Chapter 31 Nathaniel Quinn
Evelyn's POV
Nathaniel stood in front of me.
Alive. Breathing. Real.
For a second, I thought my mind had finally snapped under the weight of everything I’d been carrying, because this couldn’t be him. It just couldn't.
Not after all these years.
Not after he disappeared without a word.
My chest tightened as memories I’d buried clawed their way back to the surface.
I had searched for him everywhere.
I called.
I begged neighbors for answers.
I went to his parents, only to be met with closed doors, his mum clearly didn't want me anywhere near them.
His apartment, the one that once echoed with laughter and plans of our future, was nothing but silence. It was like he had been erased from his own life. From this world.
We hadn't had a fight. There had been no warning.
Just one dark night… and then nothing.
Nate and I grew up as very close friends and only decided to take it a step further after high school.
I didn’t give up on Nate.
Not when my mother told me he’d left.
Not when my father mocked my hope.
Not even when everyone else decided it was easier to forget him. Only Eva understood how I felt.
Because before the silence, before the disappearance, we loved each other.
Or at least that's what I thought. And love like that doesn’t just vanish.
“Hi, Evelyn… It's been forever,” he said as he held my hand, then he kissed the back of my palm.
My eyes widened and I shook my head, trying to get the memories out of my head and focus on what was happening in front of me.
“Hi, Nathaniel,” I croaked out.
I couldn't bring myself to take my hands off his hand, even though he didn't deserve to touch me. He is no longer allowed to breathe the same air as me.
“You've grown into a more beautiful woman, Evie,” he smiled.
That smile made my heart thump in my chest. It brought back memories, it made me recall how happy we used to be until he ruined everything.
I parted my lips to speak but before I could give a response, Adrian appeared in front of me.
My eyes blinked.
He took my hand away from Nathaniel gently and stood beside me, facing him.
“Mr. Adrian Kane,” Nathaniel smiled and extended his hand for a handshake.
Adrian didn't take it, instead he smirked.
My eyes darted between them in a confused way. Do they know each other?
Then Adrian's voice rose. “I didn't expect you to know who I am, Mr. Nathaniel.”
“You just came back from the states but your father already introduced everyone to you?” Adrian asked.
“Of course. That's the reason I hosted this,” Nathaniel smiled. “To get to know everyone better. Form alliances.”
I processed his words and my eyes widened in surprise.
If I understood him well, then the person Mira was talking about coming back from the states was him.
Nathaniel Quinn?
“Then, did your father introduce my wife to you as well?” Adrian pulled me closer to himself and he didn't blink while looking at Nate.
I swallowed hard. I didn't know what I could call the feeling I was having as I stared at Nate.
I didn't hate him even though I wanted to. He left but looking at him made me realize just how much I had missed him.
Nate had to answer Adrian's question but he turned to me first and smiled.
He wanted to speak but Cassandra beat him to it.
“Don't you think he's someone your wife is seeing whenever she leaves your home?” Cassandra moved over to Adrian and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Cameras clicked as the people around us whispered.
She was holding my husband like that in public and that would surely make the media restless.
Nathaniel also took a step closer to me. Our eyes locked and I could feel the heat from his body on my skin.
Damn! I didn't know what to do. I didn't know whether I wanted to stay close to Adrian like I was doing, or maybe I wanted to be lost in my ex-boyfriend's eyes forever.
“My father didn't introduce Evie to me,” he replied the question I had almost forgotten Adrian asked.
“Evie and I have a history. We share a bond that is not spoken of,” he added.
The people around us were getting curious. I could hear whispers from them as they tried to decipher what bond the host of the party was talking about.
Why would he even say such in public after Adrian clearly called me his wife?
“What bond is that, Mr. Quinn?” Cecelia, who I hadn't noticed stood behind Nate asked.
I looked around and could see the curiosity on everyone's face. Even Adrian had his eyes on Nate as they anticipated his response.
Cassandra was still placing her hand on Adrian's shoulder and he didn't chase her away.
I looked back at Nate. If he lets everyone know we once dated, it wouldn't cause problems for anyone, would it?
Or would it be better to hide it and just lie? I didn't know which one he'd do but I also waited for him to answer the question he was asked.
He turned to where the question came from, now facing Cecelia.
That smile that made my heart skip two beats, formed on his lips again.
“She's…..” he paused and turned to me again.
Nathaniel wrapped his hand around my waist pulling me away from Adrian.
Everyone, including me, let out a loud gasp. I tried to create distance between us with my hands, but Nate was stronger. I gave up and gave in to his embrace.
“She's my…..” he said again, slower. This time he turned his face towards me and we locked eyes.
My heart rate quickened as I anticipated the complete sentence. I unintentionally crossed my fingers behind my back. I really hoped he wouldn't call me something I wasn't.
I hoped he wouldn't turn our past into a weapon.
After all these years , there was no telling what kind of person he was now.