Chapter 205

The moment Evelyn stepped into the grand hall of the Martin estate, her breath caught in her throat. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the marble floors, and the air hummed with the murmurs of high society. She adjusted the emerald silk of her gown, her fingers trembling slightly.

Nathaniel stood at the center of the room, his broad shoulders accentuated by the tailored black tuxedo. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a heartbeat, the world around them faded.

"Evelyn," he murmured, closing the distance between them. His hand brushed against hers, sending a jolt of warmth through her veins.

She forced a smile, though her pulse raced. "Nathaniel. You look... stunning."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Coming from you, that means everything."

Before she could respond, a familiar voice sliced through the tension.

"Isabella," Nathaniel said, his tone shifting.

Evelyn turned to see Isabella Davis gliding toward them, her crimson dress clinging to her curves like liquid fire. Her lips curled into a practiced smile, but her eyes—sharp as daggers—never left Evelyn.

"Darling," Isabella purred, looping her arm through Nathaniel's. "I was just telling Edward how much I missed these gatherings."

Evelyn's nails dug into her palms. She knew this game. Isabella had always been a master at playing the crowd, at making her presence impossible to ignore.

Nathaniel stiffened, his gaze flickering between the two women. "Isabella, you remember Evelyn."

"Of course," Isabella said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "The architect. How... quaint."

Evelyn's smile didn't waver. "And you, Isabella. Still clinging to the past, I see."

The air between them crackled.

Just then, Gregory Wilson appeared at Evelyn's side, his expression tight. "Evelyn, we need to discuss the blueprints. Now."

She exhaled sharply, grateful for the escape. "Excuse me."

As she walked away, she could feel Nathaniel's eyes burning into her back.

And Isabella's laughter, cold and triumphant, followed her out.

The night was far from over.

Evelyn remained by Edward's side for what felt like hours, only leaving once his breathing steadied into sleep.

Stepping into the hallway, her gaze immediately landed on Nathaniel. He sat rigidly on the bench, his jaw clenched so tightly the sharp angles of his face stood out starkly. His suit jacket was missing, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to reveal a darkening bruise where Edward had struck him.

Their eyes met—his cold, detached, like winter frost.

A bitter smirk twisted his lips. "Evelyn, I thought you were unstoppable. So determined to divorce me, no matter the cost. And yet here you are."

"Is this really necessary?" Her voice was sharp, laced with ice. "Just because I want out, you have to burn everything down?"

Nathaniel's gaze darkened, his expression unreadable. "You think this is about destruction?"

"Isn't it?"

"Do you honestly believe I'd go to these lengths just for you?" His laugh was low, mocking, devoid of warmth.

Evelyn held his stare, unflinching. His next words cut deeper. "If we're ending this, it ends completely. No loose threads. No lingering connections. I'm just making sure of that. Isn't that what you wanted?"

His eyes flickered over her, cold and dismissive, as if she were nothing more than an inconvenience.

The message was clear—she wasn't worth the effort.

Her fingers curled into fists. "If you never wanted to see me again, you could have just said so. I would have walked away. But why drag innocent people into this?"

Nathaniel scoffed, pushing to his feet. He closed the distance between them, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Evelyn, who do you think you are? Since when do I take orders from you?"

"I'm not giving orders. I'm asking you to be reasonable. Our problems shouldn't destroy other lives."

"You were the one who said we should never cross paths again after the divorce." His tone was razor-sharp. "Or did you forget?"

She had said those words. And now he was throwing them back at her.

The man before her felt like a stranger—someone she had never truly known.

Nathaniel's gaze swept over her one last time, his voice chillingly calm. "The game started the moment you refused my offer. Did you really think I'd let you walk all over me forever?"

Evelyn's lips pressed into a thin line. Her voice trembled, but her eyes burned with defiance. "Nathaniel... you're... you're out of your mind."

Each word was deliberate, heavy with the weight of her shattered trust.

He only smiled, as if her pain meant nothing.

Neither of them would back down.

Evelyn had her pride. She wouldn't beg.

And with that, there was nothing left to say.