Chapter 213

Nathan Blackwood couldn't comprehend how his lost ring had ended up in Evelyn Sinclair's possession. Her gaze flickered briefly, betraying her reluctance to answer the question.

She had no desire to engage with Nathan any longer than necessary.

With a dismissive tone, she finally spoke.

"I assumed you already knew. Vanessa Holloway returned it to me one morning."

"She claimed you were drunk the night before and spent it at her place. You carelessly discarded the ring, so she took it upon herself to return it to me."

Evelyn would never forget that moment—the first time she had truly despaired over their marriage. The memory still carried the weight of her sorrow, anger, and helplessness.

Thankfully, she had moved past that darkness.

Now, as she studied the flicker of confusion and pain in Nathan's eyes, she scoffed inwardly.

How foolish of me to think he could ever feel anything for me.

Even if he did experience pain, it certainly wasn't because of her.

Her expression remained icy as she regarded him.

"Mr. Blackwood, you must have despised me three years ago. My gift was nothing but a burden to you. There's no need for me to return it now."

The words tasted bitter on her tongue.

"No." His voice was low, barely audible.

The emotions in his eyes fractured slightly, his body tense, the air around him turning frigid.

Nathan couldn't recall ever spending a drunken night at Vanessa Holloway's place.

This never happened.

Vanessa had lied.

A surge of fury burned through him.

That deceitful woman. I should never have shown her any kindness.

His jaw tightened as he spoke urgently.

"She's lying. I never stayed at her place. I never sought her out after drinking."

Panic clawed at him, but Evelyn only smiled faintly, indifferent.

"Is that so?"

Her disbelief was evident, though she had no interest in pursuing the matter.

The truth no longer mattered.

She didn’t care about what had—or hadn’t—happened between them back then.

Nathan’s next words lodged in his throat.

She didn’t want his explanations.

"I know you hate me," he murmured, his gaze heavy. "If there’s any way I can make it up to you, I will."

He wanted to say more, but the words wouldn’t come.

Evelyn’s lips curled in a cold, detached smile.

His words meant nothing to her.

"Your agreement to my terms is compensation enough. Once this project is finished, we’ll be even."

They would never owe each other anything again.

Without waiting for his response, she pressed the intercom.

"Bennett, please escort Mr. Blackwood out."

"Yes, Ms. Sinclair."

Her assistant arrived within seconds, knocking politely before entering.

The tension in the room was palpable, but Bennett remained professional.

"Mr. Blackwood, this way."

After Nathan left, Evelyn sat in silence, absorbing the lingering traces of his presence.

She had finally drawn a line between herself and the past she had once longed for.

Unrequited love was a lesson she had learned the hard way.

No amount of heartache would change the fact that he had never loved her.

Nathan Blackwood would never love Evelyn Sinclair.

She picked up the ring from the bronze tree branch and walked to the window.

Without hesitation, she drew back her hand—and let it fall.