Chapter 7

Nathan Evans paused for a few seconds when his gaze landed on Evelyn Langley.

Her signature wavy curls were gone, replaced by straight black hair. The burgundy highlights he once adored had been dyed back to pure black.

No makeup—not even the most basic foundation.

A plain white T-shirt, jeans, and flats.

Only her eyes remained, brighter and more vivid than before, showing no trace of heartbreak.

If this was an act, she was terrifyingly convincing.

So convincing it inexplicably pissed him off.

Evelyn noticed the shift in his expression and frowned. She knew that look too well—the calm before the storm.

"Hah," Nathan sneered. "After all these years by my side, your taste is still this bad? You’d stoop to any random guy? What does that say about me, your ex?"

"Your reputation?" Evelyn let out a soft laugh, a flicker of bitterness in her eyes.

Nathan missed it.

All he could picture was Evelyn smiling at another man, and the thought made his blood boil.

He chalked it up to primal male possessiveness.

Even something he’d discarded wasn’t up for grabs.

"I have things to do. I should go." Evelyn turned to leave.

"Go?" Nathan mocked. "Where else would you go besides Sophia Laurent’s place? At least you’ve learned to take your documents this time. What, is this for real now?"

The words stung.

She should’ve been used to his cruelty, yet it still hurt every time.

Did he really think she was just throwing a tantrum?

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn replied calmly, "First, Mr. Laurent and I are just friends. Second, we’re broken up. Your opinion doesn’t matter to me anymore."

Right on cue, her ride arrived.

"Drive, please," she said quickly, slipping into the car.

Nathan watched the taxi disappear, his expression dark.

Three months ago, she’d pulled the same move during their fight.

Now she’d brought a man to provoke him? Who gave her the audacity?

"Nathan~" Lily Anderson cooed, pressing against him. "Why’d you leave me like that?"

The overpowering perfume made him grimace, but he didn’t push her away. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist. "What? Want to come with me?"

If she could parade a man around, why couldn’t he?

In the car—

Evelyn glanced in the rearview mirror at the intimate pair, her lips curling into a self-deprecating smile.

So it wasn’t just Chloe Valentine...

Six years of her youth, wasted.

Then, in the mirror, Nathan abruptly shoved Lily aside and walked off without a backward glance.

"Nathan Evans! Stop right there!" Lily stomped her foot in frustration.

The moment Nathan got into his car, he dialed Isabella Evans.

"Bro? Aren’t you on a date?"

"Did you tell Evelyn about today?" Nathan seethed. "Mom forces me into this blind date, and instead of covering for me, you tip her off so she can bring some guy to piss me off? Are you out of your mind?"

Isabella was baffled. "What are you talking about? When did I—"

The call ended abruptly.

Isabella stared at her phone, bewildered. "What did I do?"

The butler approached with a gift list. "Miss, are these sufficient?"

She skimmed it. "These are for Professor Eleanor Roland. Make sure everything’s perfect."

......

"Miss Langley, this is hands down the best rental near Harvard! Great lighting, quiet neighborhood—there’s a waiting list!" The agent gushed.

Evelyn inspected the two-bedroom apartment.

Old building. No elevator. Dated decor.

But it was close to campus, near the library, and convenient.

Most importantly, it was flooded with sunlight.

"I’ll take it." She signed a one-year lease without hesitation.

Back at Sophia’s place, her suitcase lay open on the floor.

"Moving out?" Sophia arched a brow.

"Yeah, found a place." Evelyn continued packing.

Sophia smirked. "Nathan tracked you down? A whole week this time—progress! Serves those arrogant men right..."

Evelyn stopped and met her friend’s gaze. "Vivi, this is it. I’m not going back."

Sophia froze. This time, she believed her.

For six years, she’d watched Evelyn sand herself down for Nathan, dimming her own light.

"Good riddance! Should’ve done this ages ago! Decent men aren’t that hard to find!"

"Yeah." Evelyn nodded.

"You’re... not gonna change your mind in two days, right?" Sophia eyed her skeptically.

Evelyn laughed.

Before moving, she stopped by the hardware store for eco-friendly paint.

The old apartment’s walls were peeling, the furniture worn.

A fresh coat of paint might help her start fresh.

"Thanks, sir." The cab driver helped unload the cans.

Evelyn craned her neck to look up at the seventh floor and took a deep breath.

Trip after trip, she hauled the paint upstairs, panting by the end.

After a short break and a splash of water on her face, she picked up a brush and eyed the wall.

Rolling up her sleeves, she got to work.