Chapter 140

The lyrics that perfectly captured this moment whispered through my mind: Love is a winter gale. When it slips through your fingers,

when you watch it fade, the ache remains.

Nathan stood motionless in the freezing wind. The cold meant nothing to him - he'd endured far worse during his military days, standing guard for twenty-four hour shifts without complaint.

But his heart betrayed his calm exterior.

What if Evelyn changed her mind? What if she refused to come out? The thought clawed at him. Could he force his way into the Kingsley estate? Unthinkable.

What possible excuse did he have to knock on those imposing gates?

None came to mind.

His long lashes trembled as he exhaled sharply, pulling a cigarette from his coat pocket. The flame flickered as he brought it to his lips.

The sharp click of stilettos on pavement made his pulse spike.

"Nathan."

He looked up to see his ex-wife's icy expression. The cigarette between his fingers shook, ashes scattering.

Evelyn's gaze dropped to the ground littered with cigarette butts. Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "I thought you quit."

"I was waiting." His voice sounded rough even to his own ears.

He crushed the cigarette underfoot, meeting her gaze directly.

Evelyn's laugh held no warmth. "Planning to threaten me again? Go ahead. You always enjoyed pushing people around without cause."

"Nathan." His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. The smoke had left his throat raw. "I came to see you. You got what you wanted. Now honor your word, Mr. Blackwood. Leave my brother alone. I'm going back inside. And clean up this mess - Fairhaven doesn't need your pollution."

She turned on her heel, every line of her body radiating dismissal.

Oliver shivered. This cold, formidable woman bore no resemblance to the warm, smiling wife he remembered - the one who used to light up whenever Mr. Blackwood entered the room.

What had his employer done to turn such devotion into such bitterness?

"Evelyn, wait!"

Nathan's command stopped her mid-step. She turned slowly, eyes flashing. "I don't take orders from you anymore. Or have you forgotten our divorce?"

That word struck like a physical blow. Nathan felt the air leave his lungs.

"You couldn't wait to discard me," she continued, voice dripping with scorn. "To make room for your precious Victoria. I gave you what you wanted, yet you still harass me. What more could you possibly demand?"

The accusation hung between them. Nathan's chest constricted.

"I told you from the beginning this was a contractual arrangement," he ground out. "I never promised you forever. The compensation was more than generous - you chose to walk away empty-handed. Don't rewrite history to paint yourself as some martyr, Evelyn. I never mistreated you. We're square. You have no right to keep punishing me!"

His voice broke on the last word. The truth tasted like ashes in his mouth.