Chapter 12
Nathan dreamed of Annabelle all night. Her smile, her tears, the soft curve of her waist, and the quiet gasps she made–all of it haunted him.
In his dreams, she was in his arms, just like before. She let him have his way and drown in her. Her breath wrapped around him, lingering as if she’d never left.
But when he woke up, there was no one beside him.
Nathan instinctively reached out, only to touch the cold, empty sheets. A hollow ache spread through his chest, like something vital had been ripped away from him. Suddenly, his phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts.
He answered, and his friend’s voice came through the line. “Nate, everything’s set for the party. Evie’s been notified too. When are you getting here?” Nathan rubbed his temples. His voice was hoarse as he replied, “I’ll be there soon.”
After hanging up, he got up and headed to the bathroom.
He let cold water pour over his head, trying to wash away the heat of his lingering dreams. But no matter how hard he tried, Annabelle’s image refused to fade. He dried off, got dressed, and was about to leave when Carson returned.
Carson knew Nathan wasn’t short on money. A fawning smile was plastered on his face as he asked, “Sir, did you sleep well last night? If you’d like to stay longer, we can negotiate the price. Adding a little extra is always an option-”
Nathan cut him off coldly. “That’s not necessary.”
Carson blinked in surprise, not expecting such a direct refusal. He quickly added, “This location is great, and the renovations are top–notch. If you’re interested, I can give you a good deal-” “This was my ex’s place.” Nathan’s voice was icy. “I won’t be coming back.”
Without another word, he walked out of the apartment.
The venue for Evelyn’s birthday party was extravagantly decorated with flowers, balloons, and dazzling lights. Everything was perfectly arranged to create a romantic and luxurious atmosphere.
As soon as Nathan arrived, his friends greeted him and handed him an elegant jewelry box.
“Nate, we got the necklace just like you asked. The global limited edition. It’s one of a kind. Once you put it on Evie, she’s gonna be over the moon.”
Nathan took the box and flipped it open. The diamonds sparkled under the lights, their brilliance almost blinding.
This was supposed to be the moment he’d been waiting for. But for some reason, he felt an emptiness gnawing at him.
Before he could dwell on it, Evelyn arrived with her group of friends. She wore a flowing white dress. Her makeup was flawless, and she was smiling sweetly. Her friends flanked her, showering her with compliments.
“Evie, you look stunning! Nathan really went all out for you. This whole setup is so romantic!”
“Yeah, Nathan was our school’s heartthrob, but he’s been into you for years. Talk about dedication!”
As Evelyn basked in their compliments, a satisfied smile spread across her face. She stepped closer to Nathan, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Nate, thank you for all of this.” When Nathan looked at her, he felt an odd irritation 1ising in his chest. Still, he forced a smile and handed her the jewelry box. “Happy birthday, Evie.”
Evelyn took the box, opened it, and gasped. “Oh my God! This necklace is gorgeous! Nate, you’re amazing!”
Her friends immediately started hyping her up.
“Nathan, this is such a grand gesture. Are you finally confessing today?”
“Yeah, you’ve had feelings for her for years. What better time than now?”
Nathan stood there, gripping the microphone, but the words wouldn’t come out.
1
He took a deep breath and finally opened his mouth. “Evie, 1-”
Before he could finish, a cold voice rang out from the entrance. “I don’t approve of this.”
