Chapter 374

Evelyn's brows knitted together as her gaze instinctively flicked to Nathaniel. "No thanks," she said coolly. "Since you two already have plans, you should go ahead without me."

Nathaniel's expression darkened. "You're not joining us for dinner?"

"No need. I just happened to be passing by, wondering if you were free to leave together. But since you're busy with Ms. Montgomery, I'll head back alone." Evelyn forced a polite smile, nodding at Cassandra before turning away sharply.

The moment her back was turned, the smile vanished.

Nathaniel caught up in an instant, his fingers curling around her wrist. "Let's go downstairs together," he murmured, voice low.

Evelyn didn't resist, letting him guide her silently. The three of them stepped into the elevator, tension thick in the confined space.

At the lobby, Nathaniel walked her to the car, holding the door open. "Should I ask Charlotte to join you for dinner? What would you like? I'll arrange it."

"Don’t bother. Ms. Montgomery is waiting—you shouldn’t keep her." Evelyn waved dismissively, signaling the driver to leave.

As the car pulled away, she exhaled sharply. "Take me to the hospital first."

She stopped at a bakery along the way, picking up Beatrice’s favorite pastries. At the hospital, she chatted lightly with her grandmother, carefully mentioning Nathaniel’s absence—blaming his hectic schedule. Beatrice, ever understanding, simply patted her hand and urged her to go home.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Charlotte had made spaghetti, but the silence between them was heavy.

Charlotte studied her for a long moment before finally breaking it. "You’re not going to tell me what’s wrong?"

Evelyn pushed her plate aside. "Nathaniel has this... college friend. They're working together now. Every time I go to the Martin Group, she’s there. And I just—" She hesitated. "We barely talk about anything beyond the baby, or Beatrice, or family obligations. It’s like we’re strangers."

Charlotte nodded slowly. "If there’s no common ground, make some. But if she’s as smart as she seems, she should know better than to hover around a married man. Unless she wants something."

"That’s her problem, not mine." Evelyn shrugged. It wasn’t Cassandra she was worried about—it was the growing distance between her and Nathaniel. The way work consumed him, leaving little room for anything else.

A confident woman didn’t waste time on jealousy.

That had always been Evelyn’s mantra. But with Cassandra monopolizing Nathaniel’s time, she’d started avoiding the Martin Group altogether. Out of sight, out of mind.

Two days passed uneventfully—until the call came from Martin Manor. Edward wanted them for dinner.

Evelyn hesitated, then dialed Nathaniel. "Your grandfather wants us there tonight. Should I go first, or wait for you?"