Chapter 176

The call connected almost instantly.

"Hello?" Benjamin's voice was hushed, barely audible. "Nathaniel, I'm in the middle of homework. What's going on?"

"It's me," Evelyn answered.

"Evelyn?" Benjamin blurted, his tone sharp with surprise.

He cleared his throat quickly, forcing his voice into something more composed. "Evelyn, why are you calling from Nathaniel's phone?"

"Is your sister home?" she asked.

The question threw him off. "Why? What do you need her for?"

Evelyn hesitated. She couldn’t explain Nathaniel’s condition to Benjamin—he was too young to be dragged into this.

"Um... Nathaniel really needs her right now. Is she free to come over?"

Benjamin frowned. Something wasn’t right. "She’s not in the country. It’ll be a while before she’s back. Why does Nathaniel need my sister? Why didn’t he just call her himself?"

Evelyn bit her lip. Amelia wouldn’t be able to help in time.

"Never mind. Bye."

Benjamin wasn’t having it. "Hey! Wait—"

She didn’t have time to explain. Ending the call, she exhaled sharply. Her plan had been simple—bring the one woman Nathaniel still cared about, solve the problem, and give them a chance to reconnect. Two birds, one stone.

Except Amelia wasn’t here.

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples. Then, Nathaniel’s phone buzzed again. She expected Benjamin calling back, but the screen flashed with Dominic’s name.

Her first instinct was to call Nathaniel from the bathroom, but she caught herself just in time.

After a beat, she answered.

"Hey, Nathaniel, where are you?" Dominic’s voice was light, teasing. Nothing urgent.

"It’s me," Evelyn said.

Dominic chuckled. "Evelyn! Where’s Nathaniel?"

"He’s... in the shower. Can’t talk right now."

A pause. Then, Dominic’s laugh deepened. "Oh. Got it. Sorry for interrupting."

It took her a second to realize what he meant. Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Wait! Don’t hang up!"

Dominic hesitated. "Huh? What’s up?"

Evelyn glanced at the rain outside, thinking fast. "Does Nathaniel have any ex-girlfriends?"

Dominic nearly choked on his drink. "What? You want me to dig up his past for you?"

"No," she said quickly. "I mean, can you help me contact one of them? Someone who could come talk to him tonight?"

Dominic coughed. "You—you want me to call one of his exes to come over? Right now?"

Evelyn nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her. "Yes. He’s in a... unique situation. He needs—"

A hand reached past her, snatching the phone.

Evelyn spun around.

Nathaniel stood behind her, his expression unreadable.