Chapter 152

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her drafting table. Her fingers flew over the blueprints, making precise adjustments with her mechanical pencil. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint aroma of ink from the printer.

Gabrielle knocked lightly before entering, balancing a stack of files in one arm. "The revised contracts from Summit Realty just arrived," she announced, placing them carefully on the edge of Evelyn's desk. "Sebastian Wilson's assistant called—they need your signature by noon."

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples. "Of course they do." She reached for her coffee cup, only to find it empty. "Could you—"

"Already on it," Gabrielle interrupted with a knowing smile, grabbing the mug. "Double shot latte, no sugar. And I took the liberty of rescheduling your three o'clock with the zoning committee to tomorrow."

"You're an angel," Evelyn murmured, turning back to her designs. The new waterfront development project had been consuming her every waking hour since Nathaniel had entrusted her with it. The weight of responsibility pressed against her chest, but she welcomed the challenge.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Nathaniel: Dinner at Le Ciel tonight. 8pm. Wear the blue dress. She bit her lip to suppress a smile. Even after all this time, his commanding texts still sent a thrill through her.

The office door burst open before she could reply. Gregory stormed in, his usually impeccable tie loosened. "We have a problem," he announced, tossing a newspaper onto her desk.

Evelyn's stomach dropped as she read the headline: Martin Group Heir's Secret Affair with Former Flame Revealed. Below it was a grainy photo of Nathaniel and Isabella leaving a hotel together, taken just last night.

Her fingers trembled as she dialed Nathaniel's number. It went straight to voicemail. Again.

Gabrielle returned with the coffee, her eyes widening at the tension in the room. "Everything okay?"

Evelyn stood abruptly, knocking over her chair. "Cancel all my appointments," she said through gritted teeth, grabbing her purse. "I need to pay a visit to Martin Tower."

As she marched toward the elevator, her phone pinged with another message—this time from an unknown number. The attached photo showed Nathaniel and Isabella in what appeared to be a passionate embrace, timestamped just thirty minutes ago.

The elevator doors slid open to reveal Caroline, her cousin's face pale. "Evelyn, I just heard—"

"Not now," Evelyn cut her off, stepping inside. She pressed the lobby button with more force than necessary. As the doors closed, she caught a glimpse of her reflection—eyes blazing, jaw set. The perfect picture of a woman about to wage war.

The elevator descended, and with each passing floor, Evelyn's mind raced. She'd trusted Nathaniel completely. Given him everything. And now? Now she would get answers, even if she had to tear down Martin Tower brick by brick to get them.

The icy edge in Evelyn's voice made Nathaniel's jaw tighten. His fingers curled around the phone as he spoke with forced calm. "These aren't grounds for divorce, Evelyn. But if you insist on speaking to me like this, fine. I'll believe you—if you come to my car right now."

A bitter laugh escaped her. "You're still not listening, Nathaniel. This isn't about walking to your car. It's about trust—or the lack of it. Even if we patch things up today, what happens tomorrow?"

"So you'd rather have dinner with Gregory than talk to me?" His voice dropped dangerously low.

"I didn't know you were coming," she countered. "And I won't cancel on him last minute."

"Evelyn." His tone was glacial. "Are you trying to provoke me?"

"If this is all it takes to upset you, then I don't know what to say."

Just then, Gregory's car pulled up beside her. He rolled down the window, his gaze flickering past her to the black Mercedes idling nearby. "Evelyn, hop in."

She nodded, then glanced—almost involuntarily—at Nathaniel's car. He must have heard Gregory. With a quiet exhale, she said, "I'm leaving for dinner. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

Silence.

Evelyn frowned and ended the call.

Sliding into Gregory's passenger seat, she barely registered the way he accelerated past Nathaniel's car faster than necessary.

Gregory stole a glance at her. "Evelyn, did Nathaniel come here for something important?"

"No. Just another argument about the divorce he refuses to accept." Her voice was hollow as she stared out the window, her reflection blurred against the passing city lights.

Gregory's grip on the wheel tightened. He knew better than anyone how deeply Evelyn had loved Nathaniel. The fact that she was the one initiating the divorce now—it didn't make sense.

"So he's the one holding on?" he mused aloud.

Cautiously, he probed further. "Evelyn, why now? He's finally acknowledging your relationship publicly. Shouldn't that make you happy? What changed?"

She didn't answer immediately, turning his question over in her mind.

The truth was, Nathaniel's public acknowledgment had stunned her more than it pleased her. She'd never expected it, and when it happened, all she felt was a dull ache of disbelief.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Maybe I've gotten greedy. I want more than he's willing to give. And the one thing I need most? He refuses."

She still hadn't told Gregory about the pregnancy. She wasn't sure why—maybe she didn't want to drag him deeper into her mess.

From that day on, Nathaniel stopped reaching out.

Work, however, forced them into occasional proximity. Evelyn, Gregory, and their team sometimes dined at the upscale restaurants the Martin Group frequented for client meetings. More than once, they crossed paths with Nathaniel in the lobby or at the entrance.

But each time, Nathaniel walked past as if she were invisible—no glance, no acknowledgment.

Even Daniel and the others noticed the tension, though none dared to comment.

This strained dance continued until the morning Gregory called in a panic.

"Evelyn, we have a problem. The Martin Group just terminated our contract."

Her blood ran cold. "What? Why?"