Chapter 51

My heart skipped a beat. If it was him, what role was he playing to settle my debts? My spouse?

But Evelyn's hopes shattered instantly when the creditor uttered a name—Nathaniel Sterling.

She dialed Nathaniel's number immediately. Within twenty minutes, he appeared before her.

When Evelyn explained the situation, Nathaniel exhaled deeply. "God, Evelyn, I thought something terrible happened to you. It's just this? Don't worry about it."

"This isn't nothing, Nate." Evelyn met his gaze solemnly. "I don't know when I can repay you. Thank you, truly."

"No hurry. The money isn't going anywhere."

"But—"

"If you really want to thank me," Nathaniel interrupted, his warm eyes locking onto hers, "then buy me dinner. I came straight here without eating." His voice softened. "Sharing your burdens makes me happy."

Evelyn recognized that particular glimmer in his eyes—the unspoken affection between a man and woman.

She quickly looked away and nodded. "Alright."

Fresh out of prison, Evelyn's funds were limited. She worried she couldn't even afford one proper meal.

But Nathaniel, ever considerate, suggested grabbing tacos from a street vendor.

Here was the heir to the Sterling fortune, casually eating street tacos by the roadside. Guilt gnawed at Evelyn as Nathaniel happily found them a spot to sit.

"You wouldn't believe how much I love these," he said between bites. "Lived on them throughout college."

Evelyn knew the truth—he'd chosen this precisely to spare her wallet.

Warmth flooded her chest at his thoughtfulness.

Owing Nathaniel was infinitely better than owing the nightclub. Yet this debt weighed differently on her heart.

She watched him finish his meal, unable to join due to her delicate health condition that prohibited spicy foods.

Walking beneath the neon glow of downtown Willowbrook, Nathaniel sighed. "You know, Evelyn? In college, I dreamed of strolling these streets with you. Never imagined it'd take until our thirties to happen."

Melancholy tinged his voice, yet happiness shone through.

Evelyn offered a soft smile. "Nate, I'm grateful we reconnected, but—"

"Would you consider being with me?" He stopped abruptly, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Evelyn froze. Her pulse hammered against her ribs.

"You're divorced from Alexander now, right? Rumor says he's marrying Victoria soon."

She'd believed all love for that man had died. Yet the mention of his impending marriage to Victoria sent sharp pain through her chest—proof some ember still smoldered.

But it was just an ember. Their story had ended.

"Evelyn, I'll wait for you." Nathaniel didn't press further, smiling gently instead. As he reached for her hand, blinding headlights cut through the night.

A luxury sedan screeched to a halt before them. The door swung open, revealing an achingly familiar silhouette.

Alexander Blackwood.

Impeccably dressed and radiating icy disdain, his lips curled at the sight of Evelyn with Nathaniel.

"Evelyn Sinclair," he sneered. "How cheap can you be? Fresh out of prison and already whoring yourself to another man behind your husband's back? If you wanted him, why crawl into my bed? Or do you get off on the cheating?"