Chapter 91

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. "What's your condition?"

"Nat, you know my feelings for you. Everyone does—even my three brothers."

Victoria swallowed hard before continuing. "But Julian is furious you married someone else three years ago. He refuses to let me associate with you anymore."

She took a deep breath. "The only reason he agreed to treat your grandmother was because I begged him. I told him I love you and want to stay by your side."

Her fingers tightened around her purse strap. "Julian set a condition. He wants you to marry me. Only then will he operate on your grandmother."

Nathaniel's pen stilled in his fingers. His expression darkened as he processed her words. "Your brother doesn’t care that I’m already married?"

"He doesn’t." Victoria lifted her chin. "He only proposed this because I wouldn’t stop pleading. If you agree, he’ll perform the surgery as soon as he returns from his business trip. Your grandmother will be safe."

She studied his face, but his expression remained unreadable.

Doubt crept into her chest, but she pushed it down. She couldn’t back out now.

She refused to lose to someone like Evelyn—a nobody from the slums.

Victoria had always gotten what she wanted. This would be no different.

Silence stretched between them.

Nathaniel stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to her.

She watched him, heart pounding. "Nat, I don’t want to force you. But your grandmother doesn’t have much time left."

She hesitated. "I know you don’t love me. We can pretend—just to convince Julian. Once the surgery is done, we can end things."

Nathaniel didn’t turn around. "I need time to think."

"Of course." She forced a smile. "I’ll leave you to it."

The moment the office door closed behind her, Victoria’s smile vanished.

If not for Evelyn’s scheming, Nathaniel would have signed the divorce papers long ago.

But she still had one last card to play.

Nathaniel had married Evelyn—a penniless nobody—to save his grandmother. She was certain he would choose his grandmother over pride.

Once they were engaged, she would make sure Evelyn never came between them again.

As the elevator descended, she dialed Julian. To her surprise, he answered.

"Julian! Finally!"

"What do you want?" His voice was clipped.

"When will you be back from your trip?"

"Unclear. Why?"

"You know why." She bit her lip. "Nathaniel’s grandmother needs surgery. She’s old, frail—you’re a doctor. Shouldn’t you save her?"

Julian’s reply was ice-cold. "No."

He would operate on anyone—except Nathaniel’s family. The Whitmores had forced Evelyn into servitude, then demanded Victoria marry Nathaniel to wake him from his coma.

He despised them.

"What do you mean, no?" Panic spiked through her. She had just promised Nathaniel that Julian would do it.

What was she supposed to tell him now?