Chapter 65

Nathan froze in place. "You..."

Memories of that night at the villa flashed through Evelyn's mind. She instinctively took two steps back, her eyes filled with wariness. "Stop! Don't come any closer!"

"Evelyn..." A sharp pain pierced Nathan's chest. "About that night—"

"Enough!" she cut him off. "Please leave. There's nothing left to say."

The man's eyes reddened, his body stiff. "I'm sorry... I lost control. Let's stop fighting, okay? I shouldn't have said those hurtful things..."

"I just... missed you too much..."

"Come home with me..."

"Home?" Evelyn let out a cold laugh. "To be your secret lover?"

Nathan's voice was urgent. "If you agree, I'll break up with Chloe immediately."

She shook her head. "...Impossible."

"Evelyn..." He took a step forward, but she had already turned and rushed into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.

Late into the night, the apartment finally fell silent.

She quietly pushed the door open and found Nathan slumped against the wall, asleep.

Evelyn: "..."

Dawn broke.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting faint streaks across the living room.

The figure on the couch stirred. Nathan opened his eyes, a wave of dizziness washing over him.

He rubbed his temples, taking in the small but tidy rental apartment.

Evelyn stepped out of the bedroom.

Their eyes met, and Nathan froze. "...Evelyn?"

She sat at the dining table. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

He frowned, thinking, then shook his head.

Of course...

The sober version of him would never say those things.

A bitter smile tugged at Evelyn's lips.

"You made a scene outside my door until midnight. The neighbors complained. Mr. Evans, have some self-respect."

Nathan's head throbbed, but the pain in his chest was worse.

His gaze swept over the shabby apartment before he suddenly sneered. "You think I want to be in this dump? Don’t expect me to come begging again!"

He grabbed his coat and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

At the alley entrance, he dialed Dylan. "Let’s grab a drink."

......

"Bro, you're still hung over and already hitting the bottle again?"

Dylan arrived at the bar to find Nathan drowning his sorrows alone, the stench of last night’s alcohol still clinging to him.

Nathan: "Shut up and drink."

Dylan raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine."

The bar was empty in broad daylight, making the scene awkward.

"Where are the others?"

"Julian’s getting lectured at home. Ethan’s been acting mysterious lately."

Nathan didn’t press further, downing another shot of hard liquor.

From afternoon until late at night.

Dylan called a car to haul the completely wasted Nathan back to his villa.

After settling the man, who kept murmuring "Evelyn" in his drunken stupor, Dylan sighed.

If you can’t let go, why keep torturing each other?