Chapter 45

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her drafting table. Her fingers hovered over the blueprints, but her mind was elsewhere—Nathaniel's unexpected call last night still echoed in her thoughts.

"Evelyn?" Gabrielle's voice broke her reverie. "Mr. Wilson is waiting in Conference Room B. He said it's urgent."

She straightened, smoothing her blazer. "Tell him I'll be right there."

Gregory Wilson stood by the window, his expression unreadable. "We have a problem," he said without preamble. "Summit Realty just pulled out of the Riverside project."

Evelyn's stomach dropped. "What? The contracts were signed last week!"

"Sebastian Wilson claims financing issues." Gregory's jaw tightened. "But I heard through the grapevine that Isabella Davis paid him a visit yesterday."

The name sent a chill down Evelyn's spine. Isabella—Nathaniel's ex, the woman who'd haunted their relationship from the start.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Nathaniel: We need to talk. Tonight. 8 PM at the penthouse.

The formal tone was unlike him. Evelyn's fingers trembled as she typed a reply, but Gabrielle burst in before she could send it.

"Breaking news!" Her assistant thrust a tablet forward. A gossip site displayed a grainy photo of Nathaniel leaving a luxury hotel with Isabella at 2 AM. The headline screamed: Martin Heir Rekindles Old Flame!

Evelyn's vision blurred. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything they'd—

"Evelyn?" Gregory gripped her shoulder. "Breathe. We'll handle this."

She numbly scrolled through the article. Quotes from "an insider" described Nathaniel's supposed regrets about their rushed marriage. The timestamp showed the photos were taken the same night he'd canceled their anniversary dinner, claiming a business emergency.

Her phone rang. Unknown number.

"Hello?" Evelyn barely recognized her own voice.

"Did you really think you could keep him?" Isabella's honeyed tones dripped venom. "Nathaniel always comes back to me. Always."

Click.

The world tilted. Evelyn gripped the table edge as Gregory swore under his breath.

"We're not done here," she whispered, fingers curling into fists. "Not by a long shot."

Somewhere in the building, an elevator pinged. Footsteps approached—fast. The door flew open to reveal Nathaniel, his usually impeccable tie loosened, eyes wild.

"Evelyn, it's not what it—"

She held up a silencing hand, the diamond wedding band catching the light. "Save it. I have a company to save." Turning to Gregory, she said coolly, "Call Jonathan Blake at Summit. Tell him we're invoking Clause 12B."

Nathaniel's face paled. "You can't—"

"Oh, I can." Evelyn met his gaze, her voice steady despite the hurricane inside. "And you're going to help me."

The clock on the wall ticked loudly in the sudden silence. Somewhere outside, a car horn blared. The game had changed.

And Evelyn Mitchell never lost.

The morning dragged on endlessly. By the time the courthouse staff had left for the day, Evelyn still sat in the car, waiting. Finally, Nathaniel arrived.

Samuel stepped forward. "Mrs. Martin, Mr. Martin needs to stay at the hospital with Ms. Davis. I’ll take you home."

"How is Isabella?"

"She’s stable. It was just a food allergy—her heart rate spiked, but the medication has it under control now."

"I see."

Samuel drove in silence. Evelyn clenched her fists, irritation simmering beneath her skin. If Isabella was fine, why couldn’t Nathaniel spare one hour to finalize their divorce?

Nothing ever took precedence over her.

When Evelyn returned to Pineview Villa, the staff looked uneasy. She turned to Alfred. "What caused Ms. Davis’s allergy?"

"Almonds. The chef overlooked it. But don’t worry, Evelyn."

She frowned. If Isabella is allergic to almonds, Nathaniel would’ve warned the staff. How did this happen?

Something felt off.

In the hospital, Isabella reclined against the pillows, an IV drip in her arm. The red splotches on her skin had faded, but her gaze remained fixed on Nathaniel, who sat nearby, typing on his laptop.

He’d stayed with her all day. The thought warmed her.

He still cares about me the most.

"Nathaniel," she murmured, "I’m fine now. If you have work, you should go."

"I’ll take you home after the IV." His voice was gentle.

"You’re too good to me." She smiled, the kind only a woman in love could.

His eyes met hers. "Your happiness matters."

Isabella hesitated. "Nathaniel… did you and Evelyn finish the paperwork?"

She’d wanted to ask earlier, but doctors and nurses had been in and out. Now, she held her breath, waiting for his confirmation.

Instead, silence stretched between them.

"Nathaniel?"

"It didn’t happen," he finally said.

Her pulse jumped. "Why not?"

"We were at the courthouse when Alfred called. You’d been hospitalized."

Her stomach twisted. Relief and frustration warred inside her. "I’m sorry. If I hadn’t—"

"It’s fine. The divorce can wait. Your health can’t."

She nodded, but unease settled in her chest.

If I hadn’t gotten sick… would he have gone through with it?

And then another thought: Alfred said the soup I ate was prepared under Nathaniel’s instructions. I barely had anything else. How did almonds end up in it?

The more she thought, the less she understood him.

At Martin Manor, Edward had already heard the news.

He said nothing, eyes closed as opera music played softly.

Victoria muttered, "Is Nathaniel bewitched by that woman? I need to meet her."

No one noticed the faint smirk on Edward’s lips.

That night, Nathaniel returned to their bedroom.

Evelyn was waiting. "Is Isabella alright?"

"A minor allergy. Nothing serious."

"Good." She took a breath. "Can we finalize the divorce tomorrow?"

His expression darkened. "I’m busy."

"Thirty minutes. That’s all it takes."

"No."

She stiffened. "The Martin Group won’t collapse if you step away for half an hour."

"Evelyn." His voice turned icy. "I have responsibilities. People depend on me. I won’t neglect them for personal matters."

Her nails dug into her palms. "Then when will you be free?"

"Not anytime soon."

Her chest tightened. "You had time to spend all morning with Isabella, but not thirty minutes for this?"

His gaze turned lethal. "You think you can compare yourself to her?"

The words struck like a slap.

Evelyn inhaled sharply. Of course. I mean nothing to him.

Nathaniel stepped closer. "Why the rush? Eager to run to Gregory?"

She lifted her chin. "Yes. So why delay?"

His jaw clenched. "You’re pushing your luck."

"You do as you please. Why can’t I?"

His hand shot out, gripping her chin. "You want to be with him?"

She didn’t flinch. "Why shouldn’t I? You’re marrying Isabella, aren’t you?"

A cold laugh escaped him. "You forget your place. In this marriage, I decide. Not you."

"We’re getting divorced. What does it matter?"

His grip tightened. "You’ll regret this."

She met his glare, unyielding.

Let him be angry. He doesn’t own me anymore.