Chapter 217

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 into fists at her sides. She had known this meeting wouldn’t be easy, but the hostility radiating from Nathaniel’s mother, Victoria, was sharper than she’d anticipated.

“You’re late,” Victoria remarked coolly, her gaze sweeping over Evelyn with barely concealed disdain.

Evelyn forced a polite smile. “My apologies. There was an unexpected delay at the construction site.”

Nathaniel stepped forward, his presence a silent shield. “Mother, we’ve discussed this. Evelyn’s work is important.”

Victoria’s lips thinned, but before she could retort, Edward Martin, Nathaniel’s grandfather, cleared his throat from his seat at the head of the table. “Let’s not waste time with trivialities. We have matters to discuss.”

The room fell silent, the tension shifting into something heavier. Evelyn took her seat beside Nathaniel, her pulse quickening. She knew what was coming.

Edward folded his hands on the table, his sharp eyes locking onto Evelyn. “The board has raised concerns about your recent project, Evelyn. The delays and budget overruns are unacceptable.”

Evelyn’s jaw tightened. “With all due respect, Mr. Martin, the delays were caused by unforeseen structural issues. We’ve already adjusted the plans to stay within budget.”

“That’s not what the reports say,” Richard Martin, Nathaniel’s father, interjected, his tone clipped.

Nathaniel’s hand found Evelyn’s under the table, his fingers lacing with hers in silent support. “Father, if you’d actually reviewed the updated reports, you’d see the progress we’ve made.”

Victoria scoffed. “Progress? Or excuses?”

Evelyn inhaled sharply, her patience wearing thin. She met Victoria’s gaze head-on. “I understand your concerns, Mrs. Martin, but I assure you, this project will be completed on time and to the highest standard.”

Edward studied her for a long moment before nodding. “Very well. But if there are any further setbacks, we’ll have no choice but to reconsider your involvement.”

The unspoken threat hung in the air. Evelyn swallowed hard but refused to back down. “Understood.”

As the meeting adjourned, Nathaniel pulled her aside, his voice low. “Ignore them. They’re just trying to intimidate you.”

Evelyn exhaled shakily. “It’s working.”

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “You’re stronger than this. And you’re not alone.”

She leaned into his touch, drawing strength from his words. But as she glanced over his shoulder, she caught Isabella Davis watching them from across the room, her expression unreadable.

A chill ran down Evelyn’s spine.

Something told her the real battle was just beginning.

"So what exactly do you expect from me?" Nathaniel's voice was dangerously calm, his piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn. "Should I stay married to you so you can hide behind our union while you scheme with Isabella? Or perhaps you'd prefer to bear my child, only to raise it as if it were hers?"

Evelyn felt the sting of his words like a slap. Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms. She met his eyes, her own burning with defiance. "I'm only stating facts, Nathaniel."

A cold, humorless laugh escaped him. "You've grown bold, Evelyn. Bold enough to test my patience."

Anyone else might have mistaken his composed expression for indifference, but Evelyn knew better. The air around him crackled with suppressed fury.

She tilted her chin up. "I'm not testing anything. I'm just being honest."

"Are you finished?" His voice was low, edged with warning.

Evelyn didn’t respond. She simply held his gaze, her silence speaking volumes.

"Good," he said, his tone glacial. "Then get out of my sight."

The command was final, leaving no room for argument.

She knew what it meant—disappearing from his life, if only for tonight. But she couldn’t leave yet. Not without answers.

Evelyn swallowed hard. "When will you speak to Thomas?"

His lips curved into a mocking smile. "Ah, so this is about my help?" He stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. "Let me make myself clear. I’m not in the mood for your demands. Do you understand?"

"You're going back on your word," she accused, her voice trembling.

"Did I ever promise you anything?" he countered smoothly.

Evelyn inhaled sharply. He was right. He hadn’t. She had been foolish to pin all her hopes on him.

A bitter smile touched her lips. "You’re right. You never promised me anything. This was my mistake."

His expression remained unreadable. "Now that we’ve settled that, leave."

She hesitated, but there was nothing left to say.

She had been wrong. Wrong to trust him. Wrong to believe he would ever care.

Clenching her jaw, she turned and walked away, the weight of his dismissal pressing down on her. She barely remembered how she made it out of Pineview Villa. All she could see was Nathaniel’s cold, detached expression burned into her mind.

Back at her apartment, Evelyn forced a smile as Beatrice studied her. "Evelyn, dear, did something happen between you and Nathaniel?"

Evelyn knew exactly who she meant. She shook her head lightly. "No, Grandma. It’s nothing like that."

Beatrice hesitated before asking, "Are you still planning to divorce him?"

The question hung in the air. Evelyn exhaled, keeping her voice steady. "Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Just focus on taking care of yourself."

Beatrice nodded, sensing her granddaughter didn’t want to talk about it.

Later that evening, after ensuring Beatrice had eaten, Evelyn retreated to her own apartment across the hall. The silence was suffocating.

Charlotte had stayed with her for a few days, filling the space with laughter and chatter. Now, the emptiness was unbearable.

Evelyn sank onto the sofa, staring blankly at the wall. After a long moment, she reached for her phone and dialed a familiar number.

Just as she thought it would go to voicemail, the call connected.

"Evelyn?" Thomas’s warm voice greeted her.

"It’s me," she said softly. "Do you have time to talk?"