Chapter 220

Nathan's arm slid around Evelyn's waist as he carefully buckled her seatbelt.

She recoiled instantly, wiping her hand on her dress as if contaminated. "Where exactly are you taking me?"

"Last night's agreement," he reminded her, fingers tightening on the steering wheel. "You were supposed to collect your belongings from Cliffside Manor today."

"I said I'd go! You didn't need to kidnap me!"

His lips curled into a humorless smile. "Forgive me if I don't trust your word." The engine roared to life. "How many lies did you tell during our three-year marriage, Evelyn? Was there ever a single moment of honesty between us?"

"Was there?" she countered icily.

"Think whatever you want." She turned toward the window. "None of it matters now."

The words struck Nathan like a bullet to the chest.

Sometimes he wished she'd never loved him at all. At least then the guilt wouldn't claw at him every time he saw that wounded look in her eyes.

The Ferrari accelerated onto the highway, city lights blurring into streaks of color.

Realizing escape was impossible, Evelyn reclined her seat and closed her eyes. If she couldn't flee physically, she'd retreat mentally.

"Sorry about that," Nathan muttered suddenly.

Her eyes flew open. "About what?"

She'd noticed his bizarre behavior since the divorce. The man who'd once been as stubborn as a mule now apologized constantly. Had Victoria signed him up for some kind of sensitivity training?

"Not realizing Sebastian was your brother."

Evelyn waved a dismissive hand. "Ancient history."

"But why didn't you explain?" His gaze traced her profile. "That night at the gala—"

"Would you have believed me?" She laughed bitterly. "The world always assumes the worst of women. If I weren't a Kingsley, if I were still just poor Evelyn Carter, you and everyone else would've branded me a gold-digging whore." She met his eyes. "I stopped caring what strangers think of me years ago."

Nathan's knuckles whitened against the leather wheel.

Did that include him now? Was he just another stranger to her?

The thought left him hollow.

After miles of tense silence, he ventured, "So Sebastian's the eldest, Dominic's second, and Maxwell took your mother's surname? Why is that?"

"Nathan."

Evelyn's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. Her entire body had gone rigid. "You're crossing a line."

"I didn't—"

"Don't," she cut him off. "The only reason I'm tolerating this is because Kingsleys are raised to take the high road. But if you keep digging into my family..." Her nails dug into her thighs. "I don't care who you are. There won't be enough left of you to bury."

Nathan's jaw clenched.

"I didn't investigate," he ground out. "Maxwell looked familiar after our... altercation. I checked my military academy yearbook and recognized him. We trained together."

Evelyn turned back to the window, effectively ending the conversation.

With a frustrated sigh, Nathan hit speed dial. Oliver answered on the first ring.

"Mr. Blackwood?"

"Purchase heels for Ms. Carter," Nathan ordered. "Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, or Manolo Blahnik. Deliver them to Cliffside Manor immediately."

Evelyn's head snapped toward him.

Those were her favorite designers.

"Right away, sir!" Oliver's enthusiasm suggested he thought this might lead to reconciliation.

Nathan's gaze dropped to her feet. "Size 36," he added quietly. "Don't get it wrong."

The unspoken implication hung between them—he still remembered every detail about her.