Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Evelyn stared at the two rings for a long time. As she looked, her gaze drifted to the plain band William was currently wearing.

The two plain bands were actually similar in style, but clearly, the one in the box had better quality and more thought put into it.

GKG's "Eternity" collection had four designs, symbolizing everlasting love through generations.

The plain band before her was more expensive due to its craftsmanship, and each one was personally made by the head designer.

Supposedly, making one ring would take the designer an entire day.

Though Evelyn wasn't sure about the exact time required for this ring, as a designer herself, she knew that "one day" was definitely an exaggeration.

She sometimes told clients that a design would take her a whole day, too, but in reality, it was only about four hours.

"Do you like it?"

Seeing her look at it for so long without saying anything, William couldn't help but ask again.

Evelyn wasn't sure if she liked it or not. She looked up at William's eyes. Something in them had indeed changed—she'd noticed it early on, but had been pretending not to see it.

But now, with William holding the ring box in front of her, with those clear and bright eyes, it was hard to ignore.

Evelyn pressed her lips together and looked down at the two rings again.

William had ordered a pair—a man's ring and a woman's ring.

What he meant didn't need to be spelled out; Evelyn understood.

But she didn't get it.

So instead of answering William most wanted to hear, she first asked the question in her heart: "Why?"

Her question seemed a bit out of nowhere.

But William could probably guess what she was asking.

He put down the ring box and removed the ring from his own ring finger.

"The wedding ring we chose back then—you didn't seem to like it much. We can totally change it."

Evelyn watched his movements and frowned. "I told you, I didn't dislike it."

"I know." William lifted his eyelids, locking his gaze on his wife. "That ring was chosen carelessly, just like our marriage back then."

William wasn't stupid, nor was he ignorant.

Someone who could stand out in front of someone as picky as Nicholas—how could he not see through Evelyn's true thoughts?

Evelyn's pupils trembled for a moment, and she covered her mouth as if unable to face it.

More than William's expressed struggles and concerns, she now felt ashamed that her petty and sensitive nature had been seen through by William, making her feel mortified.

Her eyes darted around, not knowing where to look, and finally lowered, trying to avoid the topic.

"Maybe you think this ring is too plain."

Seeing her still avoiding it, William frowned slightly and took out the solitaire ring he had originally planned to save for their anniversary.

Evelyn knew there were two ring boxes, but she'd only seen William take out one.

She was curious about the other one, but years of habit kept her from asking.

But this time, even though she didn't ask, he took out that box and immediately showed it to her.

It was a ring completely different from the matching set.

Such a flashy and bold ring didn't look like something she would wear at all.

That was Evelyn's first thought upon seeing the ring.

But William's explanation followed immediately, giving her no chance to overthink.

"This one is bigger and more glamorous. When you wear it out, they'll only envy you." William held up the ring, his meaning clear.

But Evelyn didn't reach out. She instinctively looked at William's ring finger, where the ring he'd been wearing had been removed, now leaving only a barely noticeable indentation.

"Then what will you wear?" she asked.

If it were a wedding ring, both husband and wife should wear it.

William glanced at the matching set still in the box. "That one."

Evelyn followed his gaze. Those two simple, plain bands were indeed more suitable for daily wear.

She looked again at the ring William was holding up, her brow furrowing slightly. Rather than a wedding ring, this seemed more like an anniversary ring, almost impossible to wear daily.

"Don't want either of them?"

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, William felt somewhat defeated, his voice tinged with heavy sighs.

Since William rarely gave her gifts, Evelyn naturally had no reason to refuse. Besides, she had already moved back to Harmony City for Katya's mental and physical health, deciding to continue this imperfect marriage with William.

The consequence of doing this was that the two of them would continue to be entangled endlessly. This entanglement and bond involved not just emotions and family ties, but also endless interests.

Evelyn was very clear that Katya was the sole heir of the Thomas family and the Brown Group.

Milan intended to groom Katya, and William now only had Katya as his daughter.

But she wasn't sure how long William's feelings could last, just as she wasn't sure about this marriage.

Honestly, Evelyn now felt very insecure about her marriage.

The source of this insecurity came from William.

She wasn't sure how long William could maintain this guilt and affection toward her—maybe a few months, maybe a few years, maybe a lifetime.

Therefore, she hardly dared respond to any of William's signals, fearing that all of this was still a dream as fragile as bubbles.

Evelyn lowered her eyes, hiding the emotions in her heart. In just a brief moment, when she looked up again, her eyes had become completely clear.

She didn't take the ring, didn't even reach out her hand. She just asked a question.

"William, do you like me now?"

Such a direct question didn't bring even a hint of shyness to William's face, not even a trace of surprise. His eyes were bright, his mouth first forming a huge smile, then restraining it slightly.

"No, I love you."

William's answer couldn't be called problematic. In fact, between any couple, this answer would be perfect.

However, when Evelyn heard this answer, she frowned, one corner of her mouth lifting as if she'd heard a joke.

"Really?"

She heard herself ask.

Evelyn thought of Katya, currently their only daughter.

Although she knew William hated illegitimate children and that in the future there probably wouldn't be any illegitimate children of William's, she still worried.

If another child of William's appeared, what would happen to her, Katya?

How would Katya, pampered since childhood, face a half-sibling?

Evelyn didn't want this to happen.

Her marriage—whatever.

But Katya's life couldn't be ruined by those disgusting things.

"Then can you get a vasectomy?" Evelyn asked. She looked up, meeting William's gaze, her lips curved in a smile, gentle yet firm. "We already have Katya anyway. You don't need another child, right?"

William laughed.

Evelyn didn't understand why he was laughing.

But soon, she knew the answer.

"You're worried about this?" William laughed heartily, gently placing the ring back in the box. Then he took Evelyn's hand, his voice like a spell. "I already got a vasectomy."

"What!"

"After I learned of your 'death,' I got a vasectomy. Uncle knows about it, too."