Chapter 51

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains as Evelyn stretched beneath the silk sheets. Her fingers brushed against the cold emptiness beside her - Nathaniel had already left for his early meeting. The digital clock blinked 7:32 AM in bold red numbers.

She reached for her phone, finding three unread messages. The first was from Gabrielle, her assistant, reminding her about the client presentation at ten. The second was from Charlotte, her best friend, suggesting lunch at that new Italian place downtown. The third made her fingers freeze mid-swipe.

Isabella Davis flashed across the screen.

Evelyn's throat tightened as she opened the message. "We need to talk. Coffee at The Grind? 9 AM." Simple words that carried the weight of a thousand unspoken threats.

The shower water scalded her skin as she tried to wash away the unease. Steam fogged the bathroom mirror, obscuring her reflection - perhaps a small mercy. She dressed mechanically in a navy blue pantsuit, her fingers fumbling with the pearl buttons.

Alfred, their butler, greeted her in the foyer with her usual espresso. "Madam, your car is ready." His kind eyes held unspoken concern. She'd been unusually quiet this morning.

The drive to the café took fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes of rehearsing what she might say, how she'd react. The Grind was nearly empty at this hour, its rustic charm lost on her today.

Isabella sat in the corner booth, her platinum blonde hair cascading over one shoulder. She looked up as Evelyn approached, her crimson lips curling into a smile that didn't reach her cold blue eyes.

"Evelyn." Isabella gestured to the seat opposite her. "I ordered you a latte. Still your favorite, isn't it?"

Evelyn remained standing. "What do you want, Isabella?"

The other woman's smile faltered. "Straight to business then." She reached into her designer handbag and slid a manila envelope across the table. "I thought you should see these before the press does."

Evelyn's fingers trembled as she opened the envelope. Photographs spilled out - Nathaniel and Isabella at various locations, their body language intimate. The most damning one showed them embracing outside a hotel, dated just three nights ago when Nathaniel had claimed to be working late.

Her vision blurred. The café sounds faded into white noise. Isabella's voice cut through the haze.

"He never stopped loving me, Evelyn. You were just... convenient."

Evelyn's phone buzzed violently in her pocket. Nathaniel's name flashed on the screen. She rejected the call with numb fingers.

Isabella leaned forward, her perfume suddenly overwhelming. "Do us all a favor and walk away. Before this gets ugly."

The latte sat untouched as Evelyn turned on her heel and walked out, the photographs crumpled in her fist. The morning sun that had seemed so gentle now burned her skin as she stumbled toward her car.

Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was an alert from the architectural firm's security system. Someone had accessed her private office files after hours last night.

The pieces clicked together with terrifying clarity. This wasn't just about Nathaniel. Isabella was playing a much bigger game. And Evelyn had just walked right into her trap.

"Isabella, you're worrying too much. You don't have to stay here with me. Aren't you busy preparing for your comeback?"

Nathaniel's tone was indifferent, his expression unreadable.

"My comeback isn't as important as you are. You got hurt because of me. I should be here taking care of you."

Every time Isabella thought about him risking his life in that accident just to find her, her heart swelled with both joy and fear. Joy, because he still cared. Fear, because he had been in danger.

But right now, he didn’t seem pleased at all.

Lowering her voice, Isabella murmured, "Nathaniel, Evelyn hasn’t visited you. Is she upset? I can apologize to her. I don’t want Edward to blame you for this. I’ll explain everything to her myself."

"No. My grandfather won’t find out about my injuries. I’m tired. You should go. It’s not appropriate for you to stay here every day."

His voice was quiet, his demeanor cold.

Before Isabella could respond, the door to the ward swung open. Both of them turned to see a familiar figure standing there.

Thomas smirked as he took in the scene. "Injured for a damsel in distress? People will sing your praises when this gets out."

Then his gaze shifted to Isabella. "Oh, Isabella’s here too. Long time no see. How have you been?"

"Thomas, it’s been a while. I’m fine." Isabella quickly stood to greet him, then glanced nervously at Nathaniel. "Nathaniel got hurt because of me. Please don’t tease him."

Thomas merely chuckled, but his eyes held something deeper as he studied Nathaniel.

With Thomas present, Isabella didn’t linger. She excused herself and left the ward—though she didn’t go far, lingering just outside the door.

Thomas wasted no time. "Nathaniel, you’re laid up like this, and Evelyn hasn’t come to see you? Did you not tell her? Or is she pissed you got hurt for Isabella?"

Nathaniel’s frown deepened, his glare sharp.

Thomas ignored it.

"What’s going on in that head of yours? If you can’t get divorced right now, you should at least keep your distance from Isabella. You can’t have both, you know. That’s just greedy."

"Thomas, if you’re bored, I can find something to occupy you."

Nathaniel’s voice was laced with warning.

"I’m just stating facts."

"Are you done? Get out."

Thomas grinned. "Want me to fetch Evelyn for you?"

"No need."

"I insist. You reek of disinfectant. Haven’t showered, have you? Must be uncomfortable. Wouldn’t want your reputation ruined. I’ll bring Evelyn over."

Nathaniel said nothing.

Thomas couldn’t tell if that was agreement or refusal.

Leaning in, he murmured, "Or should I ask Isabella to help you shower? I can pass along the message."

"Get lost."

Nathaniel’s glare was icy.

Thomas laughed, then abruptly sobered. "Was this really an accident?"

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. "Does it matter? The rain that night washed everything away."

Some truths weren’t ready to surface yet.

Thomas didn’t press further.

Just then, a voice carried in from outside. "Ms. Davis, what are you doing here?"

It was Samuel.

Even through the door, his words were clear.

Nathaniel and Thomas exchanged a glance.

Isabella turned to face Samuel as he approached. "I wanted to ask Nathaniel if he’d like something to eat. I’ll prepare it for him."

Samuel nodded, then stepped inside.

After greeting Thomas, he said, "Mr. Martin, Ms. Davis asked if you’d like something to eat."

Isabella followed him in, her eyes flickering to Nathaniel. Seeing his unchanged expression, she added softly, "You should eat something. I’ll go home and have the chef make you some soup, okay?"

Nathaniel replied flatly, "Fine."

Thomas immediately cut in. "I’ll drive Isabella back. It’s been ages since we caught up."

Nathaniel didn’t object. Isabella couldn’t refuse.

Once outside the hospital, Thomas drove Isabella back to Pineview Villa.

Isabella smiled gently. "Thomas, thank you for the ride."

"Don’t mention it. We’re friends."

Thomas’s smile was light. Then he asked, "You’re staying at Pineview now?"

"Yes. Nathaniel was worried about my safety, so he insisted I stay here temporarily."

"He’s very good to you."

"He always has been."

Thomas glanced at her but said nothing more.

They made small talk to fill the silence.

Soon, they arrived.

Isabella offered politely, "Thomas, would you like to come in for coffee?"

"Sure. Thanks."

His quick agreement caught her off guard, but she recovered swiftly, ushering him inside with enthusiasm. She handed him slippers, led him to the living room, and called for a servant to bring coffee.

She moved like the lady of the house.

Alfred himself brought the coffee. Recognizing Thomas, he greeted him. Thomas asked, "Where’s Evelyn?"

"Ms. Mitchell is likely at the office," Alfred answered.

Thomas nodded. "Call her back. After all, she’s the hostess here."

Alfred didn’t hesitate. "Right away, sir."

"Thanks."

Thomas smiled faintly, then turned to Isabella—whose face had gone pale—and asked, "Isabella, you don’t mind, do you?"