Chapter 14

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the penthouse as Evelyn Sinclair stirred awake. Beside her, Nathan Blackwood slept soundly, his dark lashes brushing against his cheeks. A faint smile curved her lips as she traced the strong line of his jaw with her fingertips.

Then her phone buzzed.

Victoria Hayes’ name flashed on the screen, sending an immediate chill down Evelyn’s spine. She hesitated before swiping to read the message:

"We need to talk. Alone. The usual café. 10 AM."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. Victoria never reached out unless it was something significant—or dangerous.

She slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb Nathan. In the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to shake off the unease coiling in her stomach.

What does she want now?

Dressed in a sleek black dress and heels, Evelyn left a note for Nathan before heading out. The café was only a few blocks away, but each step felt heavier than the last.

Victoria was already there, perched elegantly at a corner table, her manicured fingers wrapped around a porcelain cup. She didn’t look up as Evelyn approached.

"You're late," Victoria remarked coolly.

Evelyn sat across from her, refusing to show any sign of intimidation. "Cut to the chase, Victoria. Why am I here?"

A slow, calculated smile spread across Victoria’s lips. She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Nathan’s past is about to catch up with him. And if you care about him at all, you’ll want to hear what I have to say."

Evelyn’s pulse spiked. "What are you talking about?"

Victoria slid a sealed envelope across the table. "Open it. But be warned—once you see what’s inside, there’s no going back."

Evelyn’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for it. The weight of the envelope suggested more than just papers.

What secret is she hiding?

Before she could open it, her phone buzzed again—this time, it was Lillian Graves, her assistant.

"Emergency at the office. You need to come now."

Evelyn clenched her jaw. She couldn’t ignore this, but she also couldn’t leave without knowing what Victoria had just handed her.

"Decide quickly, Evelyn," Victoria murmured, sipping her tea. "Time isn’t on your side."

Evelyn snatched the envelope and stood. "This isn’t over."

Victoria’s smirk deepened. "Oh, darling. It’s only just begun."

As Evelyn rushed out of the café, the envelope burned in her grip like a ticking bomb.

What the hell did Nathan do?

And more importantly—was she ready to face the truth?

As night descended, all pressing matters had to be postponed until morning.

On the spot, Nathan Blackwood renamed Liam as Theodore Prescott, welcoming the boy into the Blackwood estate to live with Sophia.

Theodore could barely keep his eyes open upon arrival. Despite the emotional whirlwind, he was still a growing child who couldn't fight exhaustion any longer.

Sophia refused to leave her son's side, clinging to him as if he might disappear again.

Richard and Margaret came to admire their grandson, their expressions overflowing with affection.

Finally, Nathan made his appearance.

"Where's Evelyn?" Margaret inquired.

Nathan replied, "She's retired to her chambers for the night."

The Blackwood family convened immediately - all except Theodore, who slept soundly in his new bedroom.

"What in heaven's name is happening? Can we truly hear Evelyn's innermost thoughts?" Richard demanded.

Nathan recounted the day's bizarre events at the corporation. "Currently, only a select few of us possess this ability."

"We can't hear her now, correct?" Margaret asked, perplexed.

"It's a proximity matter," Nathan explained. "Like normal conversation - too far away, and the words fade."

"I owe her everything this time," Sophia murmured, still shaken. "She saved both me and Theo. But how did she obtain such information?" The events had unfolded with dizzying speed, leaving her questioning reality itself.

Had Evelyn not revealed the truth, Sophia and Theodore might have lived their entire lives as strangers. The mere thought sent chills down her spine.

"I suspect she recently acquired this... ability," Nathan theorized. "Our hearing her thoughts must be an unintended side effect. I propose we maintain appearances for now. When Julian and Genevieve return, we'll see if they're affected too."

The supernatural development left everyone baffled. For now, inaction seemed the only prudent course.

"Evelyn seems... different," Sophia remarked, a nostalgic tone coloring her voice.

When Sophia had married, Evelyn had only recently been reintroduced to the Blackwood family. Their interactions had been limited, and Sophia remembered her as somewhat withdrawn. After the wedding, she'd constantly heard her mother lamenting Nathan and Evelyn's troubled marriage.

"Truthfully, Evelyn's always been eccentric," Margaret mused. "But since her parents' tragic passing..." Her voice trailed off meaningfully.

The family sat in contemplative silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the mysterious woman who had suddenly become the center of their supernatural predicament. Outside, the moon cast long shadows across the Blackwood estate, as if nature itself sensed the extraordinary shift in their lives.

Sophia glanced toward the staircase where Theodore slept peacefully, unaware of the storm brewing around them. She reached for her husband Daniel's hand, drawing strength from his steady presence. Whatever strange power Evelyn now wielded, one thing was certain - nothing in the Blackwood family would ever be the same again.

Margaret sighed as she watched her son, Nathan, pace the room. "After all she's been through with her relatives, Evelyn seemed so broken—completely different from the cheerful girl she used to be. But lately… she’s starting to resemble her old self again."

Richard placed a reassuring hand on Nathan’s shoulder. "At the end of the day, Evelyn didn’t just solve your problems—she saved Sophia and Theodore too. You should repay her properly."

Sophia giggled, recalling the day’s events. "Evelyn might act tough, but deep down, she’s got a heart of gold. You should be more understanding with her from now on."

Margaret nodded in agreement. "Since you agreed to marry her, don’t let her suffer the way I did."

They all hoped Nathan would finally see Evelyn’s worth—that their marriage could blossom into something real. If not, they’d rather they part amicably than drown in resentment.

One thing was certain—they had never shared a room.

Nathan’s mind immediately jumped to Evelyn’s obsession with money. "I’ll just give her cash. That’ll make her happy."

The three of them exchanged exasperated glances.

Is it really money she wants, or you? Can money ever replace love?

Nathan, sensing their disapproval, shrugged. "She loves money. If I reward her financially, she’ll be thrilled."

They didn’t argue, though they questioned his emotional intelligence.

Then, Nathan frowned. "Never mind. She’s terrible with money. I’ll invest it for her instead."

The trio was baffled but secretly pleased. At least he was showing some concern.

In truth, Nathan had just remembered Evelyn’s reckless spending habits. His lips twitched. If we stay married, she’ll get her share. But if we divorce? I’m not funding her search for a younger man.

No matter how careful he was, he couldn’t shake the fear of betrayal.

When Nathan returned home, he planned to discuss investing Evelyn’s money with her.

Before he could knock, a shriek erupted from inside.

Evelyn’s thoughts and words were always worlds apart—once you got used to it, you could tell the difference.

"I’m rich! Why are Richard, Margaret, and Sophia all giving me money?! Oh my God, they’re thanking me for exposing everything! They’re so sweet—good deeds really do pay off! With what I already had, I’ve got two million now. Wait—no, TEN million! I actually made ten million in a single day!"

The mere thought sent shivers down Evelyn's spine. Oh, the sheer exhilaration! Even if this marriage to Nathan Blackwood crumbled and she walked away with nothing, she had no reason to fear. Young lovers, rebellious heartthrobs, chiseled abs—oh, the possibilities!

Inside the lavish bedroom, Evelyn sprawled across the silk sheets, her phone clutched tightly as she fired off grateful replies to well-wishers. Just as she tapped send, a firm knock echoed through the room.

Frowning, she padded to the door and swung it open—only to freeze.

Nathan loomed in the doorway, his towering frame blocking the light. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity in his dark, lash-fringed eyes sent an inexplicable thrill through her.

"Give me all your money," he commanded, his voice low and smooth.

Evelyn blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I'll invest it for you," he continued, unfazed. "Guaranteed returns."

Her mouth fell open. Was this some kind of joke?

"Think it over," he said, already turning away. "Come find me when you decide."

And just like that, he was gone, leaving Evelyn standing there, utterly bewildered.

In her past life, she had been a corporate drone—exhausted, overworked, and underpaid. This time around, she had vowed to live differently. The original Evelyn Sinclair had dabbled in modeling, coasting by on her looks rather than talent. Most of her gigs had been handed to her through connections, leaving her bank account far from impressive.

The Blackwood family had once funded her whims, but after the wedding, Nathan had taken over—despite their strained relationship, he never restricted her spending. His black card was always active, a silent allowance she had grown accustomed to.

But this Evelyn wasn’t comfortable relying on a man’s money. She wanted security—her own security.

So when Nathan proposed managing her finances, she was intrigued.

After all, what did she know about investments? She had been a salarywoman, not a financial prodigy like Nathan Blackwood.

Mind made up, she marched to his room.

Minutes ticked by with no response. Her patience frayed.

What the hell? He told me to come!

Unbeknownst to her, her mental grumbling carried down the hallway, reaching the ears of Sophia Blackwood and her two accomplices. Curiosity piqued, they cracked open their doors, peeking out like nosy spectators.

Has Nathan finally come to his senses? Is he inviting Evelyn into his bed?

The trio nearly squealed in excitement.

Just as Evelyn was about to give up and storm off, the door swung open.

And the sight before her stole her breath.

Nathan stood there, clad only in a loosely tied robe, his damp hair glistening under the warm light. Water droplets trailed down his neck, disappearing beneath the fabric that barely clung to his sculpted chest. One hand held a towel, the other braced against the doorframe.

His usually sharp, composed features were softened by the steam, his lips a sinful shade of red against his flushed skin.

And then—oh God—the robe slipped.

Just a fraction.

Enough to reveal the hard planes of his abdomen, the defined ridges of muscle that made Evelyn’s pulse skyrocket.

One… two… three…

She lost count.

Nathan arched a brow, watching her with amused curiosity.

Damn those shoulders. Those abs. That—everything. I might actually pass out.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. He didn’t adjust his robe. Didn’t even try to hide the view.

Instead, he leaned in slightly, letting the fabric gape wider.

Evelyn swallowed hard.

This man was dangerous.

The morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow over the bedroom. Evelyn Sinclair stretched lazily, her fingers brushing against the warm sheets beside her. The space was empty, but the lingering scent of Nathan Blackwood’s cologne teased her senses.

A smirk curled her lips as she recalled last night—his hands tracing the contours of her waist, his whispered promises against her skin. But what truly stood out in her memory?

Those damn abs.

Eight perfectly defined ridges, each one a testament to discipline and raw masculinity. She had traced them with her fingertips, memorizing every dip and curve. It was unfair, really, how effortlessly he carried such perfection.

The bathroom door creaked open, steam rolling out in soft tendrils. Nathan emerged, a towel slung low around his hips, water droplets glistening on his toned chest. His dark hair was still damp, tousled in that infuriatingly attractive way.

Evelyn propped herself up on one elbow, her gaze shamelessly raking over him. "Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. Or should I say… good abs?"

Nathan arched a brow, amusement flickering in his stormy gray eyes. "Is that all you noticed?"

"Oh, I noticed plenty," she purred, dragging a finger along the edge of the sheet. "But let’s be honest—those abs deserve their own fan club."

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm as he approached the bed. "Jealous?"

"Please," she scoffed, though her eyes betrayed her fascination. "I could have abs like that if I wanted."

Nathan leaned down, bracing his hands on either side of her, his face inches from hers. "But then you wouldn’t have time for your other talents," he murmured, his breath hot against her lips.

Evelyn’s pulse spiked. Damn him and his ability to turn a simple conversation into something charged.

Before she could retort, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. Victoria Hayes’ name flashed across the screen.

Nathan straightened, his expression shifting to something unreadable. "I have to take this."

Evelyn flopped back onto the pillows with a dramatic sigh. "Of course you do."

As he stepped away, she couldn’t help but admire the view one last time—the way his muscles flexed with each movement, the way his back tapered into that sinful V.

Eight-pack abs.

She groaned, throwing an arm over her face.

This man was going to be the death of her.