Chapter 46

She focused intently on the lecture, taking meticulous notes. He focused intently on watching her.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her profile. Her eyelashes cast delicate shadows across her cheeks.

Nathan Evans was momentarily transported to the past.

Back then, she had been just as diligent—except her gaze would frequently drift toward him, her eyes sparkling like starlight.

Now she wouldn't even spare him a glance.

"What are you thinking about?" Chloe Valentine's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

Nathan averted his eyes. "Business matters. Don't come to the office these next few days."

Chloe's smile froze.

The moment she stepped out of the villa, she dialed Julian Roscente's number.

"Julian, Nathan seems upset lately. Is it about the hospital—"

"Evelyn? She only brought him congee twice." Julian hung up abruptly.

Chloe clenched her phone, her nails digging crescent moons into her palm.

The next day at the library.

"Stay away from Nathan Evans!" Chloe loomed over Evelyn Langley, who was reviewing her notes.

Evelyn didn't look up. "Relax. I have zero interest in him."

That evening.

Ryan Clementson beamed at Evelyn's unexpected invitation. "Cooking together again? Fantastic!"

Their laughter echoed as they walked down the narrow alley.

A black Maybach screeched to a halt at the alley's entrance.

Nathan's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as he tracked their retreating figures.

Moss-covered walls, peeling paint, the damp scent of mildew hanging thick in the air.

Dylan Lowell's words echoed in his mind: "The place she lives... it's terrible."

His chest constricted painfully.

Silently, he followed them into the shadows.