Chapter 433

Evelyn had never been this direct before. She never initiated calls either.

Nathaniel's low chuckle vibrated through the phone. "I'll return in three days. Some business still requires my attention here. Be patient, darling."

"Fine." Her reply was ice.

The line went dead abruptly. A child's wails for its mother had cut their conversation short.

The spark in Evelyn's eyes dimmed when she heard how distracted Nathaniel sounded. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. 'How could I be so naive?'

She'd always prided herself on rationality—unlike those women who lived solely for romance. She wasn't the type to fall blindly or trust easily. Yet here she was, painfully human.

Not even when Amelia flashed that cesarean scar, claiming Nathaniel fathered her child, had Evelyn doubted him. She'd dismissed it as lies meant to divide them.

'And I actually believed him to be honorable. That he'd never abandon his own flesh and blood. Yet he's standing right there while telling me he's overseas.'

The realization struck like a blade. Those two weeks he'd been "away"? Likely spent in the city, tending to Amelia and their child. 'Why the deception? If he wants her, he should say so. I wouldn't stand in his way.'

Evelyn understood perfectly. Their marriage was transactional—a performance for his family's benefit. She'd entertained no illusions until he'd suggested starting anew.

She knew the truth. Nathaniel only married her to appease his elders, who feared his entanglement with Amelia given their families' feud.

Seeing him cradle that child shattered remaining delusions. 'He never stopped loving her. That coldness toward Amelia? Just an act to convince his family.'

A fresh wave of self-loathing crested. 'I was merely a prop in his charade. He manipulated my feelings to strengthen his façade. Disgusting.'

Murmurs swirled around her.

"Look at that man with the baby! Gorgeous!"

"His wife just passed by—absolute stunner. Probably fetching medicine."

"What an adorable family!"

"With parents like that, of course the child's beautiful."

Each word lanced through Evelyn. She stared at the floor, drawing a shaky breath.

Sebastian's fists clenched. "Boss, let me teach that bastard—"

"No." Evelyn cut him off with a raised hand. "We're leaving."

"But that lying—"

Seraphina yanked him back. "Don't make this harder for her."

At that moment, Nathaniel turned abruptly, the child still in his arms, as if sensing their presence.