Chapter 495

Evelyn instructed the two bodyguards to wait outside the grand entrance before stepping into the VIP lounge with Sadie.

Nathan was already seated in the lounge, his piercing gaze locking onto her the moment she entered. "You're here."

His attention shifted briefly to Sadie, his tone firm. "Mr. Goldmann requested that you come alone."

Evelyn paused mid-step, exchanging a glance with Sadie. "Wait for me here. I'll be fine."

Sadie hesitated, her jaw tightening, but she didn't argue. Still, her sharp eyes tracked Evelyn’s every movement as she ascended the stairs.

Quincy—no, Oliver—cast her an amused smirk. "I’ve heard you’re quite the fighter, Ms. Sadie. Maybe you could teach me a thing or two when you have time?"

Sadie barely spared him a glance, her voice flat. "Only if you’ve got a death wish."

Oliver choked on his own laughter.

When Evelyn pushed open the study door, Nathan stood silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows, dressed in nothing but a crisp white shirt. His broad shoulders were as imposing as ever, yet something about his stance seemed… lonely.

He didn’t turn around, but his voice cut through the silence like a blade. "How have you been these past three years?"

Evelyn crossed her arms, her tone deliberately cool. "Mr. Goldmann, I assumed this meeting was to discuss our business partnership. Yet your first question is personal?"

Nathan finally turned, his dark eyes burning into hers. "Answer me. How have you been?"

A humorless smile curved her lips. "Wonderful. Free. Happy."

His response was immediate. "I haven’t been."

Evelyn’s fingers twitched at her sides, her pulse betraying her.

Nathan closed the distance between them in three strides. When she instinctively stepped back, he caged her against the wall, one arm braced beside her head, the other wrapping around her waist.

The scent of him—sandalwood and something uniquely him—flooded her senses, dizzying.

"Zoe," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "I missed you."

Her lashes fluttered.

He missed her?

After everything? After he was the one who pushed her away?

A cold laugh escaped her. "You don’t get to say that, Nathan Goldmann."

His silence was heavy, his expression unreadable.

Evelyn met his gaze head-on. "You filed for divorce. You left. And now you’re telling me you regret it?"

Nathan’s lips curved, but there was no humor in it. "I never signed the papers."

Her breath hitched.

What?

His thumb brushed her cheek. "We’re still married, Zoe."

The words slammed into her like a physical blow.

She shoved against his chest, but he didn’t budge. "After three years of separation, our marriage is effectively over."

Nathan’s grip on her wrist tightened. "Not unless I say it is."

"You’re unbelievable!"

"Yes," he agreed, his voice rough. "I am."

Evelyn stared at him, stunned.

Nathan exhaled slowly. "Do you know why I never came to Morwich to find you?"

She said nothing.

"Because I was afraid," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Evelyn’s pulse roared in her ears.

Afraid?

Nathan Goldmann was afraid?

His fingers traced her wrist, sending shivers down her spine. "Afraid that if I saw you, I wouldn’t be able to let you go again."