Chapter 309

Upon spotting Nathaniel, Abigail discreetly slipped out of the bedroom, carefully shutting the door behind her.

Evelyn froze when she saw Nathaniel, her eyes locking with his intense gaze. "I promise I won't get crumbs on the sheets," she said quickly.

She knew all too well about Nathaniel's obsessive cleanliness, especially regarding food in bed - an absolute dealbreaker for him.

But hunger overruled propriety right now. When a pregnant woman craved food, nothing else mattered. The twins in her womb were already protesting loudly, completely unconcerned about social niceties.

Nathaniel stood by the bed, his dark hair still glistening with moisture.

A few damp strands fell across his forehead, softening his usually stern features and giving him an aristocratic elegance that made him look like a prince from some European portrait.

His robe hung open slightly, revealing his sculpted chest. Evelyn's eyes traced a single water droplet as it slid down his skin, disappearing beneath the fabric.

She swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how dry her throat had become.

Nathaniel's voice was low when he finally spoke. "You and Jonathan seem quite close. Meeting parents already?"

Evelyn's lips parted in surprise before she recovered. "It's not like that. Jonathan got hurt protecting me last month, so I treated him to dinner as thanks."

"His mother just happened to bring over homemade food that night. Pure coincidence we all ate together."

She and Jonathan weren't dating, let alone at the family-introduction stage of any relationship.

As her explanation sank in, the storm clouds in Nathaniel's eyes cleared slightly. Perhaps he'd misjudged the situation.

His voice deepened. "Do I get a thank-you dinner too? Or have you forgotten who actually saved you that night?"

Evelyn set down her snack. "With your busy schedule, I assumed you wouldn't have time for something so trivial."

"Consider this my private expression of gratitude then. May your business ventures prosper and your life be peaceful."

Her words irritated Nathaniel. She'd invited Jonathan without hesitation but made excuses when it came to him. The double standard stung.

Sometimes he wondered if Evelyn was some divine test of his patience.

Suppressing his annoyance, he changed tactics. "Have you considered leaving that studio? A small operation like that limits your growth."

"And frankly, Jonathan doesn't strike me as trustworthy."

To Nathaniel, both Judith and her son seemed problematic, with Jonathan being particularly transparent in his intentions. Did the man really think no one noticed how he looked at Evelyn?

Nathaniel could practically see the schemes brewing behind Jonathan's smile. If Evelyn stayed at that studio, who knew what trouble she might encounter?

Evelyn hesitated. "Not right now."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "Is he really that important to you?"

She looked away. "Think whatever you want."

What Nathaniel didn't know was that in a few months, Evelyn would be leaving Bern City entirely for Nord City.

Quitting the studio would be simple compared to resigning from a major corporation.

"Evelyn, if not for Grandmother, I wouldn't even bother with you."

Furious, Nathaniel stalked toward the walk-in closet, done with this conversation.

Left alone, Evelyn quietly finished every last snack on the tray.

Wiping her mouth, she sank back into the pillows, finally satisfied.

The alcohol still fogged her mind, making her drowsy. All she wanted now was to close her eyes and drift off.

When Nathaniel returned, now dressed in a crisp suit, he found Evelyn fast asleep. Her sundress had ridden up slightly, revealing toned legs that made his breath catch.