Chapter 215

The moment Evelyn stepped into the grand hall of the Martin estate, she felt the weight of countless eyes on her. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made her fingers curl instinctively into fists. She had known this confrontation was inevitable, but facing Nathaniel’s family—especially after everything that had happened—was far from easy.

Nathaniel stood beside her, his presence steady and reassuring. His hand brushed against hers, a silent promise that he wouldn’t let her face this alone. But Evelyn knew better. No matter how much he shielded her, the Martins had their own opinions, and they weren’t known for holding back.

Edward Martin, Nathaniel’s grandfather, sat at the head of the long dining table, his sharp gaze assessing her with unnerving precision. Richard and Victoria, Nathaniel’s parents, flanked him, their expressions unreadable.

"You’re late," Edward remarked, his voice cool.

Nathaniel didn’t flinch. "Traffic."

A lie. They both knew it. They’d spent an extra twenty minutes arguing in the car—Evelyn insisting she wasn’t ready, Nathaniel refusing to let her back out.

Victoria’s lips thinned. "We were beginning to think you’d changed your mind about joining us."

Evelyn forced a polite smile. "I wouldn’t miss it."

The words tasted bitter. She had considered skipping this dinner, but Nathaniel had been adamant. "They need to see us together," he’d said. "They need to understand this is real."

As if sensing her unease, Nathaniel’s fingers intertwined with hers under the table. The gesture was small, but it grounded her.

Richard cleared his throat. "So, Evelyn. Nathaniel tells us you’ve been working on a new project?"

She nodded, grateful for the neutral topic. "Yes, a sustainable housing development in the city’s east district. It’s still in the early stages, but we’re hoping to break ground by next quarter."

Edward’s brows lifted slightly. "Ambitious."

"It is," she agreed. "But necessary."

A flicker of approval crossed his face before he turned his attention to Nathaniel. "And how does this affect your responsibilities at Martin Group?"

Nathaniel didn’t miss a beat. "It doesn’t. Evelyn’s work is her own. My focus remains on the company."

Evelyn resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The Martins loved their power plays, and Edward was testing them—seeing if Nathaniel would prioritize her over the family business.

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur of polite conversation and veiled jabs. By the time dessert was served, Evelyn’s nerves were frayed.

Then Edward set down his fork and looked directly at her. "Tell me, Evelyn. Do you truly believe you’re what’s best for my grandson?"

The room fell silent.

Nathaniel stiffened beside her, but Evelyn met Edward’s gaze head-on. "That’s not for me to decide," she said calmly. "But I love him. And I won’t walk away just because it’s inconvenient for your family."

A beat of silence. Then, to her surprise, Edward chuckled. "Good answer."

Nathaniel exhaled slowly, his grip on her hand tightening.

But as Evelyn glanced around the table, she caught the storm brewing in Victoria’s eyes. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

And when Isabella’s name was mentioned in passing—a casual remark about her latest charity event—Evelyn felt the temperature in the room drop.

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. "Isabella isn’t relevant to this conversation."

Victoria smiled thinly. "Isn’t she?"

Evelyn’s stomach twisted.

The game had just begun.

"No reason. I simply find it unnecessary," Nathaniel replied coldly, his tone leaving no room for further discussion with Isabella.

His indifference made her hesitate, her confidence wavering for the first time.

"I just think it's unnecessary."

Those words shattered whatever restraint Isabella had left. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, her voice trembling with desperation. "Nathaniel, were you just waiting for me to give up? The moment I say it's over, you'd walk away without a second thought, wouldn't you?"

Nathaniel remained silent, letting her vent her frustration.

Isabella continued, her voice breaking, "Why can't you just agree? If you don’t love Evelyn, why stay married to her? It was me who met you first. Me who sacrificed everything for you. How could you just throw me away like this?"

Her emotions spiraled—tears, anger, accusations—yet Nathaniel stood unmoved, his expression as cold and unreadable as the Arctic depths.

"Isabella, you're not thinking clearly. We'll talk when you've calmed down. If you’re willing to adjust your demands, I’ll do what I can. But if you insist on this path, then I’m sorry. I can’t give you what you want."

With that, he turned to leave.

Isabella’s composure snapped. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him in a desperate embrace. "Nathaniel, how can you be so cruel?"

Nathaniel stiffened, his jaw tightening. Without hesitation, he pried her off, his voice sharp. "Isabella, control yourself."

She shook her head, her vision blurred with tears. Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Evelyn approaching from the foyer.

Seizing the moment, Isabella grabbed Nathaniel’s face, pulling him toward her as if to kiss him.

Nathaniel recoiled instantly, his expression darkening. He glared down at her, his patience clearly at its limit.

Evelyn stood at the threshold of the living room, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing the graceful lines of her forearms. She watched them with detached amusement, her gaze flickering between them like a spectator at a play.

A faint smirk curved her lips as she said, "My apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt."

Nathaniel’s eyes locked onto her. She stood perfectly still, her smile not quite reaching her cold, unreadable eyes.

When their gazes met, Evelyn held it for only a second before looking away. Then, she turned her attention to Isabella, who wore a triumphant smirk.

Evelyn felt nothing.

Without waiting for a response, she shrugged. "Don’t let me stop you. I’ll be in the dining room."

She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Nathaniel staring after her, his frown deepening.

Isabella clutched at his sleeve, whispering urgently, "See? She doesn’t care about you. If she loved you, she wouldn’t just walk away like that. She—"

"Enough, Isabella." Nathaniel’s voice cut through her words like ice. "Must you humiliate us both before you’re satisfied?"

His sharp tone froze her in place.