Chapter 164

Nathan's brows knitted together in frustration.

He had spent countless sleepless nights preparing himself to apologize to Evelyn. The weight of his guilt had kept him awake for seven straight days.

Originally, he planned to wait until his grandfather Reginald's birthday to speak with her in person. But seeing Julian at her residence tonight had shattered his patience. He needed to see her immediately.

This unfamiliar urgency confused him. Never in his life had he experienced such uncontrollable impulses.

Normally, his emotions were perfectly restrained. Yet lately, he'd realized Evelyn somehow held the key to his emotional control.

"Victoria should be the one apologizing to me personally. What right do you have to apologize on her behalf?" Evelyn's voice cut through the night air like ice. "Are you trying to flaunt your devotion to her?"

Her gaze was glacial. "If she commits murder, will you serve her prison sentence too?"

"Evelyn, I'm here to sincerely apologize!" Nathan's voice rose, his eyes burning red. "I think you're deliberately provoking me."

Evelyn laughed bitterly, her clear eyes glinting coldly under the moonlight. "Nathan, if you can't comprehend my words, don't bother apologizing. Your apologies mean nothing to me."

"Evelyn, why must you be so difficult?" Nathan's tone turned harsh.

"You're the one forcing this confrontation. I never asked for your presence here tonight." She struggled against his grip, her wrist aching. "Let go! I'm going inside."

"What more do you want from me? I've humbled myself to this extent—how much further must I debase myself to satisfy you?" Losing control, Nathan seized her shoulders and shook her violently.

"Nathan, I never wanted your humility."

Her heart whispered what she couldn't voice aloud: All I ever wanted was your love. But knowing that was impossible, I accepted reality and let go. Why must you keep reopening these wounds? Do you truly think so little of me?

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as her eyes reddened.

Those mesmerizing eyes burned with intensity, scorching Nathan's trembling heart.

"I want you gone from my life completely. Just leave. Goodbye."

When Evelyn pushed him away, Nathan grabbed her wrist again. "Gone? Impossible! We were married for three years. That divorce will forever be part of your records. You can't erase our past!"

"I can if I choose to." Her contemptuous gaze reduced him to insignificance. "You may see us as divorced, but I consider myself widowed."

Nathan staggered as if struck. A deafening buzz filled his ears, his head throbbing with pain.

Gasping for air, his hands shook violently as he hissed, "Evelyn, unless I release you, my name will always be tied to yours! If I refuse to finalize our divorce, you'll never be free to start anew!"

SMACK!

Evelyn's palm connected sharply with his cheek—the second time she'd struck him, yet the emotions behind this slap were entirely different.

Her heart ached as if pierced by his cruel words. "Nathan, had I known how despicable you could be, I would never have married you!"

She fled the car, slamming the door behind her without bothering with an umbrella as she raced through the rain toward Cliffside Manor.

Nathan stood stunned, his face turned from the impact.

After a long moment, his tall frame bent forward, hands clutching his throbbing head in utter wretchedness.

Upon returning home, Evelyn avoided Theodore and rushed to her room.

Reaching the upstairs hallway, she collapsed against the wall, left hand bracing herself while her right clutched her robe. She gasped for air as if surfacing from drowning, desperately fighting back tears.

"Evelyn?"

Julian's concerned voice came from behind. She clenched her jaw, swallowing her sobs.

"I'm exhausted and need rest. I won't see you out. Thank you for the gift."

"Evelyn, what's wrong?" Julian's voice trembled.

"I'm fine. Goodnight."

"Evelyn!"

In three long strides, Julian caught up, gripping her slender shoulders to turn her toward him.

The sudden motion left her dizzy. Her tear-filled eyes shone with irritation, making her even more breathtaking.

"You've been crying?" Julian stared in shock.

"No," Evelyn replied coldly, though her reddened eyes betrayed her.

"Did Nathan upset you? That stubborn fool isn't worth your tears, Evelyn. He never deserved you."