Chapter 496

"I simply wish to share a meal with you," Nathan murmured, his deep voice husky with emotion as he carried Evelyn toward the dining table.

"I refuse to eat! Release me this instant!" Evelyn struggled violently in his arms, her voice sharp with defiance.

Nathan carefully deposited her onto a chair, his strong hands gripping her shoulders firmly. "You will dine with me tonight, whether you wish to or not," he declared.

"Is that so?" Evelyn let out a bitter laugh. "And what precisely will you do if I continue to refuse, Mr. Black? What's your brilliant plan then?"

"Then I shall feed you myself!" Nathan's gaze turned dangerous, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Evelyn stared at him, utterly speechless.

Had this man completely lost his senses?

Releasing her shoulders, Nathan's expression softened unexpectedly. His eyes held a quiet vulnerability as he spoke in a gentler tone. "Evelyn, can we have one proper conversation?"

When Evelyn saw the raw sincerity in his gaze, something twisted painfully in her chest - an uncomfortable mix of frustration and another emotion she refused to name.

After a tense pause, she steadied her breathing. "What exactly do you wish to discuss?"

"Our future together," Nathan stated with deliberate emphasis.

Evelyn's head snapped up, her eyes locking with his. The intensity in his stare made her pulse quicken, an electric tension crackling between them.

She quickly averted her gaze, forcing a dry chuckle. "There is no future for us, Nathan."

"If you desire it, there can be," he countered without hesitation.

"Well, I don't!" Evelyn fired back immediately.

Nathan's eyes darkened, a flash of pain crossing his features before he masked it. The swiftness of her rejection struck him like a physical blow.

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a serious timbre. "Evelyn, tell me truthfully - what are you afraid of?" Before she could respond, he continued, "Is this about Serena? I've already ended things with her completely. I made it abundantly clear that you're the only one I want, which is why I've called off our engagement."

Evelyn had heard similar words from Nathan before, yet they still sent an unwanted jolt through her heart despite her best efforts to remain unaffected.

Now she understood why Serena had stormed into the Cardiology Department that day, eyes blazing with fury, ready for confrontation.

Shaking off the memory, Evelyn pressed her lips together tightly. "That's between you and Serena. It has nothing to do with me."

Nathan shook his head vehemently. "It has everything to do with you! You have feelings for me, and I'm deeply in love with you! We—"