Chapter 392

Hahaha!

Evelyn no longer had to maintain her facade of docility around Nathan. The shackles were finally off.

She threw her head back with unrestrained laughter. "Do you really think something this insignificant could break me? Evelyn Carter doesn't crumble that easily. You're severely underestimating me, Nathan."

A flicker of relief passed through Nathan's stormy gray eyes. "Good."

"Now tell me," Evelyn crossed her arms, "what's your real motive for coming here tonight?"

Nathan had become increasingly unpredictable lately. Though the thought was absurd, part of her wondered if he'd developed feelings.

For three years, she'd laid her heart bare. Countless opportunities for him to reciprocate. Why now?

If true, the irony would be laughable.

"Evelyn, I owe you." His voice roughened with emotion. "Our marriage may have been in name only, but I treated you poorly. I want to make amends when possible."

"Make amends?" Her laughter turned icy. "Fine. Here's how - promise you'll vanish from my life permanently. No more interference. That's the only reparation I'll accept."

Nathan's chest constricted as if pierced. The pain stole his breath.

Evelyn shrugged off his jacket, tossing it back. "Spare me the noble excuses. If you'd said this was about sabotaging Cassandra, I might've listened."

Watching her retreat into the villa, Nathan felt hollow. The downpour mirrored his turmoil.

Some pathetic part of him had hoped she still cared.

Now he understood - this was how she'd felt those three agonizing years. The helplessness. The unrequited longing.

Back inside, Evelyn pressed against the door, steadying her ragged breaths. The roar of Nathan's Ferrari confirmed his departure.

She moved to the window when warm hands settled on her shoulders.

Startled, she relaxed upon recognizing her brother's touch. "Sebastian! You nearly gave me a heart attack. Since when do you creep around like a ghost?"

"I wasn't sneaking. You were just... preoccupied."

He embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her head as they gazed at the storm. "He's gone?"

"Sorry for waking you."

Evelyn leaned into his solid frame, lashes fluttering shut. "Nathan came to tell me Vivian Prescott leaked those photos."

"Just that?"

"Mm."

Comfortable silence settled between them.

Eventually, Sebastian turned her to face him. "Hypothetically... if Nathan fell in love with you now? If he was willing to devote himself completely to you?"

"Sebastian!" She scowled.

"I'm serious. After everything, if he genuinely changed - would you reconsider? He was your first love, after all."

"Never." Her voice fractured. "It's beyond forgiveness now. I'm... terrified, Sebastian. Love has broken me too many times. I won't lose sleep over a man's moods again. Won't cook elaborate meals only to be ignored. I'm exhausted. Never again."

"Good." Sebastian squeezed her trembling hands. "Nathan forfeited any right to you. My sister deserves infinitely better. Let that regret haunt him forever."

The storm outside mirrored the tempest in Evelyn's chest - turbulent, unrelenting, but ultimately... cleansing.