Chapter 76

Evelyn's cheeks burned crimson. She'd been completely played!

She jerked her wrist free from his grasp. "That wasn't funny at all."

Turning on her heel, she tried to storm out, but Nathan's strong arms caught her, spinning her back and pressing her firmly against the wall.

Her struggling hands were effortlessly pinned above her head. She glared up at him, breath coming in short gasps. "Nathan Goldmann, if you dare—"

"Weren't you the one begging for lessons?" Nathan murmured, his breath hot against her ear as his wandering hand found the clasp of her dress.

The cool metal gave way with a quiet click.

His fingers traced icy paths across her exposed skin, making her shiver violently. "Nathan!" she hissed through clenched teeth.

He captured her lips in a searing kiss, swallowing her protests.

No! Evelyn writhed in his grasp. Her dress hung precariously off one shoulder, but worse than her compromised clothing was her traitorous body's response.

Anticipating her bite, he pulled back just in time, leaving her teeth snapping at empty air. In that split second of freedom, her hand flew up—

Only to be caught mid-swing.

Nathan crushed her against him, his voice a dangerous growl. "Still want those lessons, princess?"

Realization dawned on Evelyn as she glanced down. Her lips trembled. "N-no. I'm sorry. Please let me go."

Seeing genuine surrender in her eyes, Nathan released her, carefully adjusting her dress back into place. "Never use that tone with a man again," he warned. "You're not ready for where that leads."

When the door clicked shut behind him, Evelyn slid down the wall, knees giving out. Fear coiled in her stomach—not just of him, but of her own reactions.

'Belonging'? The word echoed mockingly in her mind.

'Does he do this with Vivian too?'

She wasn't some purity-obsessed prude, but the thought of her stepsister being part of this twisted game turned her stomach.

Meanwhile, under the icy spray of his shower...

Nathan braced one forearm against the tiles, letting freezing water cascade over his sculpted frame. Droplets clung to his dark lashes as he fought for control.

That damnable taste from six years ago still haunted him. No matter how hard he tried, Vivian couldn't erase Evelyn from his senses.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, Nathan emerged to find his phone vibrating. The screen illuminated Vivian's name, and his expression darkened.

Across town at The Grand Imperial...

Sophia struggled to manage three excited children at the lobster buffet. "Caleb, stop poking your sister with the crab fork!"

"Godmother," Caleb announced suddenly, "we need to kidnap Daddy!"

Sophia choked on her champagne. "Your... Daddy?"

Daisy nodded enthusiastically. "It's a secret! Uncle Goldmann is really our daddy!"

Sophia's fork clattered to her plate. All of Zoe's sacrifices... for nothing?

"How... how did you figure this out so quickly?" Sophia managed.

Liam calmly wiped his mouth. "Simple DNA test. But you can't tell Mommy. She probably doesn't know yet."

Even if she did know, Sophia doubted Zoe would be celebrating.

Sophia sighed, pushing her plate away. "Kids... your mom already knows."

Three pairs of wide eyes locked onto her.

"Godmother!" Caleb gasped. "Why didn't you tell us?"