Chapter 377

After a brief silence, Theodore leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Do you think she's planning to leave you after Leonard's birthday celebration? That would explain why she's still keeping your marriage a secret."

Nathan's entire body tensed, his knuckles turning white around his champagne flute.

Theodore's words cut deeper than he cared to admit.

Yet the painful truth remained - his theory made perfect sense.

Drawing a steadying breath, Nathan forced his features into practiced indifference. "Isn't that ideal? It's exactly what I've wanted all along."

Theodore arched an eyebrow, studying Nathan's carefully constructed mask. "Are you certain that's truly what you want?"

A muscle twitched in Nathan's jaw before he ground out, "Absolutely."

Theodore's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Nathan, if you can't bear to let her go, stop this ridiculous charade. Show Evelyn some vulnerability for once. I guarantee it would make her reconsider this divorce nonsense."

His gaze drifted across the ballroom where Evelyn stood conversing with Ethan.

Ethan said something that made Evelyn laugh, then reached out to affectionately tweak her nose.

Though the intimate gesture would have infuriated Nathan under normal circumstances, Evelyn merely rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, making no move to pull away.

Theodore nudged Nathan's shoulder. "You realize if you let her slip away now, you'll regret it forever. The entire social circuit is buzzing about Evelyn and Ethan. Rumor has it he treats her like a queen. And since neither of them are attached..." He let the implication hang in the air. "You might want to reconsider your stance."

Nathan watched as Ethan whispered something in Evelyn's ear that made her throw her head back in genuine laughter.

Ice flooded his veins, followed by a surge of possessive fury.

He forced a derisive scoff. "Why would I care who she chooses? It's no concern of mine."

Nathan tried to convince himself this was true.

The anger coiling in his gut was merely residual guilt - guilt over nearly letting her drown that day at the pool.

Her eagerness to dissolve their marriage should be cause for celebration. So why did the thought make his chest constrict painfully?

Theodore studied Nathan's stormy expression as he glared at Evelyn, recognizing the lie for what it was.

Shaking his head, Theodore decided to drop the subject.

Nathan was being stubbornly blind. He'd realize his mistake when it was too late.