Chapter 134

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Pineview Villa, casting golden streaks across the marble floors. Evelyn stood by the window, her fingers tracing the delicate rim of her coffee cup. The warmth of the porcelain seeped into her skin, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in her chest.

Nathaniel had left before dawn—again.

She exhaled sharply, setting the cup down with a quiet clink. The silence of the villa was suffocating. Even Alfred, their ever-attentive butler, seemed to tread more lightly these days.

Her phone buzzed on the counter. A message from Gregory flashed on the screen:

"Meeting with Summit Realty at 10. Sebastian is pushing for revisions. We need you here."

Evelyn’s jaw tightened. Summit Realty had been a thorn in her side since the project began. Sebastian Wilson, their smug CEO, had a habit of making last-minute demands just to assert dominance.

She typed a quick reply. "On my way."

As she grabbed her blazer, the front door creaked open. Nathaniel stepped inside, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression unreadable.

"You're back," she said, forcing neutrality into her tone.

His gaze flickered to her. "Briefly. I have another meeting in an hour."

Of course he did.

Evelyn bit back the retort on her tongue. Instead, she adjusted her bag strap. "I’m heading to the office. Summit’s being difficult."

Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. "Do you need me to step in?"

The offer surprised her. Lately, he’d been so absorbed in Martin Group affairs that she’d stopped expecting his involvement in her work.

"No," she said after a beat. "I can handle Sebastian."

A ghost of a smirk touched Nathaniel’s lips. "I don’t doubt that."

For a fleeting moment, the tension between them eased. Then his phone rang, shattering the fragile peace. He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening.

"I have to take this."

Evelyn nodded, already turning away. "See you tonight."

She didn’t wait for his response.

Outside, the crisp autumn air did little to clear her mind. As her driver pulled up, she slid into the backseat, her thoughts churning.

Something was off with Nathaniel.

And she intended to find out what.

Across town, Isabella Davis adjusted the silk scarf around her neck, her reflection in the boutique mirror flawless. Behind her, Vanessa tapped her foot impatiently.

"You’re stalling," Vanessa accused.

Isabella smirked. "I’m savoring the moment."

The moment before everything changed.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling to a recent photo—Evelyn and Nathaniel at a charity gala, their smiles polished for the cameras.

A slow, calculated smile curved her lips.

"Let’s give them something real to smile about."

Vanessa’s eyes gleamed. "The press release is ready."

Isabella pocketed her phone. "Perfect."

The game was just beginning.

And Evelyn had no idea what was coming.

Evelyn's silence was interpreted as agreement.

The air between them grew icier, and Nathaniel's voice dropped to a dangerous timbre. "Evelyn, mark my words. If he dares to seek you out again, and you meet him alone, I will ensure he never steps foot in Mayby again."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode back to the bedroom, leaving Evelyn rooted in place, stunned.

Frustration coiled in her chest. Why does he get to dictate my life while flaunting his closeness with Isabella?

First Gregory, then Isaac.

Each time, Nathaniel had been relentless—forbidding her from interacting with them, demanding she keep her distance.

Did marriage mean surrendering all friendships with the opposite sex?

Evelyn exhaled sharply, sinking into the couch as her gaze drifted to the window, lost in thought.

Then, her phone buzzed on the coffee table.

An unknown number flashed on the screen.

She hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

"Evelyn, what game are you playing?" Isabella's shrill voice pierced through the line.

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the phone. Had she known it was Isabella, she would’ve ignored it.

"What do you want?" she replied coolly.

"Did you hide Nathaniel from me? Do you honestly think keeping him from contacting me will make him love you? You're delusional!"

"Are you drunk?"

Evelyn's tone turned glacial, her eyes flashing with defiance.

Isabella's voice trembled with fury. "You moved out of Pineview Villa, didn’t you? So why are you still clinging to him? Playing hard to get? Do you really think Nathaniel will fall for that? He doesn’t love you—never has. He’s going to marry me."

"Mind your own business," Evelyn snapped. "And remember your place."

She couldn’t believe Isabella had the audacity to confront her when she was the one entangled in an inappropriate relationship with Nathaniel.

Without another word, Evelyn ended the call.

On the other end, Isabella nearly shattered her phone, her eyes darkening with venom. "Evelyn, you’ll regret this."

Lately, Isabella had been spiraling. Isaac had refused to compose a song for her, and with her new single’s release looming, she couldn’t secure a reputable lyricist—leaving her the laughingstock of the industry.

She blamed Evelyn for everything.

Her hatred festered.

But Evelyn remained oblivious—and indifferent.

She wasn’t surprised Isabella knew she’d moved out. But the accusation of playing hard to get? That stung in a way she couldn’t articulate.

Did Nathaniel see it that way too?

Her lips pressed into a thin line, her thoughts a tempest.

Dinner arrived courtesy of Samuel.

Before she could cook, he’d already brought the meal.

They ate in suffocating silence.

Afterward, Nathaniel returned to work. He seems fine now. Does that mean he’ll leave soon?

She didn’t ask. She wasn’t in the mood for another argument.

Later, after some solitude, Evelyn changed into workout gear and grabbed her phone, heading for the door.

She hadn’t told Nathaniel.

But just as her fingers brushed the doorknob, a hand slammed it shut.

Nathaniel’s brows furrowed, his voice icy. "Where do you think you’re going? Running away because you didn’t like what I said?"