Chapter 138

Evelyn's heart clenched painfully, her delicate brows furrowing. Of course I miss Mother. I think about her every day, but—

"Mother is gone, Maxwell. As her children, we must learn to face reality with maturity." Her voice trembled slightly. "We're Kingsleys too. We must protect our family and move forward."

"You can move on. I can't." Maxwell's jaw tightened. "I'm the reckless one who drowns in memories, unable to wake up. You'll always be my family, but this place... it's not home anymore."

A heavy silence settled between them.

"Fine." Maxwell sighed, noticing the unshed tears in Evelyn's eyes. He pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Don't be upset, Evie. I'll respect your choice, no matter what."

He softened his tone, eager to distract her. "Let's talk about something else. Guess who's here? Nathan Blackwood."

"What?!" Evelyn shot to her feet, her pulse skyrocketing.

The entire dining room froze.

Harrison Kingsley frowned from the head of the table. "Evelyn, what's gotten into you? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"She hasn't." Maxwell smirked, tugging her back into her seat. "Just told her a scary story. Didn't expect such a dramatic reaction."

"This isn't funny!" Evelyn hissed through gritted teeth. "That's worse than any ghost story!"

"Don't believe me? Go check the gates. Pretty sure he's still lurking there." Maxwell shrugged. "Relax, though. That bastard probably doesn't know your real identity yet. Must've tailed Sebastian's car here."

As if on cue, Evelyn's phone buzzed on the table.

Her breath hitched as she slowly flipped it over, dreading the caller ID.

The familiar number burned into her vision. She rejected the call instantly.

It rang again immediately.

Knowing Nathan's persistence, Evelyn excused herself to a quiet corner.

"Yes?" she whispered coldly.

"Is your injury healed?" Nathan's voice was rough yet velvety, like the sea breeze of Fairhaven brushing against her skin.

Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Yes."

"I'm outside the Kingsley estate. Come out." His command was as icy as ever.

Evelyn's temper flared. Nathan only reserved warmth for Victoria Sterling—with her, it was always demands. She owed him nothing now.

"Mr. Kingsley invited me for a family dinner. Everyone's here. I can't leave." Her tone turned arctic.

Nathan swayed slightly in the freezing wind, his ears ringing. A family dinner with the Kingsleys?

Laughter and clinking silverware echoed through the phone. A woman's gentle voice called, "Evelyn, dessert's ready! Come try the soufflé."

"I'll be right there," Evelyn responded sweetly.

Nathan's grip on his phone turned white-knuckled. The warmth and acceptance she had here—it was something he'd never experienced.

And because he'd never had it, he refused to let her keep it.

"Mr. Blackwood, I can't talk now. We'll discuss this when I return to Crestview. Goodbye."

"Evelyn!" His voice cracked with desperation.

Her breath quickened. That commanding tone made her skin crawl—she could almost feel his cold fingers wrapping around her wrist again.

"Come out now, or I'm coming in to get you. Your choice."

Nathan's vision blurred with fury. His body was numb, but his blood burned.

At this moment, nothing mattered except dragging her back where she belonged.