Chapter 164

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to stay calm. "Stop making wild guesses. I just wanted some peace and quiet. You're the one who stirred me up with your nonsense!"

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Zoe finally drawled, "Fine. Take your time. I'm going for a soak."

The dial tone sounded. Evelyn exhaled in relief.

Ethan emerged from the shadows, his handsome face dark with anger.

"Evelyn, am I really that shameful to be seen with?"

"Mr. Sullivan, mind your position." She took half a step back. "What would people think if they saw me tangled up with my ex-husband at this hour?"

His brows furrowed. "Divorced couples can't meet?"

"During the day, yes. Not in the dead of night."

He scoffed. "So Daniel Sterling can visit you openly at midnight?"

"He's a friend. It's different." She waved impatiently. "If there's nothing else, please leave."

His eyes turned icy. He grabbed her wrist. "Is this how you're going to talk to me now?"

"Let go!" She yanked her arm free. "I'll call security if you don't leave!"

Ethan fell silent.

"I have a meeting tomorrow. No time for your drama." She turned toward the door. "Don't come back."

The villa door slammed shut with enough force to make the porch light sway.

As she changed into slippers, she spotted Zoe leaning against the stair railing, arms crossed, smirking.

Evelyn's pulse jumped. "I thought you were taking a bath."

"Waiting for you to come clean." Zoe blinked. "Who was at the door? Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"What door—"

"Playing dumb?" Zoe moved toward the entrance. "He probably hasn't gone far—"

"Fine, fine! It was Ethan."

Zoe's eyes widened. "Your ex-husband? Isn't he all over Isabella? What was he doing here at this hour? Unless..."

"Stop." Evelyn rubbed her temples. "He was just passing by."

"Bullshit!" Zoe rolled her eyes. "A man shows up at his ex-wife's door at midnight. What else could it be?"

Evelyn gave a wry smile. "Maybe he was bored."

"Girl, have some self-respect."

"It's not about that." Evelyn gazed out the window at the night sky. "Three years of marriage couldn't make him look at me twice. You think divorce suddenly opened his eyes?"

Zoe hesitated.

She knew very little about the details of that marriage.

"Whatever. Out with the old, in with the new." Zoe slung an arm around her shoulders. "Tomorrow, I'm taking you to meet some fresh meat!"