Chapter 69

The morning light filtered through the silk curtains, casting delicate patterns across our bedroom. I stirred awake to find Nathaniel's side of the bed already empty, the sheets cool to the touch. A faint trace of his cologne lingered in the air - sandalwood and something distinctly him.

"Alfred?" I called out, slipping into my robe.

The elderly butler appeared instantly, as if he'd been waiting just beyond the door. "Good morning, Mrs. Martin. Mr. Martin left early for an urgent board meeting. He asked me to inform you that he'll be home by dinner."

I nodded absently, my fingers tracing the edge of the marble vanity. The pregnancy test I'd taken yesterday still burned in my mind - those two pink lines that changed everything. I'd planned to tell him last night, but he'd come home so late, his tie loosened and eyes shadowed with exhaustion.

The phone vibrated on the nightstand. Isabella's name flashed across the screen, followed by a string of emojis - champagne glasses, a diamond ring. My stomach twisted. She'd been texting more frequently since the news broke about her engagement to that Italian count.

The kitchen smelled of freshly baked croissants and Rosalind's special blend of coffee. Gabrielle, my assistant, sat at the island, her tablet already open to my schedule. "Morning, Evelyn. The contractors for the waterfront project are waiting for your final approval on the blueprints. And Mr. Wilson called three times - something about the zoning permits?"

I sipped my orange juice, the acidity making me wince. "Tell Gregory I'll handle it. And push the contractor meeting to tomorrow. I need to..." My hand drifted unconsciously to my still-flat stomach.

Gabrielle's sharp eyes caught the gesture. A knowing smile played on her lips, but she tactfully said nothing.

The doorbell chimed. Alfred moved to answer it, but I waved him off. Through the frosted glass, I recognized Caroline's silhouette, her arms laden with shopping bags.

"Surprise!" she sang out, kissing my cheek. "I brought baby clothes. You know, just in case." She winked, then froze when she saw my face. "Oh my God. You're pregnant, aren't you?"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Eight weeks. I haven't told Nathaniel yet."

Caroline squealed, dropping the bags to pull me into a hug. "This is perfect! Edward Martin will finally get his great-grandchild. The board will have to stop pressuring Nathaniel about the succession now."

I forced a smile, thinking of the tension that had been growing between Nathaniel and his grandfather. The old man's health was failing, and the family empire needed clear leadership. A baby would solve everything - at least on paper.

My phone buzzed again. This time it was Nathaniel. "Evelyn, we need to talk. I'll be home in an hour."

The seriousness in his voice sent a chill down my spine. Caroline squeezed my hand. "Whatever it is, you'll handle it. You always do."

But as I watched her leave, the unopened baby clothes still scattered across the foyer, I couldn't shake the feeling that this time might be different. That the carefully constructed world we'd built might be about to crumble.

And when the front door opened again an hour later, Nathaniel's stormy expression confirmed my fears. Behind him stood Isabella, her perfect lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Darling," she purred, "we have so much to discuss."

Dominic's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "So you're finally dropping the ice queen act? Good. Since you're willing to play along, let's not waste time. But hurry—I took something, and I'm not patient."

Evelyn finally understood—he was under the influence.

"I'll cooperate, but don't hurt me."

Her voice was calm, laced with negotiation.

Dominic smirked and released her. As he turned to grab water, Evelyn lunged for the door—only for him to snatch her wrist just as her fingers brushed the knob.

"Lying bitch!"

He raised his hand to strike, but Evelyn caught his wrist mid-air. With a sharp twist, she bent his fingers back at a brutal angle.

Dominic howled in pain.

"You'll speak properly now," Evelyn warned, her voice icy. Then, stepping closer, she lowered her voice to a dangerous whisper. "Dominic, tell me—did Isabella send you after me?"

Sweating, Dominic nodded frantically. "Yes! It was her—Ms. Davis! Please, let go—"

Evelyn's expression darkened, her gaze glacial. Dominic shuddered—her beauty was lethal, her presence terrifying. Before he could react, a sharp pain exploded between his legs.

His vision whited out.

Then, before he could scream, Evelyn pulled a slender object from her pocket—a needle—and plunged it into his thigh. In seconds, Dominic crumpled to the floor.

Conscious but paralyzed, he stared up at her.

Evelyn smirked. "Now, let’s have some real fun."

Pineview Villa

Nathaniel had just returned when Isabella rushed to him, her face etched with false concern. "Nathaniel, something terrible happened."

His brow furrowed. "What?"

She bit her lip, hesitating. "It's about Evelyn. I heard it from Audrey—you know, my friend in the industry."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "What about Evelyn?"

"Don't be angry," Isabella murmured, eyes downcast. "But rumors are spreading. Evelyn’s been seen with Dominic Lynch—dinners, late nights. Tonight, they went to a hotel together..."

Nathaniel's expression turned to stone.

"You're lying."

"I'm just repeating what I heard," she said quickly. "Maybe you should ask her?"

Nathaniel didn’t call. Instead, he strode upstairs, lit a cigarette, and exhaled sharply. His phone was already in his hand.

No answer from Evelyn.

His next call was to Samuel. "Find Evelyn. Now."

Samuel’s voice was tense. "Right away, sir."

Within minutes, the report came. "Mrs. Martin entered a budget hotel at six. She hasn’t left."

Nathaniel’s grip on his phone turned deadly.

A car engine roared outside. Through the window, he watched Evelyn step out, composed as ever.

Alfred greeted her in the foyer. "Dinner’s ready. Mr. Martin is upstairs."

"I’ll get him," Evelyn said.

But Isabella intercepted her, voice dripping with faux sweetness. "Evelyn, where have you been?"

Evelyn studied Isabella’s face—pretty, poised, poisonous.

She ignored her.

Isabella pressed on. "Nathaniel knows what you’ve been doing. How shameful."

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. "And what exactly have I done, Isabella? Enlighten me."

Isabella’s gaze flicked to the stairs—Nathaniel was descending, his expression unreadable.

"Don’t be mad," she simpered. "Evelyn probably just met a friend."

Nathaniel didn’t look at Evelyn. "Dinner."

Isabella shot Evelyn a triumphant glare before following him.

The meal was silent. Nathaniel’s cold detachment was a wall. Isabella, restless, suddenly gasped at her phone.

"Evelyn! How could you?"

Evelyn didn’t flinch.

Isabella shoved the phone at Nathaniel. On the screen:

[Evelyn slept with Dominic. Disgusting. He’s bragging about it everywhere.]

Nathaniel slid the phone toward Evelyn. "Explain."

Evelyn met his gaze. "Do you believe me?"

The air thickened.

Before Nathaniel could speak, Isabella cut in. "Admit it, Evelyn! You and Dominic—"

Evelyn’s smile was razor-thin. "You seem very informed, Isabella. What’s your game?"

Isabella recoiled. "How dare you accuse me!"

Evelyn dialed a number. A hoarse voice answered. "Dominic here."

Isabella paled.

Evelyn’s gaze never left her. "Dominic, who told you to target me?"

"It was Isabella! She said you’d be easy—"

"Lies!" Isabella shrieked. "Nathaniel, he’s lying! Someone put him up to this!"

Nathaniel remained silent, his eyes dark storms.

Evelyn hung up. "The truth is right here, Nathaniel. Do you still think she’s innocent?"