Chapter 390

Nathaniel's piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn as he finally spat out through clenched teeth, "Fine. Have it your way."

Evelyn's fingers curled into tight fists, her resolve hardening like steel. For her unborn child, she wouldn't yield an inch.

"You and Julian are two peas in a pod," Nathaniel sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "Both of you wielding Eleanor as your weapon against me."

At Julian's name, Evelyn's breath hitched. Had her brother confronted Nathaniel? Julian was the only Montgomery who knew about both her secret marriage and pregnancy.

A cold dread crept up her spine. "Leave him out of this. The decision was mine alone. He actually advised against keeping the baby."

Nathaniel's eyebrow arched in surprise. "He opposed it?" Then why was she being so stubborn?

With an angry jerk, he loosened his tie. "Using a child as leverage is pathetic."

Evelyn met his glare with mocking defiance. "I'm well aware."

"Yet here you are - a hopeless romantic fool!" His laugh was cruel.

After discovering Evelyn's condition, Nathaniel had secretly consulted top specialists about termination risks. He'd even arranged the finest obstetrician to ensure her future fertility. Why was she so obsessed with Julian?

Evelyn's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Exactly. If I weren't such a fool, would I have married you? Spent three years as your obedient puppet?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Nathaniel... is this concern about me and the baby because you want me to stay?"

She braced for his trademark icy rebuke.

Instead, Nathaniel remained eerily composed, his dark eyes studying her with unsettling intensity. After a charged silence, he stated coolly, "That's one possibility."

The unexpected admission sent shockwaves through Evelyn.

Under the harsh lighting, Nathaniel's flawless features appeared carved from marble as his gaze darkened. "You know how Eleanor adores you. I lied about your pregnancy to convince her for surgery." His lips thinned. "Fate has a twisted sense of humor - the lie became truth. If we remain married, we can pretend nothing changed. Life continues as before."

"As before?" Evelyn's mind reeled. Was he actually reconsidering divorce?

Nathaniel shifted uncomfortably before regaining his composure. "You'll retain all privileges as Mrs. Whitmore. We'll share the spotlight together."

Evelyn's pulse skyrocketed. "But the baby isn't yours!"

"I know." His jaw tightened. "I've never cared about marital conventions. But you must sever all ties with Julian and the Montgomerys." He could tolerate the pregnancy, but never the child's father in their lives.

Evelyn's thoughts spiraled. Cutting off Julian was impossible - her brother wasn't even the father! Nathaniel had completely misunderstood.

"Evelyn Carter!" Nathaniel's voice turned glacial. "That's my non-negotiable condition."

The tension shattered when his phone rang. An unfamiliar voice announced, "Mr. Whitmore? This is the Metropolitan Police. We need you to come in regarding a kidnapping and assault case..."