Chapter 117

Nathaniel placed his fork down with deliberate precision, his piercing gaze locking onto Evelyn.

Drawing a steadying breath, Evelyn ventured, "Why did you refuse Dr. Montgomery for Grandma Eleanor's surgery? Julian is practically unmatched in his specialty. Wouldn't he be the safest choice?"

A shadow flickered across Nathaniel's face, his jaw tightening. "Who told you that?"

"I ran into your mother at the hospital today," Evelyn admitted.

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, his voice turning glacial. "Is that all you wanted to discuss?"

"Perhaps you should reconsider Victoria's brother's conditions," Evelyn pressed. "It doesn't seem like you'd be losing anything."

The air between them grew thick with tension.

Studying Nathaniel, Evelyn suddenly felt like she was staring at a stranger—his motives completely inscrutable.

His lips curled into a sardonic smile. "No losses? Is your eagerness to throw yourself into another man's arms clouding your judgment?"

"It's the logical solution—for us, and most importantly, for Grandma Eleanor," Evelyn insisted.

"That's your opinion," Nathaniel countered sharply.

The chair scraped against the floor as he stood. "And what's yours?" Evelyn called after him.

Nathaniel froze mid-step. "That's none of your business," he replied, his voice uncharacteristically unsteady.

Undeterred, Evelyn pressed on. "You've been delaying the divorce. Could it be... you've developed feelings for me?"

Nathaniel's shoulders tensed momentarily before he turned, his expression dripping with disdain. "Evelyn, what makes you think you're worthy of such a presumption?"

"Isn't it a possibility?" she challenged.

Truthfully, Evelyn's words were less a genuine question and more a calculated provocation—a desperate attempt to push Nathaniel toward finalizing their separation.

Nathaniel's mouth formed a hard line. "I've said it before—this is solely for Grandma's benefit. I won't be forced into marriage again."

Evelyn caught the pointed reference to their arranged union. The cold detachment in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

Lowering her gaze, she proposed, "We don't have to tell Grandma about the divorce. And I won't mention you and Victoria until after her surgery."

Having regained her composure, Evelyn had no intention of further entangling herself with Nathaniel.

An unexpected surge of irritation darkened Nathaniel's features. "Evelyn, you don't get to dictate the terms of our marriage. Stop scheming," he snapped before storming out.

Left alone, Evelyn mechanically picked at her abandoned meal, the flavors as dull as her spirits.

That night, the master bedroom felt cavernous. Sleep eluded her, each restless hour marked by Nathaniel's conspicuous absence.

The next afternoon, Margaret's invitation provided a welcome distraction.

Arriving at the Dawson residence, Evelyn was surprised to find Julian already there.

Over dessert, she hesitated before asking, "Julian, how critical is surgeon selection for cardiac procedures? Is there really a vast difference between the best and second-best?"

Julian considered the question carefully. "There's always a hierarchy of skill, but context matters. Not every case requires the absolute top specialist—it depends on the patient's specific condition."

Noticing Evelyn's troubled expression, he frowned. "You look pale. Is everything alright?"

"It's nothing," Evelyn deflected. "Just a friend's grandmother needing heart surgery. Their first-choice surgeon isn't available."

Julian's eyes lit with professional interest. "Cardiac surgery, you say?" As a renowned specialist himself, the topic was close to his expertise.