Chapter 247

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her blueprints. She rubbed her temples, trying to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to last night’s argument with Nathaniel.

Her phone buzzed—Isabella’s name flashed on the screen.

Evelyn hesitated before swiping to answer. "What do you want?"

Isabella’s voice was smooth, almost mocking. "Just checking in. You sounded… tense last night."

Evelyn’s grip tightened around her pen. "If you called to gloat, save it."

A soft laugh. "Oh, Evelyn. I don’t need to gloat. Nathaniel’s already doing that for me."

The words stung. Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Is there a point to this call?"

"Actually, yes." Isabella’s tone shifted, turning businesslike. "I heard about your latest project. Summit Realty’s deal, right? Such a shame if something… happened to it."

Evelyn’s blood ran cold. "What did you do?"

"Me? Nothing." A pause. "Yet."

The line went dead.

Evelyn shot up from her chair, knocking over her coffee. Gabrielle rushed in, eyes wide. "Evelyn? What’s wrong?"

She grabbed her coat. "Get Gregory on the phone. Now."

Nathaniel stood at the edge of the construction site, surveying the progress. The new Martin Group tower was nearly complete, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

Samuel approached, clearing his throat. "Sir, the board is expecting your decision on the merger."

Nathaniel barely glanced at the documents. "Tell them I’ll handle it."

Samuel hesitated. "And… Evelyn called earlier. She sounded upset."

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. "Not now."

His phone buzzed—Isabella. He ignored it.

Then a second message lit up the screen: "You should really answer. It’s about Evelyn."

His thumb hovered over the call button.

A gust of wind sent dust swirling around him, mirroring the chaos in his mind.

Gregory met Evelyn at the Summit Realty offices, his expression grim. "We have a problem."

Sebastian Wilson, the CEO, stood with arms crossed. "Your designs were leaked. The investors are pulling out."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. "Leaked? How?"

Sebastian’s gaze darkened. "That’s what I’d like to know. Unless you’re working with someone who wants this deal to fail?"

The accusation hung in the air.

Gregory stepped forward. "We’ll fix this."

Evelyn’s phone buzzed—Nathaniel. She silenced it.

First, she had to salvage her career.

Then, she’d deal with her marriage.

Nathaniel's expression softened as he murmured, "You need to eat more."

With playful defiance, he picked up the spoon and brought it toward her lips.

Evelyn stiffened, caught off guard. "What are you doing?" she demanded.

Nathaniel arched a brow. "What? You're not finishing your food. Someone has to." His tone carried a teasing edge, laced with mock offense.

A flush crept up her neck as she looked away, unsettled by his boldness.

After the meal, exhaustion pulled Evelyn into sleep. Nathaniel remained beside her, only stepping away briefly to call his grandfather.

"Grandpa, Evelyn's pregnant. You got your wish," Nathaniel announced.

Edward's voice sharpened with surprise. "How did you find out?"

Nathaniel caught the implication instantly. "So you already knew?"

Edward scoffed. "Evelyn told me, not you. Maybe you should ask yourself why." His tone turned stern. "Now that you know, don’t mess this up. I want a great-grandchild, but if you lose Evelyn, this family falls apart anyway."

Nathaniel clenched his jaw, his gaze dropping to Evelyn’s peaceful face. The urge to shake her awake and demand answers burned in his chest.

Meanwhile, Victoria snatched the phone from Edward, her excitement bubbling over. "How is Evelyn? The baby? I’m coming to see her right now—"

Nathaniel cut her off smoothly. "Give it a few days. Your enthusiasm might overwhelm her."

Victoria gasped. "Excuse me?"

"You're too worked up. Calm down first," Nathaniel advised dryly.

She laughed but relented. "Fine. But if you don’t treat her right, you’ll regret it."

Once the call ended, Victoria whirled on Edward, indignant. "Why didn’t you tell me? You and Evelyn kept this a secret from the rest of us!"

Edward coughed awkwardly, but Richard intervened before she could press further.

Still, the news was cause for celebration. The timing didn’t matter—only that the family would grow.

Back in the dim hospital room, Evelyn stirred awake, realization dawning. Nathaniel knows.

Her thoughts tangled. She refused to stay in a hollow marriage just for a child.

No.

I won’t do that.

Her resolve hardened, eyes glinting with determination.

Nathaniel’s voice broke through her thoughts. "Hungry? What do you want to eat?"

She met his gaze evenly. "Nathaniel, you don’t have to stay. I’m fine—just tired. The baby doesn’t change my decision about us. We can co-parent, but not as a couple."

She needed him to understand—she was keeping the baby, but not him.

Nathaniel’s expression darkened, something raw flickering beneath the surface. "You think I’m only here because of the child?" His voice was dangerously quiet.