Chapter 394

Evelyn's lips curved into a faint smile as she nodded. "Alright."

Stepping out of the car, she made her way into the mansion. Leonard sat in the grand parlor, his reading glasses perched on his nose as he scanned the financial section of the newspaper. His silver eyebrows shot up when he noticed Evelyn's unexpected return.

Before he could utter a word, Evelyn spoke first. "Leonard, may we talk?"

The gravity in her tone and the shadows beneath her eyes sent an icy premonition down Leonard's spine.

The study's mahogany doors clicked shut behind them. Evelyn sank into the leather armchair, her fingers brushing against the signed divorce papers laid out on the desk. Leonard's breath hitched when his gaze landed on the documents. His weathered hands trembled slightly as they gripped the armrests.

"Evelyn... you and Nathan..." His voice cracked like dry parchment.

The confirmation hung heavy between them. He'd always feared this day would come, yet part of him had clung to the hope that their bond might survive.

Evelyn pressed her lips together before answering. "I'm sorry, Leonard. I know this isn't what you wanted for us." She traced the edge of the document with one manicured nail. "Some stories aren't meant to have happy endings."

"Is Serena the reason?" Leonard's knuckles turned white.

"Serena was merely the catalyst." Evelyn met his gaze steadily. "The truth is, Nathan never loved me. Not truly. And that..." Her voice wavered for the first time. "That's something no amount of time can fix."

Leonard opened his mouth, then closed it. He'd witnessed the stolen glances, the unconscious ways Nathan would reach for Evelyn when he thought no one was looking. But perhaps those fleeting moments hadn't been enough to build a lifetime upon.

"Is there truly no other way?" The plea in his voice made Evelyn's chest tighten.

She shook her head slowly. "We've danced this waltz too many times, Leonard. Each repetition only leaves us more bruised." A weary sigh escaped her. "Sometimes the kindest cut is the cleanest."

Her eyes, usually so vibrant, looked dull with exhaustion. "I need to breathe. To remember who I was before I became Nathan's wife."

Leonard felt something inside him splinter. How had he never noticed how much of herself she'd sacrificed? The realization struck him like a physical blow - his daughter-in-law had been drowning in silence for years.

"My dear girl," he murmured, reaching across to squeeze her hand. "You've carried this burden alone for far too long."

"Leonard." Evelyn turned her palm to clasp his fingers, her engagement ring catching the light. "You'll always be family to me. I promise to visit whenever I can."

"Of course!" Leonard nodded vigorously, his eyes suspiciously bright. "And when you find that lucky man who deserves you - because mark my words, you will - bring him straight to me." His voice thickened. "Nathan was a fool to let you go."

A genuine smile touched Evelyn's lips for the first time that evening. "I'll hold you to that." She arched one perfectly shaped brow. "And if you happen to meet any eligible bachelors..."

"Consider it done!" Leonard's answering grin didn't quite reach his eyes. He'd make it his personal mission to find someone worthy of her - someone who'd cherish Evelyn the way his son never had.