Chapter 248

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, illuminating the blueprints spread across her desk. Her fingers traced the intricate lines of the latest project—a luxury resort in the Maldives. The design was ambitious, but she thrived on challenges.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Evelyn, do you have a minute?" Gabrielle, her assistant, peeked in, holding a tablet.

"Of course," Evelyn replied, leaning back in her chair.

Gabrielle stepped inside, her expression hesitant. "I just received a call from Mr. Wilson. He wants to discuss the budget revisions for the Maldives project. He sounded... urgent."

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples. Gregory Wilson, her business partner, had been increasingly difficult lately. His constant nitpicking was wearing on her patience. "Tell him I'll call him back in an hour. I need to finish reviewing these plans first."

Gabrielle nodded and turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Nathaniel called earlier. He said he’d be home late tonight—another board meeting."

Evelyn’s lips tightened. Lately, Nathaniel had been drowning in work, their time together dwindling to stolen moments. She missed him.

Her phone buzzed—a message from Isabella.

"We need to talk. It’s important."

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. Isabella, Nathaniel’s ex, had been lurking in the shadows of their marriage like a persistent ghost. What could she possibly want now?

Before she could reply, another notification popped up—this time from Charlotte, her best friend.

"Emergency girl talk. Café Noir in 30?"

Evelyn exhaled sharply. It seemed the universe had conspired to derail her day.

Gathering her things, she shot a quick text to Nathaniel.

"We need to talk tonight. No excuses."

Whatever storm was brewing, she wouldn’t face it alone.

Evelyn's silence spoke volumes, her lips pressed into a thin line as she avoided Nathaniel's piercing gaze.

His voice was deceptively calm, but the undercurrent of tension was unmistakable. "Evelyn, do you honestly believe I'm only here because of the baby?"

Her breath hitched.

What was he implying?

Was there something more between them—something beyond obligation, beyond the child binding them together?

She refused to let herself hope. Instead, she met his eyes, her own unreadable.

Nathaniel exhaled, his stern expression softening as he reached for her hand. "Evelyn, let's not go through with the divorce. Don’t you want our child to grow up with both parents?"

Her pulse stuttered. For a moment, she couldn’t speak.

She knew why he was saying this. It wasn’t about her. It was about the pregnancy.

And that realization carved a hollow ache in her chest.

If he had said these words months ago—when she still foolishly believed their marriage could be salvaged—she might have melted into his arms.

But not now.

Not when she had already accepted the truth.

Nathaniel didn’t love her. He never had. No matter how much she tried, that fact wouldn’t change.

And she refused to humiliate herself any further.

Evelyn remained silent, her fingers curling into the sheets. Sensing her resistance, Nathaniel smoothly changed the subject. "I’ll have Alfred bring you something to eat."

She nodded faintly, and the room lapsed into an uneasy quiet.

Despite his attentiveness—despite the way he hovered near her—an invisible weight pressed down on her heart.

Hours passed, and Nathaniel never left. "If you need anything, just say the word," he murmured, his voice low.

She wanted to tell him to go. That she didn’t need his pity.

But the words died on her tongue. Instead, she simply nodded again.

After a quick shower, she found him on a tense phone call, his jaw clenched, his tone sharp.

When he hung up, he placed a glass of warm water beside her and said gently, "There’s an issue with the new media division. I need to handle it, but I won’t be long. Rest if you’re tired."

"Alright," she murmured.

As he settled onto the sofa, his laptop open, she couldn’t help but notice the exhaustion lining his face.

After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke up. "Nathaniel, is everything alright?"

He glanced up, surprised. "Just complications with the new project. Nothing I can’t handle."

She didn’t doubt that.

Still, she suggested, "You should go home. The doctor said I’m fine. You won’t get proper rest here."

His gaze darkened. "Do you really think I’d leave you alone?"

"I’m not an invalid," she countered. "I can take care of myself."

"You’re not just taking care of yourself anymore," he said firmly. "If it makes you feel better, think of it as me staying for the baby."

But they both knew that wasn’t the real reason.

Evelyn frowned, unable to decipher his stubborn insistence.