Chapter 249

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn’s office, illuminating the architectural blueprints spread across her desk. Her fingers traced the intricate lines of the design—a new luxury resort project Nathaniel had entrusted to her firm.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Evelyn?" Gregory Wilson, her business partner, leaned against the doorframe, his expression unreadable. "You have a visitor."

Before she could respond, Isabella Davis strode into the room, her designer heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. The air grew thick with tension.

"Long time no see, Evelyn," Isabella said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Evelyn straightened, her grip tightening on her pen. "What do you want, Isabella?"

Isabella smirked, tossing her glossy hair over one shoulder. "Just thought I’d drop by and congratulate you. Landing the Martin Group’s resort project—quite the achievement."

Evelyn’s jaw clenched. She knew this wasn’t a social call. "If you’re here to stir trouble, save it. I don’t have time for games."

Isabella’s smile faltered, replaced by a cold glint in her eyes. "Oh, but this isn’t a game. It’s a warning." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Nathaniel might be yours now, but things change. And when they do, I’ll be right there to pick up the pieces."

Evelyn’s pulse quickened, but she refused to back down. "Is that a threat?"

Isabella laughed lightly. "Call it whatever you want." She turned on her heel, pausing at the door. "By the way, I heard about your little… mishap at the gala last week. Such a shame. Almost like someone wanted to embarrass you."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Evelyn frozen in place.

Gregory exhaled sharply. "What was that about?"

Evelyn’s mind raced. The gala incident—her dress tearing unexpectedly—had seemed like an accident. But now…

"Nothing," she lied, forcing a calm she didn’t feel. "Just Isabella being Isabella."

But as she turned back to her blueprints, her hands trembled.

Something wasn’t right.

And she had a sinking feeling this was only the beginning.

The quiet hum of the laptop filled the room as Nathaniel worked, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Evelyn had been silent for hours, her presence a soft shadow beside him.

By eleven, exhaustion finally pulled her under. She drifted off to sleep, the faint glow of the TV casting flickering light across her face.

When Nathaniel finished his work, he washed up quickly before returning to the bed. His gaze lingered on Evelyn, her breathing slow and steady. For a moment, he hesitated—then, with careful precision, he lifted the covers and slid in beside her, drawing her gently into his arms.

It had been too long since he’d held her like this. Every touch, every embrace lately had been met with resistance, a wall between them he couldn’t seem to breach.

But now, in the quiet of the night, he let himself savor the warmth of her against him. His hand drifted to her stomach, resting lightly over the life growing inside her.

He hadn’t noticed before. Hadn’t let himself think about it.

A faint, rueful smile touched his lips as he tightened his hold, pressing a kiss to her hair before sleep finally took him too.

Morning came with a soft knock at the door. Nathaniel stirred, blinking awake before glancing down at Evelyn, still asleep in his arms. Reluctantly, he slipped out of bed and opened the door.

Thomas and Charlotte stood there, eyebrows lifting at his disheveled appearance.

"You stayed here all night?" Thomas asked.

"Don’t wake her," Nathaniel said, voice low.

Charlotte peered past him. "Is Evelyn still asleep?"

"Yes."

"You should wake her," Charlotte murmured. "Too much sleep will just give her a headache."

Nathaniel didn’t budge.

The air between them grew thick, tense.

Neither Thomas nor Charlotte moved to leave.

A silent standoff stretched between them—until Evelyn’s voice drifted from the bed.

"Charlotte?"

Charlotte brightened instantly. "It’s me."

"Come in."

"I just got here," Charlotte said smoothly. "Thought you were still asleep."

Nathaniel stepped aside, jaw tight, as Charlotte slipped past him.

The moment she entered, the tension in the room eased.

Evelyn watched as Thomas followed Charlotte inside, questions flickering in her eyes—but she didn’t voice them.

Nathaniel left to freshen up when Samuel arrived with breakfast. "Eat first," he told Evelyn. "The doctor will check on you before discharge."

She nodded, picking at her food.

As Nathaniel and Thomas stepped out onto the balcony, Evelyn turned to Charlotte.

"Why did you come with him?"

Charlotte smirked. "Would you believe me if I said he spent the whole night outside your apartment?"

"You didn’t let him in?"

"Of course not."

"Good," Evelyn said, taking a slow bite.

Charlotte studied her, eyes bright with amusement. "Nathaniel knows about the baby now. And he was genuinely worried when you fainted. It didn’t seem like an act. Are you still set on ending things?"

Evelyn met her gaze, chewing thoughtfully before answering.

"Do you really think a child can fix a marriage with no love?"