Chapter 397

Nathaniel's voice remained steady as he asked, "Thomas, will you be joining us for dinner?"

"Not necessary. Her invitation means nothing." Thomas narrowed his eyes, shooting Penelope an icy glare. "Do you actually believe you're welcome here?"

He had no intention of doing Penelope any favors.

Penelope's face froze into an uncomfortable mask before she dropped her gaze in silence.

Turning back to Nathaniel, Thomas announced, "I'll take my leave now."

"Very well," Nathaniel murmured in response.

Thomas strode out first, with Penelope scrambling after him like an obedient shadow.

An oppressive silence settled over the dining room. Evelyn found her gaze drawn to Charlotte beside her. The woman was eating with apparent nonchalance, only to flash a bright smile when she noticed Evelyn watching. "Why the staring? Eat your food. I'm perfectly fine."

Evelyn's expression darkened with concern despite Charlotte's cheerful facade.

Nathaniel offered quietly, "I didn't invite him."

"Does it matter? Should I start avoiding Marseille just because he exists?" Charlotte's tone was light, but Evelyn knew better. The more her friend pretended indifference, the deeper the hurt ran.

What had begun as a pleasant evening had soured the moment Thomas and Penelope made their unwelcome appearance.

During the drive home, Charlotte kept up a steady stream of chatter, practically wearing a neon sign that screamed "I'M FINE" for Evelyn's benefit.

When they reached Beatrice's apartment where Charlotte was staying, Evelyn hesitated. "Let me stay with you tonight."

Charlotte saw right through her. "Con, seriously, I'm okay. I'm not some fragile doll. That's all ancient history now. We've got to move forward, right? Just tired tonight - big day at work tomorrow for your project, remember?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together, worry lines creasing her forehead. "Call me. For anything."

"Got it."

With a quick nod, Charlotte disappeared through the door under Evelyn's watchful gaze.

The moment the door clicked shut, Charlotte's cheerful mask crumbled. Her carefully maintained smile vanished, replaced by an expression of cold emptiness.

She'd fooled herself into believing she'd erased him completely. But tonight proved that absence only meant no one spoke his name - not that he'd truly left her heart or mind.

Back at their apartment, Evelyn's concern lingered. "Do you think Charlotte's really alright?"

"Would you like to go check on her?" Nathaniel asked softly.

Evelyn shook her head. Some wounds needed space to heal.

Still, curiosity gnawed at her. "How did Thomas know we'd be at Scarlett tonight? Has he been having Charlotte followed?"

"Unlikely. Probably overheard from staff. Thought it polite to say hello since it was just the two of us."

"Bringing Penelope along was polite?" Evelyn's protective instincts flared, her dislike for Penelope evident.

Nathaniel simply pulled her close, murmuring against her hair, "Shall I remind him to leave his fiancée at home next time?"

Evelyn didn't respond, but her silence spoke volumes.

Best friends stuck together, after all.

That night, sleep eluded Charlotte. Tossing restlessly, she finally abandoned the pretense and poured herself drink after drink by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She'd hoped alcohol would bring oblivion, but it only sharpened her awareness, leaving her painfully sober in her misery.

By 3 AM, an ambulance rushed Charlotte to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.

Through the long night of tests and treatments, as dawn's first light crept through the hospital windows, Evelyn and Nathaniel waited in exhausted silence on the stiff waiting room couch.

Nathaniel gently pulled Evelyn against him. "Rest your eyes. I'll wake you when she's conscious."

Evelyn shook her head stubbornly. "I'm not tired."