Chapter 326

The subway car rattled along the tracks as Evelyn pressed her face into Nathaniel's chest. His whispered confession had left her dizzy, her cheeks burning crimson.

She prayed no one had overheard, though the noisy carriage made that impossible. His words had been meant for her ears alone.

"Don't be ridiculous," she muttered against his shirt. "I never saved you."

Nathaniel's arms tightened around her. "That rainy night - it was you. I always knew."

Evelyn stiffened. Even now, the memory made her squirm with embarrassment.

"And you rescued me from those kidnappers," she countered. "We're even. No obligations."

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. Even after his heartfelt declaration, she still pushed him away. Normally so perceptive, yet now willfully blind.

"Stop being stubborn," he chided, fingers combing through her hair. "I know how much that night cost you. The struggle you went through before helping me."

A sniffle escaped Evelyn. No one had ever acknowledged her inner turmoil like this. Not mocked or dismissed, but seen and understood.

Growing up bullied, she'd learned to armor herself. Now everyone saw only the unbreakable facade. She'd almost convinced herself it was real.

Until Nathaniel smashed through her defenses.

His sigh ruffled her hair. "So much for romance. You walked right past that tulip garden I prepared. And now my confession happens in this noisy tin can."

Evelyn jerked back. "Wait - those tulips at Silver Moon Estate were for me?"

Nathaniel's smug look demanded praise.

She narrowed her eyes. "Liar! What about your public confession for Amelia at Yonder River?"

Patiently, he explained, "I've spent days tracking down who spread those rumors. Someone wanted you to doubt me."

Evelyn blinked rapidly, struggling to process this.

Leaning close, Nathaniel's breath tickled her ear. "Think, Evelyn. With my position, public declarations are dangerous. They'd make you a target."

The kidnapping flashed through her mind - proof of his words.

"The confession was for a woman named Charlotte Bennett. Pure coincidence about the nickname. I can show you the booking receipts."

Understanding dawned.

Nathaniel's lips brushed her earlobe. "Tell me, did you curse my name that day by the river?"

Mortified, Evelyn nodded. She'd thought he'd summoned her to witness his love for Amelia. The guilt of that misunderstanding weighed heavy.

"Next time," he said, stroking her hair, "just ask me instead of assuming the worst."

"Fine," she mumbled, pride yielding to remorse.

With the air cleared, Evelyn relaxed slightly in his embrace. Nathaniel exhaled in relief. That night she'd disappeared after the tulip incident, he'd scoured the city in panic. The fear of her vanishing again haunted him.

He pressed her closer, wishing he could merge their bodies so she'd never leave.

The subway screeched to their stop. Nathaniel guided Evelyn out, intent on taking her somewhere quiet - until...