continued before he could respond.

"There is nothing shameful about enjoying your wife’s wealth."

The words reached somewhere deep inside him.

"I spent so long believing that being independent meant never needing anyone. But now I know I can depend on you."

Evelyn handed him the spoon back. "Then you are coming with me."

Once he finished the soup, he put the lunch box away.

Evelyn reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope.

Ian glanced at it curiously. "What is it?"

"A surprise." She flashed a mischievous smile.

Ian tore open the envelope.

Several photographs of a breathtaking private island surrounded by crystal-clear blue water came into view. The shoreline was bordered by tall pine trees and lush greenery.

Amidst the trees stood a magnificent luxury villa overlooking the sea.

"Why are you showing me these photos?" he asked curiously.

"Because we are going there," Evelyn announced happily. "My brother owns that private island. He wants us to spend a few days there. Just the two of us."

"What?"

"Consider it our pre-wedding honeymoon."

"Are you serious?" Ian chuckled.

"I am. Come on, say yes." She tugged at his arm. "We need this."

"What about Leo? Are we going to leave him alone here?"

"He is not alone. Elias and Elena will take care of him."

Ian looked at the photographs for a long moment.

"Come on, Ian. I really want to go there. Please." She gave him an almost pleading look.

"Fine. We are going," he finally agreed.

She threw her arms around him and pressed her lips against his.

A few days later...

The private island was more beautiful than the photographs.

It was a secluded paradise, surrounded by an endless blue sea. White sand stretched along the shoreline. Tall pine trees and tropical greenery covered much of the island.

The gentle sound of waves rolling onto the beach created a peaceful atmosphere that felt completely detached from the outside world.

Near the beach stood the luxurious villa.

Evelyn and Ian stepped inside.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls surrounded the main living area, offering an uninterrupted view of the beach and sparkling sea.

Sunlight poured through the glass, illuminating the rooms brightly. Beyond the terrace, a lush garden stretched toward the shoreline.

Evelyn bounced like a child. "It’s beautiful."

Ian smiled. He wasn’t watching the scenery. He was busy looking at his woman.

Evelyn ran around the house.

Everything they could need had already been arranged.

The refrigerator was fully stocked with fresh food, drinks, fruits, vegetables, and other essentials. The kitchen cabinets were filled with groceries. Everything they might need for their stay was already prepared.

"My brother has already arranged everything. We don’t have to worry about anything." She gestured around excitedly.

Ian slipped his hands into his pockets and simply watched her.

Her happiness brought a quiet smile to his face. She reminded him of the woman she had been when they were newly married.

Back then, Evelyn had been just as lively and full of excitement. But he had barely given her the time she deserved.

He had been too consumed by work, responsibilities, and his own mistakes. He had wasted those precious days.

Not anymore.

If life had given him another chance, he would make sure he spent it differently. He would give Evelyn all the time he had failed to give her before.

"Come." Evelyn suddenly grabbed his hand. "Let’s go see the bedroom."

She dragged him down the hallway before he could respond.

The bedroom was enormous.

A luxurious round bed stood in the center. One entire wall was floor-to-ceiling glass, opening onto a breathtaking view of the beach.

Evelyn stopped in front of the window. "Oh, my God. This is amazing." Her eyes sparkled. "So romantic."

Ian stepped closer. He slipped his arms around her waist from behind.

Evelyn smiled as she gazed at the ocean. "I wish I could stay here forever."

"It’s your brother’s private island," Ian murmured. "You can come here whenever you want."

She turned her head toward him. "Really?"

"Really." Ian kissed her.

She kissed him back.

Far away, hidden among the trees, a man lowered his binoculars. He had been watching the villa. He immediately pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"They’ve arrived," he reported. "There are only a few guards around the villa. It won’t be difficult to deal with them."

On the other end of the call, Tessa listened silently. A slow smirk spread across her face.

She ended the call and placed the phone on the table. Then she looked toward the man sitting across from her.

Half of his face was badly scarred, the skin burned and distorted from the injuries he had suffered.

It was Cedric.

When Tessa had been imprisoned and tortured by Noah, Cedric had been the one who helped her. He had arranged her release, provided her with money, and even found her a job.

After that, Tessa had kept a low profile. She stayed away from the Sinclair and Rowan families, carefully avoiding attention while waiting for the right opportunity to strike back.

And now that opportunity had finally appeared. Elena and Elias had unknowingly given her the perfect chance.

"The work will be done." Her eyes gleamed with hatred. "They won’t see tomorrow’s sunlight."

Cedric said nothing. A cruel smile slowly appeared on his scarred face.

But neither of them knew the truth: the couple they had been watching was not Elena and Elias.

It was Evelyn and Ian.