Chapter 63

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the marble floors as Evelyn paced the length of their penthouse. Her fingers trembled slightly as she clutched the latest architectural blueprints. The weight of Nathaniel's deception still pressed heavily against her ribs, making each breath feel like swallowing shards of glass.

"Madam?" Alfred appeared in the doorway, his polished shoes silent against the hardwood. "Mr. Martin has just pulled into the driveway."

Evelyn's throat tightened. She hadn't seen Nathaniel since their explosive argument three days prior, when Isabella's pregnancy announcement had shattered their fragile reconciliation. The memory of his stunned expression - those storm-gray eyes widening in genuine shock - still haunted her. Was it possible he hadn't known?

The elevator pinged. Evelyn straightened her spine as Nathaniel stepped into the foyer, his tailored suit rumpled from what appeared to be consecutive all-nighters. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and the usual crisp citrus scent of his cologne had been replaced by something sharper - whiskey and regret.

"You're home." Her voice came out colder than intended.

Nathaniel's gaze flickered to the packed suitcase by the staircase. "Going somewhere?"

"To my mother's. I need space to think." Evelyn watched his jaw tighten. "Unless you have something to say about Isabella's little revelation?"

His hands clenched at his sides. "I swear to you, Evelyn, I had no idea about the pregnancy until that moment. The last time Isabella and I—"

"Save it." She held up a hand, the diamond of her wedding band catching the light. "Your secretary just forwarded your calendar. You have a meeting with her tomorrow at the Regent Hotel. Care to explain?"

Nathaniel's phone buzzed. The screen lit up with a text preview: "We need to talk about our baby. Meet me at—"

Evelyn's vision blurred. Without thinking, she hurled her tablet across the room. It shattered against the abstract painting Isabella had gifted them last Christmas. "Get out."

"Let me explain—"

"Now!" Her scream echoed through the vaulted ceilings. Somewhere downstairs, a door slammed.

Nathaniel reached for her, but Evelyn twisted away. The movement sent her stumbling into the console table, where a framed wedding photo teetered and fell. Glass exploded across the floor like their fractured marriage.

Three sharp knocks interrupted them. Samuel Yates stood in the doorway, his usually composed face ashen. "Sir, urgent call from Dr. Harrison. Your grandfather's collapsed at the corporate office."

The blood drained from Nathaniel's face. "Is he—"

"They're resuscitating him now. The car's waiting."

For one suspended moment, Nathaniel's gaze locked with Evelyn's. In his eyes, she saw the same terrified boy who'd clung to her during his grandfather's first heart attack years ago. The boy she'd fallen in love with beneath the maple trees at Princeton.

Then the mask slid back into place. "We'll finish this later," he said quietly, following Samuel out the door.

Evelyn sank onto the staircase, her fingers brushing the broken glass. Outside, thunder rumbled despite the clear sky - a perfect metaphor for the storm brewing in her chest. Somewhere between the lies and the betrayals, she'd lost sight of where Nathaniel ended and the deception began.

Her phone buzzed with an unknown number. The attached photo showed Isabella's perfectly manicured hand resting on a barely-there baby bump, a diamond bracelet glinting at her wrist - the same design Nathaniel had gifted Evelyn on their first anniversary.

The accompanying message froze her blood: "He'll always come back to me. Just wait until he sees the paternity results."

Her porcelain face was icy, devoid of color. Evelyn didn’t bother responding to Isabella. She strode straight toward her, lifted her hand, and delivered a sharp slap across Isabella’s cheek.

The crack of skin against skin reverberated through the air.

The force was brutal—a vivid red mark bloomed instantly on Isabella’s flawless skin.

Isabella’s eyes widened in shock. She pressed a trembling hand to her stinging cheek. "What the hell, Evelyn? What did I do to you?"

"You know exactly what you did. Cut the act, Isabella." Evelyn’s voice was a blade, cold and precise. "Consider this a warning. If you value your precious reputation, stay the hell away from me. Don’t test me again."

Her gaze was a silent threat, sharp enough to draw blood.

Isabella’s lips quivered. "I have no idea what you’re talking about! You just assaulted me. Do you realize what Nathaniel will do when he finds out?" Her fingers curled protectively over the throbbing mark, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Vanessa, Isabella’s manager, rushed forward, shielding her from Evelyn’s wrath. "Ms. Mitchell, this is unacceptable! We can discuss whatever issue you have like civilized people." She raised her voice deliberately, drawing the attention of nearby onlookers.

Evelyn’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "Oh, by all means, shout louder. Let’s tell everyone how the beloved Isabella Davis tried to wreck my marriage with Nathaniel. Would you like that?"

Vanessa’s face paled, her mouth snapping shut.

Isabella’s composure shattered. "Nathaniel doesn’t love you! If you had any dignity, you’d have divorced him by now!"

Evelyn tilted her head, feigning indifference. "I don’t care. As long as we’re married, you’ll never be more than his dirty little secret. And if I get pregnant?" She leaned in, her whisper venomous. "You’ll never have him."

Isabella’s breath hitched. "You wouldn’t dare! You’re insane!"

Vanessa gripped Isabella’s arm, a silent plea for restraint, but Isabella’s fury was uncontrollable.

Evelyn smirked. "Insane? Maybe. But at least I’m the one sharing his bed every night. What does that make you?"

Without another word, Evelyn turned on her heel and walked away.

She’d accomplished what she came for. If anything had happened to the baby, she wouldn’t have stopped at a slap.

Isabella would pay.

Watching Evelyn’s retreating figure, Isabella trembled with rage. Vanessa murmured urgently, "Isabella, ignore her. We need to salvage your image. The rest can wait."

Isabella exhaled sharply, tugging her hair forward to conceal the mark. "Cancel the investor meeting. I’m going to Martin Group."

Vanessa nodded. No deal was worth more than Nathaniel’s influence.

Nathaniel’s office door swung open without warning. Isabella stumbled in, tears streaming down her face. "Nathaniel..."

His brow furrowed. "What happened?"

She brushed her hair aside, revealing the livid bruise. "It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you come to my meeting. Evelyn misunderstood. She stormed into my studio, said horrible things..." Her voice broke. "She told me she’s going to have your child. So what am I, Nathaniel? Just tell me, and I’ll leave. I won’t interfere."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened. "Evelyn hit you?"

Isabella didn’t deny it. "If this gets out, my career is over. She could’ve just talked to me. But she humiliated me instead."

His jaw tightened. "I’ll handle it."

She clutched his sleeve. "I don’t want to cause trouble. But if you want me gone, just say it."

Nathaniel grabbed his phone and dialed Evelyn.

She answered, voice calm. "Yes?"

"Where are you?"

"Home. Why?"

"Stay there." He hung up without another word.

Pineview Villa loomed ahead as Nathaniel’s car pulled up, Isabella in tow.

Evelyn was waiting, her posture rigid, face unreadable.

Nathaniel didn’t waste time. "Did you do this?" He gestured to Isabella’s cheek.

Evelyn met his gaze without flinching. "Yes."

"Why? Because I attended her meeting?"

"This isn’t about you." Her tone was glacial. "Ask her what she did."

Isabella’s tears fell harder. "I didn’t do anything! Vanessa was there—she saw everything!"

Evelyn scoffed. "You think I’d waste my time slapping you for no reason?"

Nathaniel’s voice dropped dangerously. "Apologize. Now."

Evelyn’s laugh was hollow. "For what? She deserved it."

"You hit her. You apologize."

Evelyn’s fingers curled into fists. She could tell him the truth—about the parking lot, the threats—but what was the point? He’d always choose Isabella.

"Never."

Nathaniel grabbed her wrist, his grip bruising. "Evelyn—"

She winced, pain flaring where yesterday’s assailant had wrenched her arm. "Go ahead," she whispered. "Slap me back. Would that make you happy?"

His grip loosened slightly, but his eyes remained stormy.

Evelyn yanked free. "I won’t apologize. Not to her. Not to you."

She turned toward the stairs, but Nathaniel’s voice stopped her.

"You’ve changed."

She paused, her back to him. "No. You just never saw me."

Then she walked away, leaving the tension thick enough to choke on.