Chapter 38

"Damn it, Nathan! Have you lost your mind?!"

Julian's voice cracked through the air like a whip.

Evelyn's face drained of color. Her slender arms hung limp at her sides, beads of cold sweat glistening on her porcelain forehead.

Julian's heart ached at the sight, but Nathan remained stone-faced.

Nathan's fist unclenched as he stumbled backward, lips parting in shock.

"Ms. Carter, your shoulder's dislocated! We need to get you to Kingsley Medical immediately!"

Julian moved to help, but Evelyn sidestepped him with glacial precision. "I don't need your help."

"How exactly will you fix this yourself?" Julian's voice rose in alarm.

"That's none of your concern!"

Evelyn's glare could have frozen lava. She put every ounce of remaining strength into keeping distance between them.

Julian froze, hands hovering uselessly in the air.

Nathan studied his ex-wife's trembling form with newfound clarity. The woman before him bore no resemblance to the docile wife he'd known.

For three years, she'd been all soft smiles and gentle gestures, bending over backward to please him. Back then, Nathan had resented the arranged marriage, and her efforts only fueled his irritation. Eventually, he'd felt nothing but disgust.

Now separated, that radiant smile had vanished from his life, replaced by this seething hostility. So why did he find this version of her... fascinating?

"Stop deluding yourself, Nathan."

Evelyn's breath came in short gasps, her eyes burning crimson. "I'm here to work. I didn't come to humiliate you or slap you across the face. I just want to rebuild my life after you threw me away. You ended our marriage without a second thought, so why can't you let me move on? Are you still hung up on me?" Her laugh held no mirth. "No, that's not it. You just can't stand seeing me thrive without you."

Nathan's pupils contracted sharply, throat working as if swallowing shards of glass.

Evelyn's smile turned brittle. "Want to see me heartbroken over losing you? That ship has sailed, Nathan. For three years, I drowned in misery every single day. Leaving you was my salvation. Don't approach me again before Grandfather's birthday. I never want to lay eyes on you."

She turned away. The agony in her chest eclipsed the throbbing in her shoulder, leaving her numb.

Truthfully, she could've popped the joint back into place right then. But she needed to feel this pain - needed to remember what Nathan's touch cost her.

Suddenly, strong hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.

Nathan had swept her into a bridal carry from behind.

"Put me down!" Evelyn's cheeks flamed as she struggled against his unyielding hold.

The more she fought, the tighter his arms became, pressing her soft curves against the hard planes of his chest. She could feel his heartbeat - rapid but steady - beneath her fingertips. That familiar sandalwood scent she'd once loved clung to his clothes.

Tears pricked her eyes unexpectedly. How many nights had she sprayed that cologne on her pillows, pretending he was there? Back then, it had brought comfort. Now, the memory only brought shame.

"You need medical attention. Dislocations aren't to be taken lightly."

Nathan's expression remained impassive, but his eyes darkened dangerously.

"Let go! You couldn't care less when we were married. You forfeited all rights to touch me the moment those divorce papers were signed!" Humiliation and rage made her voice raw. But Nathan simply adjusted his grip, jaw tightening as he strode forward without another word.