Chapter 80

Nathaniel's piercing gaze intensified as it locked onto Evelyn. There was something hauntingly familiar yet unsettlingly foreign about her presence. A storm of conflicting emotions swirled in his steel-gray eyes.

The private dining room grew thick with unspoken tension as the trio settled into their seats.

Nathaniel's phone buzzed with the notification of Evelyn's morning text. The simple question about his availability tomorrow glowed on his screen.

His reply was characteristically brief: "Yes."

Evelyn's phone illuminated the table. Thinking it might be Julian or Daniel arriving, she reached for it instinctively. Her hand hovered midair when realization struck.

Her eyes flickered toward Nathaniel across the table. Was he responding to her message now?

With practiced nonchalance, Nathaniel set his phone aside, his expression giving nothing away. The perfect picture of indifference, as if he hadn't just confirmed their meeting.

Evelyn's brows knitted in confusion. The man remained an enigma wrapped in Armani.

All she'd asked was about finalizing their divorce. Yet his demeanor suggested something far more complicated between them.

Victoria placed the menu down with deliberate grace. "Ms. Carter, where is your companion?"

"He should be here shortly." Evelyn's fingers tapped restlessly against her phone. Julian and Daniel had texted they were en route, but downtown traffic was particularly brutal tonight.

An oppressive silence settled over the table until Victoria broke it. "Nathaniel, I spoke with my brother. He's currently with Doctors Without Borders overseas, but I'll arrange for him to come to Nord City immediately."

Nathaniel gave a curt nod. "Good."

His attention shifted to Evelyn, who seemed engrossed in her phone. The way her fingers flew across the screen suggested an urgent conversation.

Evelyn felt the weight of Victoria's not-so-subtle hint about Eleanor's surgery. But tomorrow would settle everything between her and Nathaniel once and for all.

The door swung open abruptly.

"Evelyn, apologies for the delay." Daniel Montgomery stepped through, his sculpted features flushed from rushing. The delicate pastry box in his hands released a tantalizing aroma.

Evelyn's face lit up as she rose to greet him. "No worries. Rush hour traffic is always unpredictable."

"I wasn't sure which flavor you'd prefer, so I went with their signature." Daniel presented the box with a flourish.

Evelyn's mouth watered involuntarily. Pregnancy had turned her into an absolute fiend for sweets. "How did you know I've been craving this exact cake?"

"I saw your Instagram story last week." Daniel's smile crinkled the corners of his hazel eyes.

As Evelyn accepted the gift with genuine delight, Nathaniel's jaw clenched so tightly a muscle jumped in his cheek. That man. Again.

Victoria observed the exchange with thinly veiled interest. "How... thoughtful of you."

Evelyn set the cake aside with a careless shrug. "I have six brothers. Thoughtfulness comes standard."

Daniel settled beside Evelyn, his gaze briefly locking with Nathaniel's before he deliberately focused on peeling an orange. "You need the vitamin C. It'll help with that pregnancy glow."

Evelyn's fingers absently touched her cheek. "Is my skin looking dull? I've had to cut back on most skincare products lately."

Daniel's knuckles brushed her jawline as he examined her face. "You're radiant as always."

Evelyn could feel Nathaniel's glare burning into her, but she kept her attention firmly on the citrus fruit being sectioned for her.

Daniel's presence did little to ease the stifling atmosphere. If anything, the tension grew more palpable with each passing minute.

Just as Evelyn thought the evening couldn't get more uncomfortable, her phone screen lit up. Julian must have finally arrived.