Chapter 35

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow across the bedroom. Evelyn stirred, her fingers brushing against the empty space beside her. Nathaniel had already left for work—again.

She sighed, rolling onto her back. The silence of the villa pressed in on her, heavy and suffocating. Alfred had left her breakfast tray on the nightstand, but the thought of food turned her stomach.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Gregory.

"Meeting with Summit Realty at 10. Sebastian is pushing for revisions. Can you make it?"

Evelyn groaned. Sebastian Wilson had been a thorn in her side since the project began. His constant nitpicking was exhausting.

"I’ll be there," she replied, forcing herself out of bed.

The shower did little to clear her head. As she dressed, her gaze lingered on the framed photo on the dresser—her and Nathaniel on their honeymoon, his arms wrapped around her waist, both of them laughing. When had they last laughed like that?

The drive to the office was a blur. Gabrielle greeted her with a stack of files and a frazzled expression.

"Sebastian’s already here," she whispered. "And he’s brought Jonathan Blake with him."

Evelyn clenched her jaw. Jonathan was worse than Sebastian—smug, condescending, always looking for flaws.

The conference room was tense. Sebastian leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Ah, Evelyn. So glad you could join us."

She forced a smile. "Let’s get started."

Two hours later, she was ready to scream. Sebastian had shot down every proposal, every adjustment.

"Your designs lack vision," he said dismissively.

Gregory shot her a warning look, but Evelyn had had enough.

"Then perhaps you should find another architect," she snapped.

The room fell silent. Sebastian’s smirk widened.

"Careful, Evelyn. You’re not irreplaceable."

Her phone buzzed again. A message from Nathaniel.

"Dinner tonight. Just us. 8 PM."

Her heart skipped. It had been weeks since they’d had a proper meal together.

She exhaled, refocusing on Sebastian. "I’ll make the revisions. But my vision stays."

His eyes gleamed. "We’ll see."

As the meeting adjourned, Gregory pulled her aside. "You okay?"

"No," she admitted. "But I will be."

Because tonight, she’d have Nathaniel back—even if just for a few hours. And right now, that was all she needed.

Evelyn was rendered utterly speechless.

Is Isabella deliberately provoking me because Nathaniel isn't home?

She scoffed inwardly.

Wasn't she all sweetness and light before? Why the sudden change now that Nathaniel's away?

Does she really think I'll just let her walk all over me?

Evelyn met Isabella's gaze coolly. "Isabella, so it's my fault he's coming home late? Perhaps you should reflect on yourself. Maybe he simply doesn’t want to see you. After all, he used to return on time before you moved in."

Of course, this was merely Evelyn retaliating.

In truth, Nathaniel had never been punctual before. But Evelyn had never dared interfere in his affairs.

Just having him return at all had always been enough for her.

Looking back, she realized how easily pleased she had been.

And now, even that small comfort was slipping away.

After delivering her retort, Evelyn ignored Isabella, focusing solely on her laptop screen.

Time blurred until, abruptly, Isabella burst into tears. "Evelyn, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have come here and disrupted your life with Nathaniel. You’re right to ask me to leave. I’ll pack my things now."

Evelyn blinked, bewildered.

What on earth is this woman playing at?

Before she could react, a deep voice cut through the tension. "What's going on here?"

Understanding dawned.

Evelyn’s lips curved slightly, but she said nothing, merely flicking a glance at Nathaniel before returning to her work.

Isabella immediately rushed to his side, her voice trembling. "It's nothing. Evelyn is right. It's only natural she’d want me gone. You two are still married, after all. I’m just an outsider. Nathaniel, I’ll leave tonight."

Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. "Evelyn, did you tell Isabella to leave?"

Hearing her name on his lips, Evelyn finally looked up.

Her expression was blank, her tone flat. "Does it matter if I did?"

"Evelyn, what do you mean by that?"

His face darkened, displeasure flickering in his gaze.

She laughed humorlessly. "Whether it was me or not, you’ve already decided to believe her. So why bother asking?"

"Evelyn, you did say it. You can dislike me, you can demand I leave, but don’t twist the truth."

Isabella stood with her head bowed, tears streaming down her cheeks, the picture of misery.

Nathaniel’s voice softened as he addressed her. "Isabella, no one is forcing you out."

She looked up at him, eyes glistening. "Nathaniel, thank you for believing me."

"Go upstairs and rest."

"Alright. You should rest soon too."

As Isabella ascended the stairs, a faint smile touched her lips.

Once she was gone, Nathaniel approached Evelyn, who continued ignoring him.

Frustrated, he snapped her laptop shut. "Evelyn, I’ve told you—Isabella staying here is temporary. Once arrangements are made, she’ll leave. Why must you push her?"

Evelyn couldn’t believe her ears.

He still thinks it was me?

She exhaled sharply. "Nathaniel, we’ve been married a year. You may not know me well, but I own my actions."

She grabbed her laptop and stood, but he caught her wrist. "Fine. Suppose I believe you didn’t say it. But did you know Grandfather wants me to arrange a match for you before our divorce?"

Evelyn froze.

She ignored his dismissive tone, zeroing in on the latter half of his words.

Her brows knitted. "You said Grandfather wants you to set me up with someone?"

"You didn’t know?"

"Should I have?"

A bitter resignation settled over her.

What is he implying now? That I went behind his back to Grandfather?

"Nathaniel, it’s just Grandfather’s concern for me. You needn’t trouble yourself. I haven’t asked for this, so you can pretend you never mentioned it."

Grandfather probably knows about the baby—worried I’ll raise the child alone. But I won’t jump into another relationship before I’ve even let go of Nathaniel.

Still, his intentions are good. I can’t fault him for that.

Nathaniel studied her, searching for truth in her words.

"Is the reason you refuse my help because you’re still hung up on your ex—or because there’s someone else already?"

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

He thinks I don’t need his help because I’m pining for a fabricated ex—or because I’ve set my sights on another?

Nathaniel, oh Nathaniel. You’ve spun so many theories, but have you ever considered the one I love is you*?*

She pressed her lips together, refusing to answer, meeting his gaze steadily. "Think what you want. I don’t need your matchmaking. Save that time for your precious Ms. Davis."

"Evelyn, must we argue every time we speak?"

"I’m not the one picking fights."

"Then why drag Isabella into this? I’ve told you—this is between us. It has nothing to do with her."

Evelyn remained composed. "Fine. I won’t mention her again."

He always insists it’s just between us, as if Isabella isn’t the reason we’re divorcing.

His bias is staggering.

So afraid I’ll grow to resent her.

Though the conversation ended, a chill settled in Evelyn’s heart.

That night, they shared the same bed—yet miles apart. No words, no touches.

The dynamic had shifted. Where Evelyn had once been the one reaching out, now there was only silence.

And Nathaniel failed to notice.

The next morning, breakfast for two had become three.

Evelyn ate quietly, relieved her nausea didn’t act up. Otherwise, she’d have needed an excuse.

She left without a word.

In this trio, one person was always superfluous.

And Evelyn knew exactly who that was.

Once she was gone, Isabella turned to Nathaniel. "Nathaniel, Evelyn seems upset."

He didn’t respond, Evelyn’s silent departure replaying in his mind. His voice was calm. "Isn’t Vanessa preparing your comeback? Focus on that. Other matters don’t concern you."

Isabella hesitated. "Nathaniel, are you angry about last night?"