Chapter 117

A few paces ahead of Nathan and Victoria, Julian and Evelyn strolled side by side. Julian towered with striking features while Evelyn carried herself with effortless grace. Together, they looked like something out of a romantic painting.

Nathan's jaw tightened when he noticed the shopping bag in Julian's hand. Had they been shopping together?

Evelyn remained oblivious to Nathan and Victoria's presence, too engrossed in Julian's animated storytelling. Their shared laughter created an intimate bubble around them.

An inexplicable ache spread through Nathan's chest. His eyes burned watching their easy camaraderie.

Julian suddenly felt an icy chill down his spine. Looking up, his eyes widened at the sight of Nathan and Victoria.

"Nathan? What are you doing here?" Julian's voice held genuine surprise.

Only then did Evelyn notice Nathan's frosty expression. Her gaze flickered to Victoria clinging to him, and a sardonic smile curved her lips.

Seeing her chance, Victoria tightened her grip on Nathan like a possessive vine. She shot Evelyn a triumphant look, marking her territory.

Evelyn couldn't care less.

The jealousy that once consumed her was gone. Her heart remained perfectly calm.

Those two deserve each other, she thought bitterly.

"I should be asking you that, Julian." Nathan's voice was dangerously low, his expression stormy.

"Shopping, obviously! You know how I love retail therapy." Julian grinned, completely unaware of the brewing storm.

Evelyn couldn't argue. She'd never met a man more enthusiastic about shopping than Julian. Throughout their walk, his attention kept drifting to store displays. If not for her urgency to leave, he would've dragged her into every boutique.

Nathan misinterpreted Julian's enthusiasm as deliberate provocation.

"I never realized Ms. Carter was so close with Mr. Montgomery that they'd go shopping together."

Victoria pressed weakly against Nathan's chest. "Nathan, let's go. We shouldn't interrupt their date."

Evelyn's eyes turned glacial while Julian looked genuinely confused at the word "date."

To everyone's surprise, Nathan gently pushed Victoria aside and strode toward Evelyn.

"Nathan!" Victoria called after him, but he didn't look back. Her eyes burned with resentment.

Evelyn tilted her chin up to meet Nathan's piercing gaze. Even in heels, he still towered over her, his presence overwhelming.

"What are you doing?" Nathan demanded coldly.

"Just shopping. Is that a crime?" Evelyn's crimson lips curled in mockery. "How fascinating that the great Mr. Blackwood thinks he owns this sidewalk."

"You went shopping with him?" Nathan emphasized the last word sharply.

"Hey, what's wrong with Evelyn shopping with me? I'm not some creep," Julian interjected, clicking his tongue.

Nathan's jaw clenched. "Who knows what you're really like around women?"

"Excuse me?" Julian's eyebrows shot up in outrage.

"Nathan, I'm free to spend time with whoever I choose. It's absurd that you're still trying to control me after our divorce." Evelyn met Nathan's murderous glare without flinching.

Was Nathan actually angry?

Surely not jealous. That would require him to have actual feelings for her.

Impossible. Nathan didn't love her. Jealousy was out of the question.

"Our divorce isn't finalized, yet you're parading around with my best friend. Do you want to cause a scandal between Blackwood Industries and Montgomery Group?" Nathan's chest felt uncomfortably tight, his eyes bloodshot.

Julian raised an eyebrow, barely suppressing a smirk. Clever bastard, using business as an excuse!

Evelyn let out a humorless laugh. "Nathan, aside from your family, who even knows I was your wife?"

Nathan's eyes widened, the truth of her words hitting him like a physical blow.

"Three years of marriage, and you never introduced me to your friends. Never took me to public events. We didn't even have a wedding."

Her smile turned dazzlingly bright, deliberately provocative. "Relax. Even if my face appeared on every billboard in this city, no one would connect me to you. So spare me your concern about 'embarrassing' you or Julian. From now on, let's pretend we're strangers. After all, the best ex is a dead one."

With that, Evelyn swept past Nathan without a backward glance.

Julian hesitated only a moment before abandoning his best friend to follow the woman who'd captured his attention.

Nathan watched Julian's retreating back, his breathing ragged. Veins stood out on his hands, his expression thunderous.

An irrational thought took root - Julian had stolen what was his.

Most friends would have each other's backs. But Julian? He'd stab Nathan in the back for a chance with Evelyn.