Chapter 154
Nathan froze the moment the words left his lips.
He had no proof, yet his mind immediately jumped to Evelyn.
A twisted part of him wished she had orchestrated this - it would mean she still cared.
"You're delusional, Nathan."
Evelyn's chest tightened painfully, but she forced a bitter smile. "Honestly? Revenge never crossed my mind. Marry Victoria, marry four women like Harrison Kingsley did - I couldn't care less." Her voice turned icy. "Hating you would be a waste of my precious energy."
Nathan felt like he'd been gut-punched. "Evelyn—"
"Rosalind Couture has bookings through next year. She treats every client equally - even the Prime Minister's wife waits in line." Evelyn's lips curled in mockery. "Maybe she wanted to vent for me, but I don't need friends fighting my battles. If I wanted to slap Victoria, I'd do it myself. No need for roundabout schemes." She gave a hollow laugh. "You never understood me."
Her eyes were terrifyingly empty - like extinguished stars.
Nathan's heart twisted painfully.
"Evelyn!"
Sebastian's voice shattered the tension.
Evelyn seized the chance to shake off Nathan's grip, practically sprinting toward her brother.
Sebastian enveloped her in a protective embrace. "Sorry I'm late, little star. Work held me up."
"It's fine." Evelyn's voice trembled slightly, eyes stinging.
"Did he upset you?" Sebastian shot a lethal glare at Nathan, who stood frozen like a statue.
Evelyn shook her head. "Let's go home."
As they walked away, Nathan finally snapped out of his daze, chasing after them.
Outside, Theodore waited by the Rolls-Royce.
"Ugh, these heels are murder." Evelyn pouted at Sebastian. "Nothing beats sneakers."
"Theodore, the shoes."
The secretary immediately produced pristine white sneakers, placing them beside Evelyn's aching feet.
Nathan arrived just in time to witness Sebastian kneel, carefully removing her heels and sliding on the sneakers, tying the laces with meticulous care.
The CEO of Monarch Group - a man who commanded boardrooms with a glance - was kneeling to tend to his sister like she was made of glass.
Evelyn reached into Theodore's pocket, retrieving a chocolate with a playful grin, her face lighting up as she took a bite.
"Home."
The luxury car purred to life, carrying them away.
Nathan felt like his chest had been carved out.
His ex-wife - who'd lived like a ghost during their marriage - was now treated like royalty by one of the most powerful men in the country.
Sebastian Kingsley, who bowed to no one, willingly bent the knee for love. The devotion in his eyes was blinding.
True love isn't about making your lover bend to put on your shoes.
Nathan didn't understand why seeing Evelyn cherished by another man made him feel like he was drowning.
That evening, Victoria followed Nathan back to Cliffside Manor under the pretense of visiting Penelope and Leonard.
"Nathan, where did you disappear to earlier?" Victoria clung to his arm in the backseat. "I was terrified being left alone."
"Victoria." Nathan extracted his arm, voice frosty. "Don't provoke Evelyn again. Especially when she's shown you no hostility."
"You think I'm bullying her?" Victoria's eyes welled up instantly. "Is that what you believe?"
"Didn't you?"