Chapter 352

Sophia exhaled sharply. "Evelyn, stop blaming yourself. Jonathan is the one at fault here, not you. I genuinely believed he was decent, but to discover he was dating someone else while chasing after you? The audacity! He's clearly manipulating you."

"Sophia, I turned him down when he tried those cheesy flower gestures. He backed off immediately after that. He never mentioned it again."

"That public confession outside the library? Completely unhinged. And showing up at your place at night? That's not romantic—it's terrifying."

"Evelyn, don't let your past define your worth. You deserve so much better than this. Just cut him off completely."

The conversation lifted Evelyn's spirits slightly. Hanging up, she grimaced at the thought of her early morning appointment.

A plan formed in her mind—she’d leave before dawn. By the time Christopher came to pick her up, she could claim she’d already left.

Perfect.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through her curtains later than expected.

Her alarm hadn’t gone off.

Panicked, she dressed hastily and rushed out—only to collide with Christopher and Margaret hauling grocery bags into the house.

"You're awake! Aunt Margaret and I went shopping. Got all your favorites," Christopher announced cheerfully.

Margaret bustled toward the kitchen. "Wash up, Evelyn. Breakfast is ready."

Evelyn forced a polite smile.

Christopher nudged her playfully. "Up so early? Aunt Margaret said you don’t have Monday classes. I was going to let you sleep in before we hit the mall for that piano you wanted."

She cleared her throat. "No morning lectures, but I need to study at the library."

"No problem. I’ll drop you off after breakfast."

Her smile turned strained. Escape seemed impossible.

After breakfast, she checked the clock. "Christopher, we should go."

"Why the rush?"

"Just... something came up." She figured she could head to campus first, then take a cab to the courthouse.

Making Nathaniel wait a little wouldn’t hurt.

Oblivious, Christopher drove her to college without suspicion.

The entire ride, Evelyn’s nerves were frayed. She texted Nathaniel: Running late. Please wait.

His immediate call made her flinch.

She declined and typed: Can’t talk now.

His next message burned through the screen: Who are you with?

She left it on read.

The car halted at the campus gates.

"Thanks, Christopher! Drive safe!" She bolted before he could respond.

From the shadows, she watched his car disappear before slipping out to hail a cab.

Rush hour made it impossible.

Near tears, she dialed Nathaniel. He answered instantly.

Before he could speak, she blurted, "Any chance we can reschedule, Mr. Whitmore?"