Chapter 91

Tyler Laurier slammed his office door shut. He pulled out his phone and jabbed at the screen with sharp, angry taps.

"Mr. White, I accept your proposal," he muttered in a low voice. "Meet me at the usual place at eight tonight."

After hanging up, Tyler glared at the photo of Evelyn Sullivan on his desk. His expression darkened as he flipped it face down, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"You left me no choice."

As night fell, Evelyn pushed open the villa door to find Ethan Sullivan sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, reviewing documents. The warm glow of the lamp outlined the sharp angles of his profile.

"Dinner's on the table," he said without looking up.

Evelyn strode over and dropped her bag heavily onto the coffee table. "Ethan, was last night intentional?"

Ethan closed the file and met her gaze. "What?"

"You could've showered by yourself," she said, her ears burning. "Why did you—"

"Isn't that normal between married couples?" A faint smirk played on his lips. "Or is Mrs. Sullivan feeling shy?"

She turned on her heel. "Don't even think about it again!"

Dinner passed in silence. Evelyn carried a fruit platter to the couch and deliberately turned up the volume on the TV.

Ethan set down his pen and rubbed his temples. "You actually watch these ridiculous dramas?"

"If you don't like it, go upstairs." She popped a grape into her mouth.

The doorbell rang.

Evelyn opened the door to find Lucas Laurier and Ryan Paisley standing there, their suits still carrying the chill from the airport.

"Evelyn?" Lucas raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is Ethan home?"

She stepped aside. "In the living room."

As she moved to the kitchen to prepare tea, she caught Lucas's urgent voice: "What happened to your leg? What did the doctor say?"

"It's done for." Ethan's tone was as calm as discussing the weather.

The teacups clinked softly on the tray. Evelyn glanced down, watching her reflection tremble in the tea.

"If it was treatable last time, it can be fixed now too!" Ryan's voice rose suddenly. "Should we contact New Moon again—"

"No need."

When Evelyn returned with the tea set, the living room fell silent. She set down the cups. "Take your time."

She headed upstairs but paused at the landing when she heard Lucas press, "Ethan, something's off. You weren't like this last time."

Ethan's voice carried a weariness she'd never heard before: "This time is different."

Evelyn froze at the turn of the staircase. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a sharp line between light and shadow at her feet. Standing at the threshold, her heartbeat roared in her ears.