Chapter 245

Nathan arrived moments later, his strides quick and purposeful, halting abruptly at the sight before him.

Evelyn knelt on the rain-slicked pavement, her face a mask of fierce concentration. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead despite the cool drizzle, her hands moving with unyielding precision as she performed CPR. Every compression was deliberate, every breath she gave measured—her entire being focused on saving a life.

When the chest compressions alone didn’t yield results, Evelyn pinched Clara’s nose and leaned down, sealing her lips over the woman’s to deliver rescue breaths. She alternated between breaths and compressions, relentless, refusing to falter even as exhaustion threatened to creep in.

Watching her, Nathan felt something stir in his chest—admiration, yes, but something warmer, something deeper. The sheer determination in Evelyn’s every movement, the way she poured every ounce of herself into saving a stranger, left him breathless.

Nearby, the man who had called for help stood rigid, his expression taut with worry as he watched Evelyn’s tireless efforts. Recognition flickered in his eyes when he glanced at Nathan, his pupils contracting slightly.

Nathan Black.

And if Nathan was here, then the woman kneeling on the ground, refusing to give up—

His gaze snapped back to Evelyn, realization dawning.

Evelyn Hartley.

A tangled knot of emotions twisted inside him. Of all the ways to cross paths again, he hadn’t expected this.

Minutes stretched like hours, the tension thick in the air. Then—

Clara’s lips parted.

Evelyn froze for a heartbeat before pressing two fingers to Clara’s neck, checking for a pulse. A second later, her shoulders sagged in relief, and she exhaled shakily. "Her heartbeat’s back."

A murmur rippled through the gathered crowd, swelling into astonished whispers.

"That woman is incredible!" someone gasped, awe lacing their voice.