Chapter 253

Evelyn noticed Nathan still hovering by her bedside. She met his gaze steadily. "You don't have to stay," she said, her voice softer than she intended. "Your work won't wait." But Nathan only studied her with those unreadable dark eyes.

A sigh escaped her lips. "Really, it's fine," Evelyn continued, adjusting the blanket over her lap. "If your father asks, I'll tell him I insisted you leave. He won't blame you."

Nathan's jaw tightened visibly at her words.

Wasn't this what he wanted? Then why did her dismissal sting so much?

After a tense silence, Nathan turned on his heel and left without another word.

Evelyn watched the door close behind him, her fingers tracing the edge of the soup bowl absently. The rich aroma of chicken broth filled the air, but it suddenly seemed unappetizing.

She forced herself to finish the meal anyway. Thirty minutes later, she swallowed her medication with practiced efficiency before calling the hospital administrator. "I won't be coming in today," she said, her voice carefully neutral.

Sleep claimed her almost immediately after her head hit the pillow.

Nathan found himself standing outside their townhouse at precisely 12:17 PM. He couldn't explain why he'd raced back during lunch hour, cutting two important meetings short.

What was he doing here?

"Mr. Black!" Winston exclaimed as Nathan entered the foyer. The older man's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "We weren't expecting you until evening." Then understanding dawned, and a knowing smile curved his lips. "Ah, checking on Mrs. Black? She's resting comfortably. Had lunch and took her medicine like clockwork."

Nathan's shoulders stiffened. "I came for some documents," he said brusquely, already taking the stairs two at a time before Winston could respond.

The butler chuckled quietly to himself. As if the CEO of Black Industries needed to retrieve his own files. The man was transparent as glass when it came to his wife.

Nathan's gaze swept the empty bedroom the moment he entered. The perfectly made bed looked untouched since morning. A frown creased his forehead as he turned toward the ensuite bathroom—

CRASH!

The sound of shattering glass sent his heart into overdrive.

Nathan was across the room in three strides, his pulse roaring in his ears. The noise had come from behind the bathroom door.

He wrenched it open with enough force to rattle the hinges—