Chapter 53

Theodore responded, "Yes, but now I'm Ms. Carter's—"

Evelyn tugged sharply on Theodore's sleeve, shooting him a warning glance that silenced him immediately.

Nathan's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "How amusing. Sebastian actually assigned his most trusted executive assistant to you. The Kingsleys must be treating their long-lost princess exceptionally well."

His expression darkened as he forcibly suppressed the turmoil within. "Congratulations on securing another wealthy husband. First you deceived me, now you're fooling Sebastian Kingsley. I hope he never discovers your true nature."

Each syllable struck Evelyn like a dagger twisting in her chest.

Theodore felt her tremble against him, her slender frame shaking with barely contained emotion.

His confusion deepened at Nathan's accusations. What the hell is this bastard talking about? Has he lost his mind?

"Teddy," Evelyn inhaled sharply, composing herself with visible effort. "Allow me to introduce Mr. Blackwood, CEO of Blackwood Industries. My ex-husband. We were married for three years."

Theodore's face drained of color as if struck by lightning.

Three years. Evelyn had vanished for three years to become Nathan Blackwood's wife.

She'd abandoned her family, her identity—all for this man?

Why would she ever—?

"But we're divorced now," Evelyn continued icily. "I left without taking a single cent. We're complete strangers."

"We're not legally divorced yet!" Nathan snapped. "Grandfather's birthday—"

"Enough!" Evelyn's voice cracked like a whip. Her crimson-rimmed eyes blazed with fury. "Stop using your grandfather as an excuse to prolong this farce! You just want to keep me trapped so you can continue humiliating me, isn't that right? Because you know how much I respect Reginald!"

Nathan flinched as if physically struck.

This fiery anger was foreign on Evelyn. In his memory, she'd been docile—a silent punching bag who absorbed every cruelty without complaint.

But now her gaze burned with pure hatred.

Far more intense than when she'd confronted him at the hospital.

"There's nothing left between us!" Evelyn's voice shook with rage. "You destroyed our marriage the moment you slept with Victoria while we were still wed. Did I ever demand compensation? Did I ever seek revenge? Yet you dare judge me? Expect me to remain chaste while you paraded your mistress? How dare you be this selfish!"

Selfish?

The word pierced Nathan's chest like a bullet.

He didn't recognize his own increasingly erratic behavior. Couldn't comprehend why he couldn't let go of this woman who'd walked away.

"Unlike you, I keep my promises," Evelyn spat. "I would have honored our agreement to keep the divorce secret until Reginald's birthday. But you couldn't even control Victoria from exposing everything!"

Her bitter laugh extinguished the last light in her eyes. "Now I understand. You're blaming me because you can't bear to blame your precious Victoria, can you?"

Nathan froze, his body turning to stone.

He watched helplessly as Theodore protectively embraced his ex-wife. His face burned as if slapped repeatedly.

"I will never look back."

Nathan's fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.

He'd been the one to discard her first—so why did he feel like the abandoned one?

Bitter acid rose in his throat. His heart bled from invisible wounds.