Chapter 86

The sun cast long shadows across the hardwood floor as Evelyn paced the length of the study. Her fingers clenched around the edge of the desk, knuckles white.

She had been careless.

The bottle—the one she thought she'd lost—had somehow ended up in Nathaniel's possession.

No wonder he had asked her yesterday if she was pregnant. His sharp eyes missed nothing. He must have assumed she wanted the divorce because of it.

Evelyn exhaled sharply.

He didn’t know.

He couldn’t know.

After all, even Beatrice had mistaken her hospital visit for prenatal preparations. No one suspected the truth.

But Nathaniel wasn’t just anyone.

She swallowed hard as the door swung open.

He strode in, the familiar bottle dangling between his fingers. His gaze was dark, unreadable.

“Explain.”

Her pulse spiked.

She forced a scoff. “Who said I was preparing for pregnancy? That’s not folic acid. Just vitamins.”

His lips curled. “That’s the best you could come up with?”

“Test it if you don’t believe me.”

A beat of silence.

Then he tossed the bottle to Robert, who caught it smoothly. Nathaniel took a seat beside her, his presence suffocating.

“Fine. Let’s settle this now.”

Evelyn stiffened.

She had nowhere to run.

So she sat, chin lifted. There was nothing to fear. The pills were vitamins.

Minutes later, Robert returned.

“Mr. Whitmore, they’re vitamins. Not folic acid.”

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened.

He snatched the bottle back, eyes narrowing. “Then why the charade? Who are you trying to fool?”

Evelyn’s fingers twitched.

She yanked it from his grasp. “That’s none of your business.”

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist. “Careful, Evelyn.”

She jerked free. “Excuse me.”

She turned to leave, but he blocked her path.

“Not yet.” His voice was low, dangerous. “Why use a folic acid bottle for vitamins?”

“Because I wanted to.”

His eyes flashed.

Before she could react, she felt the edge of the table press into her back. She braced her hands against it, ready to vault over—

Then froze.

Her skirt.

The hem had ridden up dangerously high.

Nathaniel’s grip on her thigh tightened. His voice was a growl. “Get. Down.”

Her face burned. “Let go!”

His other hand caged her in. He leaned closer, breath hot against her ear. “Do you like being watched?”

She stilled.

His thumb traced circles on her bare skin, sending shivers down her spine.

Too close.

Too warm.

She couldn’t breathe.