Chapter 2

Victoria Sterling was Mrs. Blackwood's niece, so she stayed for a cozy family dinner at Cliffside Manor.

Nathan Blackwood was the only one who seemed displeased. His appetite had vanished the moment Evelyn Carter left with Sebastian Kingsley.

She hadn’t taken a single thing with her—not his $20 million compensation, not even the divorce papers.

"Where’s Evelyn? Why isn’t she joining us for dinner?" Leonard Blackwood, Nathan’s father, asked in surprise.

Nathan lowered his gaze. "We’ve already signed the divorce papers. I’ll finalize it as soon as possible."

Leonard was stunned. "Divorce? Why?!"

"Oh, Leonard, I told you ages ago that Nathan and Evelyn were never a good match," Penelope Whitmore, Nathan’s stepmother, sighed. "Your father forced them into this marriage. That poor girl suffered for three years. Now that she’s letting go, they can both move on. Honestly, it’s for the best. You know Nathan has always loved Victoria."

"Nathan, marriage isn’t a game. Evelyn—"

"Dad, it’s done. She’s already gone," Nathan snapped, frustration tightening his jaw.

Cassandra Blackwood, Nathan’s half-sister, smirked. "Wow, I never thought that country girl had the guts to leave. Is she playing the victim now? Going to tell everyone how badly we treated her?"

Nathan’s temper flared at her words.

"Nathan, you’re being reckless. Your grandfather is still ill. How are you going to explain this to him without upsetting him?" Leonard fretted, worried about his father’s reaction.

"I’ll tell him the truth. And next month, I’ll publicly announce my relationship with Victoria."

Victoria gazed at Nathan’s sharp profile, utterly smitten.

"That’s absurd!" Leonard exclaimed. "Your reputation will be ruined if people find out you abandoned your wife of three years!"

"I never cared about my reputation," Nathan said coldly. "And I never loved Evelyn." There wasn’t a hint of regret in his voice.

"Uncle Leonard, don’t blame Nathan. It’s all my fault," Victoria murmured, resting her head against Nathan’s broad shoulder. "I shouldn’t have come back. I’ll return to Silvercrest tomorrow. Nathan, you should reconcile with Evelyn. I don’t want to be the reason you two split."

"Victoria, none of this is your fault."

Nathan’s grip on her delicate hand tightened, his voice dark. "Evelyn and I are over. You’ve waited for me for three years—I won’t make you suffer another day."

The night breeze was crisp and invigorating.

Sebastian had taken Evelyn out on a yacht along Starlight River to admire the city’s dazzling skyline.

"Seb, are you mocking me?" Evelyn grumbled, eyeing the couples around them. "This is a notorious dating spot! I never come here because of all the PDA."

Sebastian smirked, checking his watch with effortless elegance. "Blame your second brother for that. He said he’d set off fireworks at exactly 8 p.m."

"Five, four, three, two, one—"

Boom!

A spectacular burst of purple and red fireworks exploded across the sky.

The young couples on the deck quickly dispersed toward the riverbank.

"Show-off," Evelyn muttered, shaking her head—but she was touched.

"Considering the bizarre gifts he’s given you over the years, this is a massive improvement," Sebastian teased, pulling her close. "Evelyn, you have so many people who love you. Focus on that instead."

Her nose tingled with emotion.

Just then, a sleek Maybach pulled up by the roadside.

Nathan stepped out with Victoria clinging to his arm. The night air was chilly, and she pressed herself against his chest.

"Wow, those fireworks are gorgeous! Nathan, look!"

Victoria was always so sweet and innocent around him—exactly what he adored. Evelyn, in contrast, had been dull and uninteresting. The only thing she’d ever offered was blind obedience, and to Nathan, that meant nothing.

As they reached the railing, the fireworks formed the words: Happy Birthday!

"Oh, it’s someone’s birthday! Who’s lucky enough to get such a grand gift?" Victoria sighed enviously.

Nathan’s lips thinned.

It was Evelyn’s birthday. Had Sebastian arranged this for her?

Then, a familiar, melodic voice reached his ears.

A yacht glided past, and there, standing on the deck, were Evelyn and Sebastian.

"Huh? Isn’t that Evelyn?" Victoria blinked innocently. "Who’s that man with her? They look… close."

Nathan’s grip on the railing turned white-knuckled.

I knew it. The divorce isn’t even final, and she’s already throwing herself at another man. What was all that crying about earlier?

After circling the bay twice, the yacht docked.

As the crowd thinned, Sebastian guided Evelyn down the steps, his arm around her waist.

"Evelyn Carter!"

Evelyn stiffened at the sound of her name.

She turned slowly to see Nathan striding toward her under the dim streetlights. His striking features still stole her breath—but her thirteen years of foolish devotion were over. He’d shattered her heart completely.

"Who is he?" Nathan’s voice was icy.

"Mr. Blackwood, your memory fails you," Sebastian said smoothly, flashing a charming smile. "We’ve met several times—rivals in the industry, remember?"

"Evelyn, answer me." Nathan ignored Sebastian, stepping closer.

"We’re divorced, Mr. Blackwood. Who this gentleman is has nothing to do with you," Evelyn replied coolly.

Nathan’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe the meek Evelyn would speak to him like this.

"The divorce isn’t finalized, and you’re already with someone else?"

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. This bastard has the audacity to act righteous when he cheated first?

He moved forward, but Evelyn stopped him.

Nathan’s irritation flared—she was defending another man.

"Mr. Blackwood, the divorce isn’t final, but you couldn’t wait to bring your lover home. I didn’t say a word about that, so what right do you have to question who I’m with?"

Her dark hair swayed in the wind, her red lips curling into a mocking smile. She looked breathtakingly bold—nothing like the submissive wife he’d known.

"Don’t you think that’s a double standard?"

Nathan was speechless.

Victoria, who had lost sight of Nathan earlier, finally caught up. Spotting him with Evelyn, she stomped her high heels in frustration—only to twist her ankle and collapse with a dramatic cry.

"Ah! Nathan! My ankle—it hurts so much!"

Nathan snapped out of his daze and rushed to help her up.

When he turned back, Evelyn and Sebastian were gone.