Chapter 2

A sardonic smile played on Evelyn's lips. Three years ago, this scene would have shattered her. But now that the divorce papers with Nathaniel were signed, it didn't matter how many women paraded through this mansion. None of it concerned her anymore.

Evelyn moved forward. "Hello—"

Before she could complete her greeting, the stunning blonde brushed past her without acknowledgment. The woman surveyed the living room with a critical eye before addressing the butler. "Gregory, these drapes are absolutely dreadful. And this furniture? Outdated by at least a decade. Have everything replaced with my preferred designs by week's end."

Evelyn watched in disbelief as this stranger redecorated what had been her marital home. "Excuse me," she interrupted sharply. "Who exactly are you? We're not redecorating."

The woman turned with a condescending smile. "Victoria Sinclair. Future mistress of Whitmore Manor. Naturally, the decor falls under my jurisdiction."

"Victoria Sinclair?" The name hit Evelyn like a physical blow. So this explained Nathaniel's sudden urgency for divorce. His precious Victoria had returned.

With his beloved back, the temporary replacement could be discarded.

"I see my reputation precedes me." Victoria's smile turned predatory. "Do us both a favor and sign those papers quickly. You've overstayed your welcome by three years."

Evelyn maintained her composure. "How touching. If you loved him so much, why disappear when he needed you most after the accident?"

Three years ago, Nathaniel had been left comatose after the horrific crash. His grandmother Eleanor had desperately sought a bride to continue the family line, but all the society girls who'd once flocked to him vanished overnight.

Evelyn had been Eleanor's caretaker then. The older woman had shown her nothing but kindness, even helping settle her debts. Unable to watch Eleanor's heartbreak, Evelyn had agreed to the marriage.

Everyone—including Evelyn herself—had expected Nathaniel to die. The marriage was meant to be symbolic. Then miraculously, he woke up.

Overnight, Evelyn became the unwanted wife. The Whitmores, Bern City's most powerful family, couldn't bear the scandal of their heir married to a common nurse. Her existence had been hidden ever since.

Victoria's perfect facade cracked. "My brothers forbade it! They locked me away! You stole what should have been mine!"

She drew herself up haughtily. "I'm the Sinclair heiress from Nord City. My brothers control half the financial district. Cross me, and I'll make sure your pathetic family regrets it."

Evelyn's eyes turned to ice. "Touch one hair on their heads, and you'll regret it more."

"Then be smart and sign." Victoria gestured to the documents on the table, satisfaction oozing from every pore. Three years of waiting culminated in this moment.

"They're already signed," Evelyn said flatly.

"At least you're not completely stupid." Victoria produced a check from her designer bag. "A million dollars. Consider it severance pay."

Evelyn didn't even glance at the offered check, her smirk mirroring Victoria's earlier condescension.

"Don't tell me it's not enough!" Victoria scoffed. "This is ten years of your nurse's salary. Take the money and disappear. Nathaniel and I belong together—we're from the same world. You're just... background noise."

Each word struck like a physical blow. Numb, Evelyn retreated to the master suite. Truthfully, she'd planned to leave regardless of Victoria's dramatic entrance.

With the divorce finalized, there was nothing keeping her here.

Packing revealed how little she truly owned—a single suitcase held three years of marriage. It felt like waking from a beautiful dream.

Her gaze fell on the pregnancy test resting on the nightstand. Time to end this chapter.

Victoria barged in without knocking, still clutching the divorce papers. "Finished yet?" Her eyes zeroed in on the medical form. "Wait—is that from the maternity hospital?"

Evelyn snatched up the test, crushing it in her fist. Victoria's eyes widened. "Oh my God. You're pregnant?"