Chapter 85

Evelyn couldn't help but turn toward the familiar voices, even though she knew she shouldn't.

There they were - Nathan Sterling and Isabella Delaney, walking arm in arm.

The city suddenly felt suffocatingly small.

Isabella tugged Nathan into the jewelry store, their intimate posture making Evelyn's stomach twist.

A bitter taste flooded her mouth as time seemed to freeze.

She'd just heard about their engagement, and now fate had thrown them together while ring shopping.

During their three-year marriage, Nathan had only ever given her one piece of jewelry - her wedding band.

He hadn't even bothered to learn her ring size, forcing her to secretly measure his sleeping finger.

Now here he was, personally selecting rings with Isabella.

The betrayal wasn't just from Nathan - it was from her own past naivety.

A warm pressure on her shoulder announced Julian's arrival. With his bandaged hand, he clumsily held up a sapphire ring. "How's my taste, princess?"

Evelyn shoved her dark thoughts aside, accepting the ring with a small smile. "Not bad. You chose your sister's design."

"Naturally. Great minds think alike." Julian moved in front of her, his broad frame blocking Nathan and Isabella from view. "I want you to have it."

"I can't. The tabloids would have a field day." She shook her head.

Undeterred, Julian dropped to one knee dramatically. "Then will you at least put it on me, my queen?"

The boutique erupted in squeals.

Was Julian Hartwell actually proposing?

With Evelyn Carter's own design, no less?

The staff clutched each other in excitement - this scandal was worth more than their paychecks.

Evelyn swatted his shoulder playfully. "Stop fooling around and get up!"

The assistants gasped louder.

Was she rejecting America's heartthrob?

What a power move!

Outside, paparazzi pressed against the glass, cameras flashing wildly before swarming inside.

"Julian! Are you and Ms. Carter engaged?"

He shrugged with practiced charm. "You saw - I got rejected. Guess I'll have to try harder."

The reporters laughed. "After surviving that car crash together, is she the one?"

Julian winked. "I'll let your imaginations run wild."

He expertly controlled the narrative, giving just enough for headlines without commitments.

"Give us the exclusive when you pop the question!"

"Of course. Now if you'll excuse us..." Julian gestured toward the rings, smoothly dismissing them.

Isabella watched the scene, nails digging bloody crescents into her palms. "Nathan, look how she's stringing along Dominic Kingsley and now Julian Hartwell."

Nathan's expression darkened dangerously.

His engagement to Isabella was purely political - but was Evelyn actually getting married?

To multiple men?

She'd truly become a different woman.

Before he could stop himself, Nathan stormed over. "You're already involved with Dominic. Why play games with Hartwell?"

Julian shoved Nathan back. "Back off. Who Evelyn sees is none of your damn business."

Tension crackled between the men.

Injured arm be damned, Julian was ready to throw down.

He'd waited years for this - ever since Nathan married Evelyn. Now that they were divorced, all bets were off.

Evelyn set the ring down slowly, her voice dripping ice. "By what right are you asking, Mr. Sterling?"