Chapter 80

Nathan wasn't planning to meet her, but he certainly wasn't going to let her escape either.

Evelyn stormed out of the studio in frustration. When she checked her phone, she discovered the message Daisy had sent her an hour earlier.

Her breath hitched as she opened the text.

'Mommy, we've kidnapped Daddy and brought him home. See you soon!'

Evelyn sped home like a woman possessed. Finding the living room empty, she rushed straight to the children's bedroom.

The door was firmly locked.

"Open this door right now!" Evelyn pounded on the wood. The three little traitors had barricaded themselves inside, refusing to budge.

Their mother clearly wasn't willing to accept their father. Today, they were determined to make him convince her.

"Fine! Stay in there! I'm getting the spare key." Evelyn scoffed.

Unbelievable. Her own children had chosen to hide that man in their room!

She returned with the key, fury radiating from every pore, but froze when she saw the man sitting casually on the bed.

Nathan Goldmann.

Evelyn turned to leave, but a small hand shoved her forward and the door clicked shut behind her.

She twisted the knob violently. "Open this door immediately!"

Warm breath tickled her ear as a muscular arm caged her against the door. "Evelyn," Nathan murmured, "I warned you there would be consequences for lying to me."

A shiver ran down her spine. "I'll sue you for trespassing!"

Nathan's lips curved. "Your children invited me. As their father, that hardly qualifies as trespassing."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to that dangerous register she knew too well. "They've clearly chosen sides. Gave us this lovely private space to... reconcile."

"There's nothing to reconcile!"

Evelyn swung at him, but he caught her wrist effortlessly. In one fluid motion, he lifted her and tossed her onto the bed.

"Nathan, don't you dare—mmph!" His mouth crashed down on hers, stealing both her protest and her breath.

She fought against him, but his scorching chest pressed against hers, igniting fires she'd tried so hard to extinguish. His breathing grew ragged as his wandering hands threatened to unravel her completely.

No. This couldn't happen.

With a desperate shove, Evelyn broke free. "Stop it, Nathan—"

Her voice cracked. Hot tears spilled over as she finally deployed her most effective weapon.

Nathan stilled at the sight.

She pounded her fists against his chest like a wild thing. "You destroyed me six years ago! Why won't you leave me alone? You're just as vile as Vivian! Partners in crime! I hate you!"

Nathan's expression darkened.

Gently, he wiped her tears away. "I was never her partner."

But how could he possibly explain?

Evelyn turned her face away, eyes red-rimmed. "Just get it over with. You've broken me once. What's two or three more times?"

To her shock, Nathan simply gathered her into his arms. "Sleep."

Evelyn went rigid. He was... letting her go? All this time, tears were the key?

A realization struck her. Nathan Goldmann responded to vulnerability.

The next morning...

Three small figures pressed their ears against the bedroom door, listening for any sign their plan had succeeded.

The door swung open abruptly, sending them tumbling at Evelyn's feet.