Chapter 83
Evelyn was completely baffled. What on earth was Nathaniel implying?
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Why? Am I correct? You can't deny it now, can you? And here I thought you were always so quick with your clever comebacks."
Evelyn tried to wrench her wrist free, but his grip was ironclad.
Fine. If he wanted to play this game, she’d humor him.
She was past caring.
Yanking his tie, she shot back, "Mr. Whitmore, I wasn’t cheating! I never asked you out."
"Then what was that text yesterday? Or have you conveniently forgotten?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "That was different."
"Different how?" His voice was laced with venom. "Go ahead, spin another lie. The rumors are everywhere. Do you think I’m stupid?"
She tilted her head, twirling his tie around her finger. "If that’s what you believe, then there’s nothing I can say to change your mind."
Nathaniel stiffened. Those were the exact words he’d once thrown at her.
His jaw clenched. "Need I remind you that you’re still a married woman? Are you so desperate to jump into another man’s arms before the ink on our divorce papers is dry? Or do you just enjoy courting scandal?"
Evelyn smirked. "Oh, thanks for the concern. But technically, it’s only cheating if it’s two people. More than that, and it’s just… a lifestyle choice, isn’t it?"
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. "Evelyn Carter, I never knew you could be this vile."
"Because we were never meant to understand each other. So, Mr. Whitmore, are you free tomorrow? Swing by the courthouse before work, won’t you?"
His grip slackened, and he stepped back as if burned.
"Is this divorce so urgent because you’re eager to start your new life with your lover?"
Evelyn straightened, meeting his glare head-on. "I don’t owe you an explanation. Believe whatever you want."
Why bother? He’d never trust her anyway.
Nathaniel’s gaze flickered to the crib beside her. Then it hit him—the folic acid tablets she’d been taking.
His expression turned glacial.
"Are you pregnant?"
Evelyn’s blood ran cold. How did he—?
Her pulse thundered in her ears. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe.
He’d made it clear before—he didn’t want children. Not with her.
And Beatrice had already declared that Victoria Sinclair was the only woman worthy of bearing his heirs.
Nathaniel’s voice was steel. "Answer me."
She swallowed hard, scrambling for words.
He closed the distance, bracing a hand against the crib, trapping her. "First the folic acid, now shopping for cribs. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?"
Evelyn’s mind raced. So he had found the bottle she’d left at their old home.
She forced a laugh, gesturing to the display. "A client needed recommendations. And this brand’s having a sale. That’s all."
Nathaniel studied her, skepticism burning in his gaze.
"Evelyn, we may have agreed to divorce, but it’s not finalized yet. Do you have any idea what happens if you’re carrying another man’s child?"
She lifted her chin. "Enlighten me. What would you do if it were yours?"
His answer was instant. "Terminate it."
He couldn’t stomach the thought of her bearing someone else’s child while still tied to him.
Evelyn’s heart shattered, though she’d expected nothing less.
Some things never changed. To him, she’d never be good enough. Only Victoria, with her pristine lineage, deserved to be the mother of his children.
Masking her pain, she replied coolly, "Don’t worry. It’s not yours."
She’d make sure he never found out.
"It better not be." With a final scowl, he turned on his heel and stormed off.
The crowd parted as he strode past, whispers erupting in his wake. No one had seen their confrontation, but the tension was palpable.
Only Robert caught the storm in Nathaniel’s eyes and sighed.
Ever since the divorce was mentioned, Evelyn had become a master at igniting Nathaniel’s fury.