Chapter 496

Nathaniel was seething. "Grandmother, why must it be about love? Marriage is nothing but a burden to me."

"Congratulations, then. You'll be single again today. Free from all that trouble," Eleanor shot back.

He clenched his jaw, rendered speechless. The words died in his throat as he stood there, frustration simmering beneath his composed exterior.

Eleanor exhaled softly. "You should leave now. The courthouse won't stay open forever."

With a stiff nod, he turned and strode out of the room.

Eleanor watched his retreating figure, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. Despite everything, she hadn’t been able to make Evelyn stay.

Victoria slipped into the room moments later. "Mrs. Whitmore, why didn’t you stop her? She respects you. If you had refused the divorce, she wouldn’t have gone through with it."

"Do you think I don’t know that?" Eleanor’s voice was weary. "But forcing them together won’t solve anything. Love can’t be coerced."

"But he isn’t completely indifferent toward her. They just need time."

A knowing smile curved Eleanor’s lips. "That’s exactly why I didn’t interfere. He needs a wake-up call. If he doesn’t fight for her now, he’ll lose her forever. People never realize what they have until it’s gone."

Victoria considered her words, nodding slowly. "What if they actually go through with the divorce?"

"Then they’ll remarry. It’s not unheard of these days." Eleanor’s tone was light, but her eyes held a glint of determination.

She reached for her phone, instructing her lawyer to draft the property settlement agreement immediately.

Sometimes, a fire needed fuel to burn brighter.

Meanwhile, Evelyn and Nathaniel left the hospital together.

Her gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window. Oddly enough, her emotions were eerily calm.

The hour-long drive was silent, the tension thick between them. Only when the car pulled up outside the courthouse did the stillness break.

Evelyn lifted her eyes to the imposing building. It felt like just yesterday she had stood here, full of naive hope.

So much had changed in a single month.

Nathaniel stepped beside her, his voice low. "Evelyn… are you sure about this?"

She turned to look at him. Even now, under the weight of everything, he was devastatingly handsome. The moment he stepped out of the car, heads had turned, whispers following in his wake.

"Why do you ask?" Her response was cool, measured.

Before he could answer, her phone rang.

Julian’s name flashed on the screen. She answered. "Hello?"

"Evelyn, I finished work early. I can pick you up from campus."

"I’m not at campus," she said quickly.

"Where are you, then?"

"At the courthouse with Nathaniel. We’re finalizing the divorce."

A beat of silence. Then, Julian’s voice brightened. "Alright. I’ll meet you there."

The call ended, and she met Nathaniel’s gaze. "Let’s go."

Something unreadable flickered in his eyes. "That was Julian, wasn’t it?"

"Yes. He’s picking me up afterward." She didn’t see the need to lie.

His expression darkened, and for a moment, she wondered—what had he been about to say before the call interrupted them?