Chapter 314

The air crackled with tension. Evelyn Carter froze mid-step when her gaze collided with Nathan Blackwood's piercing stare. A delicate frown creased her forehead.

Alexander Whitmore adjusted his designer glasses, his expression shifting to one of mild discomfort.

"Evelyn, I had no idea he'd be here," Alexander murmured, his voice laced with apology. "We should go. Forget the autograph."

A careless laugh escaped Evelyn's lips. "Don't be ridiculous. Since when do we detour around ex-husbands?" Her eyes sparkled with quiet determination. "Mrs. Whitmore deserves that autograph. We're not leaving."

Alexander's sharp intake of breath was audible. He studied Evelyn with newfound admiration. Across the room, Nathan's jaw clenched visibly.

The distance between them was negligible—every word carried. Though their divorce was finalized, Nathan found himself inexplicably drawn to her. The way she spoke of Alexander's mother ignited something primal within him. He needed to know—how close had she grown to Alexander?

Logic warred with impulse. Approaching her would be foolish. Yet his feet moved of their own accord.

The dressing room door burst open.

"Nathan!"

A petite figure in emerald green launched herself at him. Isabelle Montgomery—Julian's younger sister—wrapped herself around Nathan like ivy. Her flushed cheeks pressed against his chest as she giggled. "You came to see me perform! Is this my surprise?"

Nathan's entire body stiffened. His gaze darted to Evelyn, but Julian remained oblivious, chuckling at his sister's antics. To him, this was merely childhood familiarity.

He failed to recognize the inappropriateness—Isabelle was twenty-two, no longer a child, and certainly not Nathan's blood relative.

Especially not with Evelyn watching.

"Come on, Nathan! Hug me properly!" Isabelle's arms tightened around his waist. She tilted her face up, lips puckered in a pout.

Nathan stood like marble, unresponsive.

His attention never wavered from Evelyn. Isabelle followed his gaze, her smile faltering when she spotted the breathtaking woman nearby. Envy darkened her eyes.

"Zoe," Julian teased, "forgetting your real brother now that Nathan's here?" He spread his arms dramatically. "Where's my hug?"

"You have fan clubs for that," Isabelle retorted. Her fingers crept toward Nathan's jawline. "Julian's too predictable. I prefer Nathan—mysterious and brooding. Exactly my type."

Nathan recoiled from her touch.

Then he saw it—Evelyn was walking toward him.

Every muscle in his body tensed. His pulse roared in his ears like a freight train.