Chapter 247
The moment Beatrice Harrington spoke, Evelyn Carter was struck by the same unsettling thought.
Wasn't today supposed to be Nathaniel Whitmore's engagement?
His comment to Penelope Whitmore—calling Evelyn her sister—left her utterly confused. Had he lost his mind?
Couldn't he see how close Victoria Sinclair was to tears?
Dressed in a pristine white gown, Victoria looked every bit the blushing bride, ethereal and radiant. Was Nathaniel blind to her beauty?
As Evelyn's thoughts spiraled, she noticed Nathaniel striding toward her. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, her neck straining from the effort.
Good Lord, he was tall.
Nathaniel stopped in front of her, his sharp eyes locked onto hers.
Evelyn shifted uncomfortably under his intense scrutiny.
What was wrong with him?
Why was he staring at her like that?
Beatrice, relentless as ever, pressed on. "Nathaniel, are you going to answer my question?"
Nathaniel's brows furrowed in irritation. "Why would any other woman matter to me?"
"Nathaniel!"
Victoria lifted her veil, her voice trembling. "Nathaniel, today is our engagement. Have you forgotten?"
Nathaniel's lips pressed into a thin, cold line.
Evelyn stole a glance at Victoria, a pang of recognition hitting her. She, too, had once been dismissed so carelessly by Nathaniel.
Clearing her throat, Evelyn spoke up. "Mr. Whitmore, your fiancée—Ms. Sinclair—is speaking to you. Can't you hear her?"
Nathaniel scowled. "She's not my fiancée."
Evelyn scoffed. "You don't owe me an explanation. I was the one who designed this engagement venue, after all. May the two of you have a lifetime of happiness."
She took a deliberate step back. "Oh, and don’t forget—once Grandma Eleanor’s surgery is over at the end of the month, we still have that courthouse appointment. It’s long overdue."
Without another word, Evelyn turned and walked away. She had no intention of staying a second longer.
Nathaniel watched her retreating figure, frustration knotting in his chest. He didn’t know how to make her stay.
"Nathaniel, why are you so concerned about Evelyn? Today is your engagement!" Beatrice snapped.
She wanted Evelyn gone—far away from Nathaniel’s thoughts.
Nathaniel stood frozen for a moment before finally turning to Victoria, his gaze icy.
Victoria had been smiling, but as his eyes met hers, her expression stiffened. "Nathaniel, you look upset. What’s wrong?"
"Nathaniel, how dare you look unhappy?" Beatrice interjected. "Victoria waited for you all this time, and she didn’t even—"
Nathaniel cut her off, his voice sharp. "Let me ask you again, Victoria. Did you convince Julian to perform the surgery on Grandma?"
Victoria’s face paled. "Of course it was me. Who else could have done it?"
For a fleeting second, doubt flickered in her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
She was a Sinclair. Why wouldn’t Julian agree to the surgery for her sake?
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened as he recalled Evelyn’s earlier words. She hadn’t protested, hadn’t fought—just reminded him of their pending divorce.
Evelyn was ruthless.
Straightening his tie, Nathaniel delivered his verdict. "The engagement is off."
Victoria’s face drained of color. "W-What? Why?"
Beatrice gasped. "Nathaniel, you can’t just call it off!"