Chapter 252

Evelyn's words washed over Nathaniel like a soothing balm. His shoulders relaxed as he marveled at her thoughtfulness.

She was perfect - kind, intelligent, and utterly enchanting in ways that made his chest tighten.

Julian Montgomery's protective instincts flared. He'd be damned if any man, particularly a divorced older gentleman like Nathaniel Whitmore, dared to pursue his sister.

This potential connection between Evelyn and Nathaniel needed to be severed before it could blossom.

Nathaniel couldn't help but overhear Evelyn's affectionate tone with Julian. The sweetness in her voice sent an unfamiliar pang through him.

When had she ever spoken to him with such warmth?

An odd constriction gripped his chest, making each breath feel laborious. This sensation was entirely new and unsettling.

With sudden decision, Nathaniel slammed the phone onto the counter. "I've changed my mind," he declared coldly.

Regret flooded him instantly. Coming to this store had been a mistake from the beginning.

Before Nathaniel could react further, Julian snatched up the device. "Thanks for your generosity, Whitmore," he said with a patronizing pat to Nathaniel's shoulder.

Nathaniel's jaw clenched. He didn't want nor need Julian's gratitude.

His gaze tracked Julian's movement as the younger man presented the phone to Evelyn. She accepted it hesitantly, her fingers curling around the device that still carried Nathaniel's residual warmth.

Her lips pressed into a thoughtful line as she studied the phone.

Julian, ever attentive, noticed her hesitation. "Something wrong, Evie? Don't you like it?"

"It's fine," she murmured. "This one will do."

Truthfully, Evelyn had minimal requirements for a phone. Any decent model would suffice.

She lifted her head casually, scanning the store - only to lock eyes with Nathaniel. His intense gaze bore into her, filled with emotions she couldn't begin to decipher.

Evelyn's breath caught. There had been something unsettling about Nathaniel since their engagement ceremony that she couldn't shake.

"Where do we pay?" Julian asked a nearby clerk.

"Right this way, sir."

As Julian moved to complete the purchase, Evelyn fumbled with her old phone, attempting to transfer her SIM card.

The tiny card stubbornly refused to budge from its slot.

Suddenly, a pair of familiar, elegant hands appeared, effortlessly plucking the phone from her grasp. With practiced movements, Nathaniel freed the trapped SIM card.

Evelyn blinked in surprise. When she recovered, she found the small card resting in Nathaniel's open palm.

He extended his hand toward her silently, his expression unreadable.

"Thank you," she managed, her fingers brushing against his warm skin as she retrieved the card.

The brief contact sent an electric jolt up her arm. Evelyn bent quickly to insert the SIM, only to find the phone still showed no signal.

"Did you insert it upside down?" Nathaniel's deep voice rumbled beside her.

Evelyn's cheeks warmed as she removed the card again. But her mind was elsewhere.

Why was Nathaniel still here?

Julian returned from checkout just in time to see Nathaniel hovering near Evelyn. Alarm bells rang in his mind.

"What's going on here?" he demanded, inserting himself between them.

Evelyn startled. "Nothing. Just transferring my SIM card."

"I see." Julian's eyes narrowed suspiciously at Nathaniel, concerned the older man might accidentally reveal their complicated history.

"We're finished here," Julian announced firmly, placing a protective hand on Evelyn's back. "Let's go."

He couldn't risk Evelyn spending another moment with Nathaniel. The potential for disaster was too great.

Evelyn was equally eager to leave. She shoved the new phone into her bag without checking if the SIM was properly seated.

They had barely taken three steps when Nathaniel's commanding voice stopped them cold.

"Wait."