Chapter 158

"Evelyn, I admit I was wrong before. Had I known I'd be engaged to you, I would never have refused."

His words hung heavy in the air between them.

"But it's not too late. You're unattached, and so am I. Whenever you're ready, I'm here waiting," Adrian confessed.

He turned to leave her office.

Evelyn stopped him with a gentle hand on his arm. "Adrian, you deserve better than this. Don't waste your time on me."

A sad smile touched his lips. "You'll always be the best in my eyes. Don't feel pressured, Evelyn."

"My feelings are my own choice. Whether you choose me or not is entirely up to you. I can accept any outcome."

With that final declaration, Adrian walked out.

Yet his words haunted Evelyn all afternoon, making concentration impossible.

They'd only ever been friends - nothing more.

But Adrian had the stubbornness of a bull in spring, unwilling to surrender easily.

Evelyn exhaled sharply, forcing the thoughts away as she buried herself in paperwork. Just before closing, her phone buzzed with Beatrice's caller ID.

"Aunt Beatrice? Is everything alright?" Evelyn answered.

The older woman immediately detected the exhaustion in Evelyn's voice. "Working yourself to the bone again, aren't you?"

Evelyn managed a warm chuckle. "Not too bad, Aunt Beatrice!"

But Beatrice knew better. Evelyn was as much a workaholic as her son Harrison.

"Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? I've made your favorite homemade lasagna," Beatrice tempted.

Evelyn's stomach growled at the thought. "Absolutely! I've been craving your cooking."

"My dear, you mustn't let work consume you entirely. Harrison should be arriving at your office any moment to pick you up."

"Harrison is coming?" Surprise colored Evelyn's voice.

"He should be there any minute now," Beatrice confirmed.

As if summoned, Evelyn spotted Harrison through her office window.

A genuine smile bloomed across her face. "I see him now! See you tonight, Aunt Beatrice!"

She hung up and rushed out.

"Harrison!" She called.

He arched one perfect eyebrow, fingers playfully tousling her hair. "Did someone forget our little arrangement?"

Evelyn stuck out her tongue mischievously. "Just teasing you, Harry!"

Her whisper was for his ears only.

Diana Chamberlain observed them with carefully schooled indifference from the shadows. Inside, she burned.

The information she'd gathered from Eleanor and her private investigator had initially shocked her. Now it only fueled her contempt.

How could some divorced woman possibly deserve someone like Harrison?

"Ms. Carter!" Diana stepped forward with calculated timing.

Evelyn turned, puzzled. "I'm sorry, you are...?"

Diana remained silent, her gaze shifting pointedly to Harrison.

She'd expected him to make introductions. But Harrison's attention never wavered from Evelyn. Diana might as well have been invisible.

After years by his side, this was the first time he'd completely disregarded her existence.

Still, she maintained perfect composure, extending a manicured hand. "Hello Ms. Carter. We've met before. I'm Diana Chamberlain."