Chapter 3

Nathan's eyes darkened, his expression stormy as he barked, "Evelyn! What the hell are you doing?"

His voice was ice-cold.

He arrived fast. Was he really that afraid I'd hurt Vanessa?

Evelyn scoffed inwardly.

Vanessa pouted, her face twisting into panic. Tears welled in her eyes as she cradled her cheek, looking past Evelyn. "I didn't do anything, Evelyn! You've got it all wrong!"

Is she insane? Hitting me right in front of Nathan?

Evelyn smirked.

"Drop the act. I know it was you."

With a chilling glare, she strode forward, pulling a printed photo of Nathan from her bag and flinging it onto the bed between them.

Nathan's gaze flickered to the image—confusion, then shock.

Vanessa's face drained of color.

He'd been exhausted yesterday after a long day. When he visited Vanessa at the hospital, he'd dozed off briefly. Clearly, this photo had been taken then.

The only other person in that room? Vanessa Holloway.

Nathan didn't need it spelled out. Vanessa had tried to twist the knife in Evelyn's heart—but she'd miscalculated.

How could she keep playing the meek, pitiful victim now?

Before, Evelyn might have hesitated with Nathan watching. Not anymore.

Her lips curled into a cold smile. "I told you I came to settle debts. This is what you owe me, Vanessa. You're the homewrecker here."

She tilted her head. "Happy now? Congratulations on replacing me as Mrs. Blackwood."

Nathan could easily guess how Evelyn had gotten the photo. The realization left him oddly breathless.

His expression hardened as he studied Vanessa's sickly pallor. She trembled under his scrutiny. "Nathan, Evelyn must have misunderstood! I didn't take that photo!"

Her voice cracked. "She probably staged this to frame me!"

Nathan's brow furrowed as Vanessa clutched his sleeve, tears spilling. "I'll apologize to Evelyn. If my needing her blood causes problems between you two, I won't ask again. I swear on Theodore's name—I had nothing to do with that photo!"

At the mention of Theodore, Nathan's jaw tightened. His best friend's dying wish flashed through his mind. Some of the storm in his eyes faded.

"Evelyn shouldn't have hit you." His voice was clipped. "Do you need a doctor?"

Vanessa shook her head, still cradling her stinging cheek. "It's fine."

Nathan nodded, then turned to Evelyn. She stood there, arms crossed, lips twisted in mocking amusement. The sight of her indifference sent an unfamiliar pang through him.

"You asked for a divorce because of this?" He exhaled sharply. "Never mind. Get the blood drawn first."

He wanted to explain, but not here—not with witnesses.

A meaningless photo paled in comparison to Vanessa's health. He'd clarify things with Evelyn later.

Relief flooded Vanessa. He still chose me. Evelyn lost again.

Evelyn had expected this. Vanessa was a master manipulator, and frankly, Evelyn was done playing her games.

She turned to the hovering doctor. "Are you certain she needs a transfusion?"

The doctor stiffened. Under Nathan's piercing stare, he nodded hastily. "Yes. Ms. Holloway's fall caused significant blood loss. It's urgent."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Nathan snapped.

"Right away, sir." The doctor scurried off.

Vanessa shot Evelyn a smug smirk—visible only to her.

"Wait."

Evelyn didn't follow the doctor. Instead, she stepped forward and yanked Vanessa's blanket away in one swift motion.