Chapter 114

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the bedroom as Evelyn stirred awake. Beside her, Nathaniel slept soundly, his breathing steady. She traced the sharp line of his jaw with her fingertips, a small smile playing on her lips.

Last night had been... intense.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Mrs. Martin?" Alfred’s voice was muffled through the wood. "Mr. Edward has requested your presence in the study."

Evelyn frowned. Edward rarely summoned her directly. Something was up.

"I’ll be right there," she replied, slipping out of bed carefully to avoid waking Nathaniel.

Dressed in a simple blouse and slacks, she made her way downstairs. The grand study doors were slightly ajar, and she could hear the low murmur of voices inside.

Edward sat behind his mahogany desk, his expression unreadable. Across from him stood Gregory Wilson, his usual confident demeanor replaced with tension.

"You wanted to see me?" Evelyn stepped inside, her gaze flickering between them.

Edward gestured for her to sit. "Evelyn, we have a problem."

Gregory cleared his throat. "The Summit Realty deal is falling apart. Jonathan Blake just pulled out."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. That project was supposed to secure their firm’s reputation. "Why?"

"Sebastian Wilson happened," Gregory said bitterly. "He’s been whispering in Blake’s ear, offering better terms."

Evelyn clenched her fists. Sebastian had always been a thorn in her side, but this was outright sabotage.

Edward leaned forward. "We need to act fast. If Summit backs out, we lose not just the contract, but our investors’ trust."

Evelyn’s mind raced. There had to be a way to salvage this.

Then it hit her.

"I’ll talk to Blake myself," she declared.

Gregory blinked. "You think that’ll work?"

Evelyn smirked. "I know his weakness. And I’m not above using it."

Edward studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Do what you must."

As Evelyn turned to leave, Gregory caught her arm. "Be careful. Sebastian isn’t the type to play fair."

She met his gaze. "Neither am I."

The game was on.

Thomas spoke bluntly, "Evelyn, I just saw you coming out of the gynecology department."

Evelyn's pulse stuttered. Keeping her composure, she checked her phone discreetly and sent a quick text to Caroline before responding, "Oh? I wasn’t feeling well, so I thought I’d get checked."

"Is everything alright?"

"Nothing serious, just a minor issue."

"That’s good. If you’re unwell, why not call Nathaniel to pick you up?"

Thomas was grasping for conversation, silently willing Nathaniel to arrive soon before he annoyed Evelyn further.

Evelyn’s expression remained unreadable. "No need. I’ve moved out of Pineview Villa. We both need space, so it’s best we don’t see each other right now."

"You moved out?" Thomas blurted, as if uncovering a scandal. He reined in his shock, glancing around the crowded hospital before lowering his voice. "Did Nathaniel do something? If he messed up, just say the word. I’ll set him straight."

Evelyn let out a soft, humorless laugh.

Her skepticism was obvious.

Thomas rushed on, "Look, I know Nathaniel can be an overbearing ass, but we’ve been friends for years. Me, Theodore, and Felix—we’ll knock some sense into him. You two just went public. Shouldn’t this be the honeymoon phase?"

He rambled while Evelyn listened in silence.

When he finally paused, she spoke. "I appreciate the concern, but things between Nathaniel and me… they’re complicated. A step back is what we both need right now."

Thomas nodded reluctantly.

Evelyn studied him. "Was there anything else you needed, Thomas?"

"No."

"Then I should get going."

"Wait—" He checked his watch, then called after her. "Evelyn."

She turned. "Yes?"

"Just… Nathaniel still cares. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have revealed your relationship after hiding it for a year. Doesn’t that mean something?"

Evelyn froze briefly before shrugging. "Maybe."

She wouldn’t air Nathaniel’s flaws to his friends. Their marriage wasn’t about right or wrong—just terrible timing, making everything feel out of place.

Her gaze flickered over Thomas. "I have plans with a friend. Let’s talk another time?"

Thomas hesitated but had no excuse to keep her.

Evelyn offered a polite smile. "I’ll head out now. Goodbye."

As she turned to leave, Thomas fidgeted helplessly. Then, a deep, icy voice cut through the air.

"Going somewhere?"

Nathaniel strode toward them, his expression stormy, his piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn the moment he entered.

Evelyn shot Thomas a knowing look—so that’s why he stalled me.

Thomas winced. "Evelyn, sorry, but I had to tell him. You two should talk."

With that, he bolted.

Nathaniel’s stare burned into her, his voice dangerously quiet. "Evelyn. Why were you at the hospital?"