Chapter 26

Nathan's eyes darkened as he scrutinized Evelyn from head to toe. "At sixteen, you were soft. Vulnerable. Now? You're nothing but thorns. Defensive spikes that shoot out the moment someone sees through you."

Evelyn absorbed his words, each one a fresh wound. Yesterday's accusations still echoed in her mind.

Nathan had a gift for cruelty.

His words were daggers, shredding her heart until it bled.

She was done.

"Work starts soon," Evelyn said flatly, stepping past him.

Nathan seized her wrist, yanking her back. His eyes burned. "We're not finished. How can you just walk away?!"

Olivia rushed out, frantic. "Nathan, stop! Let her go!"

Evelyn's low heels offered no stability. The sudden jerk twisted her ankle. Pain shot up her leg, but she refused to flinch.

She wrenched free as Olivia pried at Nathan's grip.

Then—Evelyn ripped off her ring and hurled it at his face.

Her voice was steel. "We're done. Today."

She kept it steady. No cracks. No tears.

If she wavered, she lost.

For five years, Nathan and Sophia Montgomery had played their parts perfectly.

Olivia once warned Nathan to stay away from Sophia. He swore there was nothing between them.

Now? The truth was clear.

Evelyn had been the fool.

Across the courtyard, Sophia lounged by the fountain, smirking into her compact mirror as she watched the drama unfold.

Evelyn refused to look weak.

The ring struck Nathan's nose. He caught it, staring at the band like it was a betrayal. When he finally met her eyes, his voice cracked. "Done? Just like that? I'm in agony, and you say it like it's nothing?"

"Both of you, stop." Olivia's gaze darted between them.

Evelyn's laugh was ice. "I'm calm because I know the truth."

"That's all you have to say?!" Nathan's fists clenched, trembling.

"You stopped trusting me. Nothing I say matters now." She turned, ignoring the throbbing in her ankle.

Nathan lunged after her.

Olivia grabbed him. "This is work! Do you want to humiliate her in front of everyone? Think, Nathan!"

Evelyn's throat tightened. Olivia was right.

Her past was a shadow she couldn't escape. If Nathan snapped, he'd drag it all into the light.

Where was the rational man she once knew?

He knew how much reputation meant to her after what happened five years ago. Yet he'd weaponized it.

"You believe Sophia over Evelyn?" Olivia spat. "What is she to you? Are you really that stupid?"

Nathan watched Evelyn walk away, fists shaking.

The flowers. Sophia's lies. That nosy neighbor, Tabitha.

His voice was raw. "I trusted her once. Never again."

Evelyn entered the building, head down, thoughts chaotic.

A small voice chirped, "Miss Evelyn!"

Alexander Blackwood clung to her leg, grinning up at her with wide, innocent eyes. "I waited forever! Now I caught you!"

Evelyn scanned the lobby. No one seemed to recognize the CEO's son.

"Why are you here?" she whispered, trying to detach him.

Alexander only tightened his grip. "Miss Evelyn, your eyes are red."

Sebastian Whitmore descended the stairs, scanning the lobby. The young master had vanished.

Security footage revealed the boy on the first floor—hugging Evelyn's leg.

Sebastian called her.

"Miss Sinclair, could you bring Alexander to the top floor? Mr. Blackwood is... displeased."

Evelyn stiffened. "Can't you come down?"

A pause. Then—"Actually, just stay there."

Sebastian's tone shifted.

A minute later, Dominic Blackwood emerged from his private elevator.

Evelyn's pulse spiked. "Your father's here. Let go."

The boy refused.

Dominic's large hand closed around his son's wrist.

Alexander's grip on Evelyn's thigh meant Dominic's fingers brushed her skin—smooth, bare, warm.

Before being led away, Alexander blinked up at her. "Miss Evelyn, does it still hurt where Daddy hit you?"

Evelyn froze.

Hit her?

The boy clarified, "You were bad, so he spanked you, right? He said you cried..."

Heat flooded her cheeks. "I—I'm fine! It doesn't hurt!"

She bowed stiffly to Dominic, putting distance between them.

His gaze dropped to her bare left hand.

A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips.