Chapter 60

Nathan took an excruciatingly long pause before finally growling, "What's your explanation?"

"Her?" Adrian gasped, his finger trembling between Evelyn and Nathan. "And you?"

The realization hit him like a freight train. His own finger now pointed accusingly at himself. "I—"

"What fresh hell is this?" Adrian's voice cracked. His world tilted on its axis. He needed air. Space. A damn time machine.

Gregory coughed into his fist, leaning in with mock sympathy. "Rule number one, mate—never mess with another man's wife. You've stepped in it now."

Adrian's face flushed crimson. "She told me she was divorced! Free as a damn bird!"

His fist connected with Nathan's shoulder. "How was I supposed to know she was your ex?"

Evelyn moved to leave, but Nathan's icy command froze her mid-step. "Aren't you going to explain this mess?"

Her laugh was sharp as shattered glass. "Explain myself? To you?" The door slammed behind her with finality.

"Wait! You're just leaving us like this?" Adrian's shout echoed down the hallway.

Nathan stormed out next, Gregory hot on his heels like a loyal shadow.

Adrian spent the ride home in stunned silence. Sleep? Impossible. His mind raced all night.

By dawn, he was barging past Evelyn's startled secretary without apology.

Evelyn didn't even glance up from her documents. "Here to grovel? Or did your little bro-code lecture not take?"

"I've done nothing but think all night." Adrian squared his shoulders, voice steady with newfound conviction. "If anything, I'm more certain now. I want you."

Evelyn's pen stilled. "You're joking."

"Your past doesn't define you." Adrian spoke faster, afraid she'd cut him off. "Nathan was the fool who let you go. You made the right choice."

Evelyn had expected retreat. Not this... bewildering persistence.

"Not interested."

"Don't shut me down yet!" Adrian dragged a hand through his hair. "We're both single adults, even though—"

Evelyn's lips curled as she tapped her tablet screen. "Even though what?"

Adrian collapsed into a chair. "It's complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it."

"Fine." He exhaled sharply. "No more secrets. I'm the Prescott heir. Only took this stupid job to be near you."

Evelyn nodded. "Obviously."

Adrian blinked. "You knew?"

"Please. Did you really think a fake name badge would fool me?"

Adrian swallowed hard. "Then you know about... the engagement?"

Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "The one with your boss's sister? Oh, I've heard."

Adrian groaned. "Exactly! Some dried-up spinster named Evelyn Carter. Can you believe the coincidence?"

Evelyn's grip tightened on her stylus. "Ever consider I might be her?"

Adrian barked a laugh. "Not a chance. That woman's probably got warts and a mustache. You're... well, you're you."

The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.

"Is that so?" Evelyn's voice dripped venom. "And your brilliant plan?"

"Simple!" Adrian slammed his palms on her desk, leaning in with fiery determination. "I'm breaking it off today. That witch will never be my wife."

Evelyn's sudden chuckle sent chills down his spine. "No cold feet? What if she makes you pay?"

Adrian scoffed. "What's that hag going to do? Hex me?"

His ringing phone shattered the moment. Reginald Prescott's name flashed on screen.

"Dad, not now—"

"You ungrateful little shit!" The roar made Adrian jerk the phone away. "Have you lost your damn mind?"

Adrian frowned. "How did you—"

Then he heard it. The faint echo of his own voice.

Evelyn slowly rotated her tablet.

Adrian's blood turned to ice.

On screen, Reginald's puce face filled the frame, phone pressed to his ear. Beside him, Adrian's mother clutched her pearls in horror.

Just like last night, Adrian's brain short-circuited. The room spun.

History was repeating itself in the worst possible way.