Chapter 186

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, casting golden streaks across the marble floors. Evelyn stretched lazily, her fingers brushing against the silk sheets. Beside her, Nathaniel was already awake, his piercing blue eyes watching her with an intensity that still made her heart skip a beat.

"You're staring," she murmured, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Can't help it," he replied, his voice low and rough from sleep. "You're breathtaking."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the warmth spreading through her chest. Three years of marriage, and he still had the power to make her feel like the most desired woman in the world.

Their peaceful moment was interrupted by the shrill ring of Nathaniel's phone. He groaned, reaching for it on the nightstand. Evelyn caught the name flashing on the screen—Samuel Yates. His secretary.

Nathaniel answered with a clipped, "What?"

Evelyn watched as his expression darkened. His jaw tightened, and his grip on the phone turned white-knuckled. Whatever news Samuel was delivering, it wasn't good.

When he hung up, Nathaniel exhaled sharply, running a hand through his tousled hair. "We have a problem."

Evelyn sat up, the sheets pooling around her waist. "What kind of problem?"

"The kind that involves Isabella Davis."

Her stomach dropped. Isabella—Nathaniel's ex and the woman who had once tried to tear them apart. She hadn't heard that name in months.

"What did she do now?" Evelyn asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.

Nathaniel met her gaze, his eyes stormy. "She's back in the city. And she's not alone."

Evelyn's pulse quickened. "Who's with her?"

"Vanessa." Isabella's ruthless agent.

A cold dread settled over Evelyn. Vanessa wasn't just Isabella's manager—she was the mastermind behind every scandal, every carefully orchestrated attack on their relationship. If she was involved, this wasn't just a social call.

Nathaniel's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message. He glanced at it, then cursed under his breath.

"What?" Evelyn demanded.

He turned the screen toward her. A single photo filled the display—Isabella, standing outside the Martin Group headquarters, a smirk playing on her lips. The caption beneath it sent a chill down Evelyn's spine:

"Miss me?"

Evelyn's fingers curled into fists. "She's not here to reminisce."

Nathaniel's expression hardened. "No. She's here for war."

And just like that, the peace of their morning shattered.

The elevator doors slid open to reveal the dimly lit parking garage. Nathaniel remained close behind Evelyn and Charlotte as they walked toward their cars. Evelyn spun around abruptly when they reached her vehicle. "Mr. Yates, go ahead and deal with whatever Nathaniel needs."

Samuel gave a curt nod but didn’t move. Just then, the door of the sleek black car beside them swung open, and Nathaniel stepped out.

His gaze locked onto Evelyn, intense and unreadable, though his voice remained deceptively calm. "Get in. I’ll drive you home. Samuel can take your car."

Evelyn’s brows knitted together. "That’s unnecessary. I can drive myself."

"Evelyn," Nathaniel said, his tone dropping dangerously low. "Do you honestly think I’ll let you walk away that easily?"

She glared at him, irritation flashing in her eyes. "Nathaniel, how many times do I have to say it? I’m not avoiding you because I’m afraid of trouble—I just don’t want you driving me. Is that clear enough?"

To her frustration, Nathaniel only smirked, his expression shifting into something darkly amused. "Good. At least you’re not completely indifferent."

He seemed inexplicably pleased, ignoring her icy silence as he closed the distance between them. Before she could react, he plucked the keys from her hand and tossed them to Samuel. "Now, are you getting in?"

Evelyn clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm for the baby’s sake.

Charlotte, ever the mediator, stepped in smoothly. "Evelyn, since Mr. Martin insists, why not let him? It’s not like he has anything better to do. Besides, you are still married. A husband driving his wife home isn’t exactly scandalous." She shot Evelyn a pointed look before tugging her toward the car.

Charlotte slid into the backseat first, then reached for Evelyn’s hand. "Come on."

But before Evelyn could move, Nathaniel pulled her back and shut the door firmly.

His voice was rough, laced with something possessive. "You’re sitting up front with me."

Evelyn scoffed. "I thought you were just our chauffeur?"

Nathaniel’s smirk deepened. "No. I’m your husband—as Charlotte so helpfully pointed out." Without waiting for a response, he opened the passenger door and all but guided her inside.

The drive was tense, the silence thick between them.

When the car finally rolled to a stop outside her apartment building, Charlotte wasted no time slipping out, leaving them alone.

Evelyn reached for the door handle, but Nathaniel hit the lock before she could escape.

She turned to him, exasperated. "What now?"

"My birthday is in two days," he said, his gaze boring into hers. "Did you get me anything?"

"No," she answered flatly.

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. "Really?"

"It’s just another day. I’m sure Thomas has already planned some extravagant party for you."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened. "Evelyn, it’s my birthday. You’re telling me you didn’t even consider getting me a gift?"

She exhaled sharply. "What do you want me to say, Nathaniel? Should I lie and pretend I did? Or would you prefer I make something up on the spot?"

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "You enjoy pissing me off, don’t you?"

"I want to go inside."

Nathaniel ignored her, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. "So, are you going to get me something or not?"