Chapter 13

By dawn, they had returned to A City.

Dominic naturally drove the company Bentley back to headquarters.

Abigail stepped out of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Nathan retrieved Evelyn's luggage from the trunk. "I'll take you home first so you can rest. Get some sleep. I'll come find you tonight."

Evelyn nodded.

They wheeled their suitcases toward the curb after bidding farewell to Abigail and Gregory, then hailed a taxi.

Nathan made a mental note to purchase a car tomorrow.

Being without one was becoming increasingly inconvenient.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on Evelyn. She'd managed barely two hours of fitful sleep in the car last night - hardly comfortable.

Before they could flag down a cab, Nathan's phone rang.

"Let me get this." He glanced at the screen and warned Evelyn before answering.

She studied his face as he frowned through the call. After several terse "okays," he finally said, "Understood. I'll be there."

"Trouble at work?" Evelyn asked when he hung up.

"Yeah. Team leader called an emergency meeting before lunch. Wants to capitalize on momentum and strategize next steps." Nathan massaged his temples as a cab rounded the corner.

Evelyn took her luggage from him. "Go ahead. I can manage."

Guilt twisted Nathan's features. Any decent boyfriend would escort his exhausted girlfriend home after a business trip. Yet work obligations forced him to abandon that duty.

Evelyn slid into the taxi.

As it pulled away, she drifted between consciousness and sleep.

Eventually, the driver announced their arrival.

Bleary-eyed, Evelyn recognized her apartment complex.

She stepped into the biting cold.

Five years of independence in A City had hardened her. Colds and fevers barely registered anymore.

But strength had limits.

Every woman craved care and attention.

Nathan's apparent obliviousness to her condition stung.

Two days and one night away left her utterly drained.

Her head throbbed. She must have dozed off because when she next stirred, her breath came in fiery gasps.

Stumbling to the kitchen, she hunted for cold medicine.

Midway through pouring water, her doorbell chimed.

"Who is it?" Her voice emerged weak and raspy.

Few knew this rented apartment - only Nathan and Olivia.

"Miss Sinclair? Neighborhood hospital. We received a house call request for an injection."

Evelyn blinked.

Who could have called them? Nathan?

So he had noticed her illness.

Perhaps it was the fever, but her emotions felt dangerously raw. Even this small gesture touched her deeply.

After the IV drip, another knock came.

Every muscle protested as she dragged herself to the door, only to find an extravagant meal delivery - the kind reserved for drama protagonists.

"Sign here, please." The delivery duo's gazes held unspoken judgment.

Evelyn flushed. This modest neighborhood clashed violently with such opulence.

She signed and they left.

The lavish spread left her bewildered.

Nathan came from comfortable but not extravagant means. Occasional nice dinners were one thing - this was absurd.

Yet it had already been ordered.

Though her appetite had fled, she forced down a few bites of the mild, sick-friendly dishes.

After cleaning up, she texted Nathan: "Thank you."

"For what?" came the swift reply.

Evelyn hesitated. Perhaps he found gratitude between partners unnecessary. "I wanted to say it anyway."

After a long pause: "Since when did you get so sentimental?"

It wasn't sentimentality - just profound gratitude. With her father's affection stolen by another woman and daughter, and extended family long estranged, she stood utterly alone.

Only the Kensington siblings offered warmth now.

Nathan had promised an evening visit.

But afternoon brought another call canceling plans.

Evelyn wordlessly wrapped the three-course meal she'd prepared and refrigerated it.

Morning arrived.

Nathan drove over to collect her.

Her congested voice betrayed her condition as she buckled up.

"You're sick?" Nathan's brow furrowed.

Evelyn froze mid-click, studying his face.

"Cold out?" Concerned, he reached across to feel her forehead. "You're burning up. Wait here - pharmacy's just ahead."

She watched him jog toward the store.

The realization struck like lightning: he'd known about her illness all along.

That explained yesterday's house call and gourmet meal.

Olivia couldn't have arranged it - buried in work since Evelyn's return, she barely had time to breathe.

Her phone vibrated.

Dazed, Evelyn checked the unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Delivery for Miss Sinclair. You're not home?"

"I'm at the complex entrance." She unbuckled and stepped out.

Minutes later, a green-vested courier presented an enormous floral arrangement. "Freshly flown in this morning. Sign here!"

"Who sent these?" Evelyn demanded.

"Client confidentiality." He grinned and departed.

The extravagant bouquet dwarfed her frame.

Its delicate fragrance did nothing to soothe her turmoil.

"Evelyn." Nathan's voice held an edge.

She turned. The vibrant blooms clashed violently with his stormy expression.

"I don't know who sent these." Panic laced her words.

"Really?" His gaze hardened. "Special delivery flowers. How... thoughtful." The sarcasm cut like glass.