Chapter 67

"Trust me, Nathan. Mother and I wouldn't be in this situation if that cursed woman hadn't provoked us first." Vanessa's voice trembled with desperation, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

Eleanor Blackwell swayed dramatically, clutching her chest as if about to collapse—until Vanessa caught her just in time.

Evelyn Carter watched their theatrics with a smirk. "That's right. It was me," she declared, lifting her chin defiantly. She had no patience left for their games. Turning on her heel, she moved to leave.

But Nathan Sterling blocked her path, his dark brows drawn together. Evelyn took a deliberate step back, her expression icy. "Move."

Nathan's gaze flickered to Eleanor and Vanessa, both feigning distress, and something in his expression shifted.

"How long are you going to keep this up?" His voice was low, edged with irritation.

Evelyn let out a humorless laugh. "Keep what up?"

"Aren’t you just punishing them because you're still bitter about the past?"

"You really think that little of me?" She shook her head, incredulous. "I don’t have time for petty revenge. They’re not worth the effort."

"If you’re so above it all, then why attack me?" Vanessa shrieked, struggling to hold up Eleanor, who promptly swooned again.

Evelyn arched a brow. "You keep pushing, and you won’t like where it leads."

She turned her sharp gaze back to Nathan. "Control your family before they humiliate themselves further."

Her voice dropped to a warning. "Next time, I won’t stop at just wiping off their makeup with toilet water."

Nathan remained unmoved, his jaw tight.

"We were married once. Do you have to be this cruel?"

Evelyn’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "Oh, I ran out of nice things to say long before the divorce."

She tilted her head, eyes glinting with disdain. "If you want flattery, ask Isabella Delaney. I’m sure she’s full of sweet nothings for you."

"Nathan!" Vanessa wailed. "How can you let her talk to us like this?"

Eleanor stirred weakly, clutching her chest. "Nathan… defend me…"

Her act was painfully transparent, but she clung to the hope that Nathan would take her side.

Yet he stood frozen, caught between anger and something else—something like regret.

He couldn’t bring himself to scold Evelyn, not when he was the one who had pushed her away.

"Adrian Prescott’s voice cut through the tension. "Nathan, what’s going on?"

He stepped between them, shielding Evelyn protectively. "Are you okay?"

His concern was genuine. He’d seen the articles about the Sterlings’ treatment of Evelyn, and the sight of them ganging up on her made his blood boil.

Evelyn blinked in surprise but quickly composed herself. "I’m fine, Mr. Prescott. Thank you."

Nathan’s expression darkened at the way Adrian hovered over her. "This is a private matter. Stay out of it."

Adrian didn’t back down. "You’re divorced. Evelyn isn’t part of your family anymore." His voice hardened. "Her business is my business now."

A muscle twitched in Nathan’s jaw. "Even divorced, she’s still mine."

"Was yours," Adrian shot back. "Past tense, Nathan."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "I’m leaving before this gets any more pathetic."

She turned on her heel, striding toward the exit.

"Come back here, you witch!" Vanessa screeched.

Adrian hesitated, torn between confronting Nathan and following Evelyn. In the end, he chose her. "Wait for me!"

Nathan watched them go, his posture rigid, but the loneliness in his stance was unmistakable.

Outside, Evelyn walked aimlessly, the cool night air clearing her mind. She barely registered Adrian’s presence until she reached the overpass, staring down at the blur of headlights below.

When she turned, Adrian stood behind her, holding out a handkerchief.

Silence stretched between them—heavy, but not unwelcome.