Chapter 25

The morning light did little to soften the exhaustion etched into Nathan's features as he left for work, dark circles shadowing his piercing gaze.

In stark contrast, Evelyn awoke feeling rejuvenated, the weight of her decision lifting with the dawn. After breakfast, she made her way to Leonard's study.

The moment she stepped inside, Leonard set aside his newspaper. "Evelyn, what brings you here?" His voice was warm but carried an undercurrent of weariness.

Settling onto the plush sofa, Evelyn met his gaze. "There's something important I need to discuss with you."

Leonard exhaled heavily, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Let me guess—this is about your divorce from Nathan."

Evelyn stiffened, caught off guard by his directness. After a beat, she nodded.

"Three years ago, before I left the country, Nathan and I agreed to end things," she admitted. "But he never showed up at the courthouse, and I... I was in too much of a hurry to push it further."

A storm of emotions flickered across Leonard's face. The revelation that their marriage had been crumbling for years visibly shook him.

"I won't allow it," he declared, his voice rough with suppressed anger.

Leaning forward, he softened his tone. "Evelyn, I saw how deeply you loved him when you married into this family. Yes, he's distant now, but people change. Do you remember how cold I was toward you at first?"

A faint smile touched Evelyn's lips.

Leonard had been the most resistant to her presence in the beginning. It had taken months of patience, of proving herself, before he'd finally accepted her as family.

She had clung to that hope—that if she loved Nathan fiercely enough, his indifference would thaw. But three years of silence had hardened her resolve.

"Leonard," she said firmly, "I've thought this through. I want the divorce."

Her unwavering certainty silenced him. After a long pause, Leonard's expression shifted, something calculating glinting in his eyes.

"Fine," he conceded. "But will you at least wait until after my birthday celebration? At my age, who knows how many more I'll have?" His voice cracked with deliberate vulnerability. "Let me have this one happy occasion."

Evelyn reached for his hand. "Don't say that. You're healthier than most men half your age!"

Leonard waved her off with a tired chuckle. "Life has a way of wearing a man down."