Chapter 478

The initial shock gave way to a searing pain that contorted her delicate features. What had Nathan just confessed? That he'd fallen for Evelyn Hartley? How was that possible? When had these feelings developed? And what did that make Serena? Where did she stand in his heart now?

"Nathan, this has to be some cruel joke! Tell me you're lying!" Serena's voice cracked, her face twisted in anguish.

Nathan remained eerily composed.

His gaze met hers steadily, voice low but unshakable. "I would never joke about something this important."

Last night's events flashed through his mind - catching Morse slipping something into Evelyn's drink had unleashed a primal rage he'd never experienced. The mere thought of what might have happened if he hadn't intervened made his blood run cold. If Evelyn had actually consumed that tainted cocktail...

The memory ignited fresh fury. In that moment, he'd recognized an undeniable truth - the idea of Evelyn with anyone else was unbearable. That's when he'd finally admitted it to himself: he was irrevocably in love with her.

"No!" Serena shook her head violently, tears welling in her eyes. "I refuse to believe this! You're lying to me!"

She lunged forward, grasping Nathan's hands desperately. "Nathan, you've always loved me! We were going to get married! You can't just take that back! This isn't happening - it can't be!"

Gently but firmly, Nathan extracted his hands from her grip, a shadow of guilt crossing his features. "Serena," he said softly, "I know I broke my promise, and for that, I'm truly sorry. But I can't marry you now. If there's anything I can do to make this right..."

"I don't want your damn compensation!" Serena screamed, her voice raw with despair. Tears cascaded down her cheeks like a broken dam.

Nathan watched her breakdown with detached calm. He acknowledged his guilt for breaking their engagement, but that was the extent of his emotions toward Serena now. His only obligation was finding some way to make amends.

"How could you do this to me? How can you just throw away everything we had?" Serena sobbed, her entire body trembling with grief.

The pain was so overwhelming she felt numb, as if the world had drained of all color and meaning.

How had things come to this? When had Nathan developed feelings for Evelyn Hartley of all people?

Abruptly, Nathan rose from his chair. "I have matters to attend to," he stated coolly. It was clear Serena needed time alone to process everything.

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and strode from the room.