Chapter 15

Isabella extended her hand, revealing a simple silver band that caught the light. "This ring."

Nathan's breath hitched as he recognized it instantly. The only gift he'd ever given Evelyn during their three years of marriage.

His fingers trembled slightly as he took it, thumb tracing the engraved initials inside: N & E.

The memory surfaced unbidden - Evelyn's hopeful eyes as she'd asked him to slip it onto her finger. His dismissive "Later" still echoed in his ears.

Yet she'd worn it every single day since. He couldn't recall ever seeing her bare left hand.

Isabella's painted nails dug into her palm as she watched Nathan's faraway expression. She forced her lips into a practiced smile.

"This seems important. How could Ms. Carter forget it? Should we return it or—"

"Return it?" Vanessa scoffed, tossing her highlighted hair. "That snake pretended to be harmless, then stabbed us in the back without warning!"

Eleanor nodded in agreement. "I never trusted her from the beginning."

Nathan's jaw tightened. The phone call from earlier flashed through his mind - that man's smug voice. His grip on the ring turned white-knuckled.

So this was why she'd left in such a hurry. Already found her next victim.

"Toss it," he commanded, voice like ice.

Vanessa smirked. "Good riddance. Get rid of everything that woman ever touched."

"Absolutely," Eleanor added. "Replace it all with new things."

But Nathan remained motionless, the ring still clenched in his fist.

His gaze swept across the bedroom before landing on the housekeeper. "I don't tolerate interference in my private space. Have this room restored to its original state by tonight."

With that, he yanked at his tie and strode toward the walk-in closet to pack.

Isabella's face drained of color. She stood frozen, the cheerful facade crumbling.

"What's the big deal?" Vanessa flopped onto the chaise lounge with a huff. "Evelyn redecorated constantly to get his attention. He never complained then."

The irony wasn't lost on Isabella. When Evelyn lived here, Nathan avoided her. Now that she was gone, he guarded her things like sacred relics.

Something was very wrong.

Eleanor noticed Isabella's distress and swatted Vanessa's shoulder. "Hush!" Turning to Isabella, she adopted a soothing tone. "Nathan's particular about his belongings. Don't take it personally."

The words barely registered. Isabella couldn't tear her eyes from Nathan.

This was their marital bedroom. Evelyn's presence lingered in every corner. Of course he'd remember her here, in the bed they'd shared.

She understood with dawning horror - Nathan meant every word. The room would be stripped of all traces of Evelyn.

A cold realization settled in her stomach.

Nathan Sterling wasn't as indifferent to his ex-wife as he pretended.

As the closet door clicked shut behind him, a dangerous idea took root in Isabella's mind.