Chapter 107

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our penthouse, casting golden patterns across the marble floors. I stretched beneath the silk sheets, my fingers brushing against the empty space where Nathaniel should have been. The cold sheets confirmed what I already knew - he'd left for work hours ago without waking me.

My phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. Gabrielle's name flashed across the screen with three missed calls and a string of urgent texts about the Montgomery project revisions. I groaned, rubbing sleep from my eyes. The architectural firm had been swamped since Gregory and I landed the high-profile commercial development downtown.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee lured me into the kitchen where Alfred had left my usual breakfast spread - avocado toast, Greek yogurt with berries, and a steaming cup of dark roast. The elderly butler had worked for the Martins longer than I'd been alive, yet still remembered my exact caffeine preference.

"Morning, Mrs. Martin," Alfred greeted as he entered, carrying a stack of mail. "Mr. Martin asked me to remind you about the charity gala tonight. He's arranged for Seraphina to deliver your gown by noon."

I nearly choked on my coffee. "The Mystica? Nathaniel booked her?" The legendary designer rarely took private commissions anymore.

Alfred's lips twitched. "Apparently Mr. Martin called in a rather substantial favor from his grandfather."

My fingers trembled as I scrolled through my calendar. Between client meetings and site inspections, I'd completely forgotten about the Children's Hospital fundraiser. Nathaniel's family had chaired the event for decades, and tonight marked my first public appearance as his wife since our whirlwind wedding three months ago.

The penthouse elevator dinged, and Nathaniel strode in, his charcoal suit accentuating his broad shoulders. My breath caught as it always did when he entered a room - that magnetic presence that made everyone else fade into the background.

"You're supposed to be at the office," I said, setting down my coffee.

Nathaniel loosened his tie with one hand, the other producing a velvet box from his pocket. "Forgot something important." He flipped open the lid, revealing an emerald necklace that matched my engagement ring perfectly. "For tonight. Thought it might help you forgive me for working late all week."

I traced the glittering stones, remembering how Isabella Davis had worn emeralds to last year's gala when she was still Nathaniel's date. The media would undoubtedly make the comparison.

Nathaniel's phone buzzed. Samuel's name appeared with a red "URGENT" tag. His jaw tightened. "I have to take this."

As he stepped onto the terrace, my own phone rang. Gregory's gruff voice came through. "Evelyn, we've got a problem. Summit Realty just filed an injunction against the Montgomery project. Sebastian Wilson claims we stole his designs."

My stomach dropped. "That's impossible! Those were my original sketches."

"Meet me at the office in thirty. We need to review everything before the client meeting."

I was halfway to the shower when Nathaniel reappeared, his expression grim. "Change of plans. Grandfather wants us at the estate immediately. There's been... developments with Isabella."

The name hung between us like a storm cloud. Isabella had been suspiciously quiet since our wedding, and Nathaniel's sudden tension told me whatever news Edward Martin had wasn't good.

"Can it wait? Gregory just called about-"

"No." Nathaniel's tone brooked no argument. "This involves the family. It takes priority."

I bit back my protest. The Martins operated by their own rules, and I was still learning to navigate their world. As I hurried to dress, one thought consumed me - whatever Isabella had planned, it threatened far more than just my work schedule. The carefully constructed peace of our new marriage was about to be tested.

"Nathaniel, if not for the unforeseen circumstances, we would have been divorced by now. Even though we've gone public with our relationship, it's absurd to discuss having children merely two days later. A marriage built without love will only bring misery to any child born into it. I refuse to bring a child into this arrangement."

Her words were firm, her gaze unwavering.

Nathaniel's expression remained impassive, but his eyes darkened, sharp as winter frost. "So you're saying if I never love you, you'll never bear my child?"

His voice was devoid of warmth, cutting through the air like a blade.

Evelyn paused, then let out a bitter laugh. "You've already decided you'll never love me. Why, then, would you demand a child from me?"

A mocking smile curled his lips. "Is this your way of avoiding responsibility? Playing word games to dodge the inevitable?"

"Nathaniel, you declared you'd never love me. Yet you expect me to submit to your whims without question. Even if you brought this up in front of Edward, my answer wouldn’t change. Unless you love me, I won’t have your child."

Her tone was final, the tension thickening between them.

Edward, sensing the brewing storm, quickly intervened. "Let’s discuss this calmly. Evelyn is right—if you want a future with her, you must show sincerity. You can’t expect her to agree to something so significant without trust."

He glanced at Richard and Victoria, who nodded in agreement.

Nathaniel’s smile turned icy, his voice laced with disdain. "Grandfather, you always take her side. Do you truly believe her excuses? Or is there another reason she’s so adamant?"

Edward’s face hardened, his eyes warning Nathaniel to stop.

But Nathaniel ignored it.

His gaze locked onto Evelyn, cold and accusing. "Is it because you're waiting for your ex to return? If you had my child, you’d have to take it with you when you leave. No man would raise another’s child willingly. Isn’t that why you refuse? Have you been planning this all along?"

Evelyn met his stare without flinching, her voice eerily calm. "If that’s what you believe, then so be it."

"You won’t even deny it?"

"Nathaniel, if you think so little of me, why keep asking?" Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes glacial.

Edward, alarmed by the escalating hostility, stood abruptly. "Evelyn, help me to my room. We need to talk—privately."

She nodded, assisting him out of the dining room without another glance at Nathaniel.

Once inside Edward’s study, the door shut firmly behind them. They moved to the balcony, the evening air cool against their skin.

Edward sighed. "Evelyn, is there something you’re not telling me?"

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she exhaled. "Edward… I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you."