Chapter 86

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across our bedroom. I stirred awake to find Nathaniel already dressed, his crisp white shirt accentuating his broad shoulders. He turned, catching my gaze, and flashed that heart-stopping smile that still made my pulse race after all this time.

"Morning, Evelyn," he murmured, leaning down to brush his lips against my forehead. "Sleep well?"

"Better now that you're here," I teased, stretching beneath the satin sheets. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted from the kitchen where Alfred must have prepared breakfast.

Nathaniel's phone buzzed insistently. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening almost imperceptibly. "Samuel needs me at the office early. There's... something that needs my attention."

I sat up, instantly alert. "Everything alright?"

"Just routine Martin Group business," he said too quickly, adjusting his cufflinks. But I knew my husband - the slight tension in his jaw betrayed his words. Before I could press further, he kissed me again. "Don't worry. I'll see you at the gala tonight."

As the front door closed behind him, I reached for my own phone. Three missed calls from Gregory. My stomach dropped. He never called this early unless—

"Evelyn, thank God," Gregory's voice crackled through the line. "We have a situation. Summit Realty just pulled out of the waterfront project. Sebastian Wilson left a message saying they're taking their designs elsewhere."

The news hit like a physical blow. That project was our firm's biggest commission this year. "What reason did he give?"

"None. Just that it was a 'business decision.'" Gregory's tone darkened. "But get this - Isabella Davis was spotted having lunch with Jonathan Blake yesterday at The Oak Room."

Ice flooded my veins. Isabella. Nathaniel's ex who'd made no secret of wanting him back. And Jonathan was Summit's project manager. This couldn't be coincidence.

I was halfway through dressing when Caroline called. "You need to see this," she said without preamble. A second later, my screen lit up with a gossip column photo: Isabella draped over Nathaniel at some charity event last night, her manicured fingers possessively gripping his arm.

The caption burned my eyes: "Reconciliation in the air for Martin heir and former flame?"

My hands trembled as I scrolled to the next image - Nathaniel's expression unreadable as Isabella whispered something in his ear. He hadn't mentioned seeing her last night. Hadn't mentioned anything.

The bedroom door burst open. Gabrielle stood there, face pale. "Evelyn, you need to come to the office. Now. Someone just leaked confidential blueprints to the press - our entire Lakeside development is front-page news."

As I grabbed my bag, my phone buzzed again. Unknown number. The attached photo made my blood run cold: Nathaniel entering a hotel room, the timestamp from two hours ago. The next image showed Isabella stepping into the same room fifteen minutes later.

The final text read: "Some marriages are built on lies. Tonight, everyone will know yours is one of them."

She barely had time to complete her thought before his lips captured hers.

The space between them vanished in an instant, his mouth claiming hers with possessive urgency. After days of hectic schedules and stolen moments, Nathaniel found himself losing control, his teeth grazing her lower lip in a barely restrained bite.

Evelyn gasped against his mouth, hands instinctively pushing at his chest, but Nathaniel anticipated her resistance. He caught her wrists effortlessly, pinning them above her head against the wall, leaving her no room for protest.

Time dissolved as the kiss deepened. Evelyn's knees weakened, her body melting against his until only Nathaniel's firm grip kept her upright. When he finally pulled back, his breathing was ragged, his darkened gaze tracing the swollen curve of her lips.

"You destroy me, Evelyn," Nathaniel murmured, his voice rough with barely leashed desire.

Eyes wide with innocent confusion, Evelyn thought, I didn't even do anything!

Reading her expression, Nathaniel dragged his thumb across her damp lower lip. "Don't look at me like that, sweetheart."

The implication in his gravelly tone finally registered. Heat flooded Evelyn's cheeks as she squirmed in his hold. "Nathaniel, let go. I can't breathe."

His smirk turned wolfish. "Now you're just inventing excuses."

Evelyn pressed her lips into a stubborn line.

With surprising tenderness, he smoothed back her hair. "Just let me hold you. I'll behave." His arms encircled her waist, pulling her flush against him as satisfaction curved his mouth.

Long minutes passed before Nathaniel spoke again, his voice still thick. "Your friend arrives in Mayby tomorrow. As hosts, we should take him to dinner. Any dietary restrictions? I'll have Samuel reserve the private dining room at The Sapphire."

Evelyn shook her head. "That's unnecessary. He's quite shy—I planned to pick him up and dine alone. His accommodations are already arranged, and this is primarily a business trip. I don't want to overwhelm him."

Nathaniel's expression darkened. "You're ashamed to introduce me to your friends?"

"What? No!"

"Then why the secrecy? Is it because he's male? Or do you deliberately keep me separate from your life?" His tone brooked no argument, the unspoken demand clear—he would meet this friend.

Evelyn frowned. Since when did Nathaniel care about such formalities? Is he worried I'll embarrass him?

With a resigned sigh, she relented. "If you insist, I'll ask him first. If he agrees, we can all dine together. Satisfied?"

Nathaniel neither confirmed nor denied, leaving the decision hanging between them like an unspoken challenge.

Evelyn massaged her temples. What's gotten into him lately?

She pushed the thought aside. Their marriage had an expiration date—analyzing his every mood swing was pointless. Still, she noted with surprise that since Isabella's scandal broke, Nathaniel had shown zero interest in his ex. No calls came during their shared rides home, though texts remained a mystery.

(Isabella had, in fact, messaged repeatedly. Nathaniel left every notification unread. Not wanting to provoke his ire further, Isabella channeled her frustration into her secret Twitter account.)

Her latest post, thirty minutes prior, read:

[We belong together, but his family forced him into a marriage of convenience with her. When he finally sought divorce, she manipulated the elders to trap him. I refuse to be the other woman, yet walking away destroys me. A loveless union can't last—but must I be the one to surrender?]

Though posted anonymously, her devoted followers recognized her voice. Within minutes, thousands rallied behind "the wronged heroine," vilifying the unnamed schemer.

[Queen, we know it's you! Name the witch!]

[True love deserves fighting for!]

[We stand with you!]

The outpouring soothed Isabella's wounded pride—until reality intruded. No word from Isaac. No response from Nathaniel.

Having subtly hinted to industry contacts about her "upcoming collaboration with Isaac," failure now meant public humiliation. After a sleepless night, she devised a new approach.

The next morning found her parked outside Martin Group headquarters. Unlike previous visits, she remained in her car and dialed Nathaniel's private line.

"Nathaniel, forgive the interruption. Are you free?"

"Preparing for a board meeting. What do you need?"

"I'm downstairs. It's about... I think I remembered something last night regarding that matter..."

"Why wait until now?" His sharp tone betrayed unusual urgency.

Isabella bit her lip. "I feared you'd still be angry. Nathaniel, please—I know I was wrong. Don't shut me out?"

Her nails dug into her palms as silence stretched. Finally:

"Come up."

"But your meeting—"

"I'll send Samuel. Now."

Though his words were calm, Nathaniel's expression turned glacial as he ended the call. By the time Samuel announced Isabella's arrival, his mask of polite indifference was flawless.

"Ms. Davis," Nathaniel gestured to the sitting area, pouring her mineral water with practiced courtesy. "You usually don't hesitate to visit. Why the hesitation today?"

Isabella accepted the glass with trembling fingers. "I didn't want to be a distraction."

Nathaniel studied her over the rim of his coffee cup. "Still upset about the disciplinary measures?"