Chapter 24
Evelyn dialed Nathan's number.
The same automated message played. "The subscriber you are trying to reach is currently unavailable."
A knot formed in her stomach.
She prayed nothing terrible had occurred.
Next, she tried Olivia.
Olivia answered breathlessly. "What's up, darling?"
Evelyn explained the situation.
"Maybe she got called to a last-minute mahjong game?" Olivia suggested. "You know how she keeps her phone buried in her bag during games. And Nathan's probably swamped with work."
Taking Olivia's words at face value, Evelyn tried to relax.
After hanging up, she stepped into the shower. The hot water revived her spirits somewhat. As she towel-dried her hair, her phone buzzed on the coffee table.
Nathan's name flashed on the screen.
"Hello?" She answered instantly.
Silence stretched before Nathan's icy voice came through. "Evelyn Sinclair, how many men have you been fucking behind my back?"
"What? That's insane!" The accusation blindsided her.
"Stop playing innocent!" His voice cracked with rage. "Who even are you? Some two-faced whore I've been stupid enough to trust?"
Evelyn's grip tightened around her phone.
"Tell me!" Nathan raged. "Am I just your safe option? Your pathetic backup plan? The gullible idiot you cheat on?"
Each word stabbed like icicles.
"Calm down. You're clearly mistaken about something." Her voice turned frosty.
"Mistaken?" A bitter laugh. "I was the fool for trusting you! I should've believed Sophia when she warned me overseas. She was right, wasn't she? You were spreading your legs for anyone who'd pay your tuition!"
His words weren't a question but a condemnation.
The man who'd pledged to marry her now shredded her reputation without proof.
Evelyn's hands trembled violently.
"All those times you claimed to be working?" Nathan sneered. "Bullshit. If you'd really been juggling jobs, where were the exhaustion signs?"
"Then what exactly do you think I was doing?" Her jaw clenched.
"You really want me to say it?"
"Spit it out."
"Fine. Six men in five years. Four married. They kept you as their little whore, funding your education in exchange for your body. You even aborted one of their bastards!"
Her heart shattered.
Hot tears blurred her vision as she stared at the engagement ring.
One week. That's all their engagement had lasted before he destroyed it with baseless accusations.
The man who'd sworn to protect her now publicly branded her a slut based on hearsay.
This betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound.
Nathan kept ranting, demanding to know about the "mystery man" neighbors had seen her with.
Evelyn ended the call mid-sentence.
Her phone rang again.
She let it.
No more words. No more explanations.
Not devastated. Just... exhausted.
Curling on the couch, she hugged her knees. Five years ago, Nathan had appeared like sunlight through storm clouds. He'd promised to clear her skies, to make her world bright again.
She'd believed him.
Like a fool.
Now the storm raged fiercer than ever, and she stood drenched and alone in the downpour.
She drifted into an uneasy sleep, only waking when hunger pangs became unbearable.
Grabbing her purse, she headed out for food. Maybe wandering the city would clear her mind.
The subway turnstile clicked behind her when someone grabbed her wrist.
"Little sister!" Sophia Montgomery beamed.
Nathan's words echoed: "I should've believed Sophia..."
This viper had poisoned Nathan against her.
Evelyn yanked her arm free. "Don't touch me!"
"Such hostility." Sophia smirked, following her onto the crowded train.
The doors closed.
"Mother wants you home for dinner," Sophia announced loudly.
Evelyn ignored her.
"Excuse me!" Sophia suddenly addressed a seated elderly woman. "Your foot's crushing my shoe!"
Tabitha, the neighborhood gossip, blinked up at her.
When she heard Sophia mention their shared mother, Tabitha withdrew her foot. "How old are you, dear?"
"Twenty-six," Sophia snapped.
Tabitha's eyes widened. "Goodness! You look at least thirty-five with a twenty-six-year-old daughter?"
The carriage erupted in laughter.
Sophia's face turned purple with rage.