Chapter 94 A Familiar Stranger
Evelyn didn’t move for a moment.
She couldn’t remember the last time she had been rendered this quiet.
Once was enough. Twice… felt absurd.
And yet, there was warmth spreading slowly in her chest. Uninvited.
Her gaze drifted to the racks, the dresses, and the endless selection.
Everything so far had been for her.
Only her.
Before she could think too much about it, she turned and walked out of the fitting area.
“Madam?” the staff called softly behind her.
But she didn’t stop.
Roman looked up again as she approached.
“Where are you going?”
“To the men’s section.”
He paused.
“…Why?”
She looked at him like the answer should have been obvious.
“To pick clothes for you.”
He opened his mouth, ready to refuse. But then stopped.
Something shifted in his expression.
“…Alright.”
—
The atmosphere changed when they entered the men’s section.
It had darker tones, cleaner lines, and more structured designs.
Evelyn moved between the racks, her fingers brushing lightly over the fabrics.
Then she stopped.
“This one.”
She pulled out a shirt—deep charcoal, with a clean, minimal cut.
Her eyes flickered toward him.
“Try it.”
Roman took it without protest.
\-
When he stepped out a few minutes later, she looked up, and paused.
It fit perfectly.
“…It looks good,” she said quietly.
Roman didn’t respond immediately.
He was watching her instead.
The way her eyes lingered just a little longer than before.
Evelyn held up another shirt, tilting her head slightly as she studied it.
“This one,” she said, handing it to Roman.
He took it from her without hesitation, the faintest hint of amusement still lingering in his eyes.
“Your taste is getting bolder.”
She ignored that.
“Just go try it.”
Roman let out a soft chuckle and turned toward the fitting room.
The door closed behind him.
—
Inside the dressing room, he slipped the shirt onto the hook, reaching for the fabric, then his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed slightly, before answering the call.
—
Evelyn didn’t wait. She had already turned back to the racks, her attention shifting as she moved from one section to another.
This time, she wasn’t overthinking it.
If something caught her eye, she picked it.
If she liked it, she kept it aside.
At some point, she even started choosing pieces that would match the ones she had picked for herself earlier. The thought came naturally, and she didn’t question it.
She paused in front of a darker piece, lifting it slightly as she imagined how it would look on him.
Her lips curved faintly.
Then, something felt wrong.
It was subtle at first. Just a faint sensation at the back of her neck, like someone was watching.
Evelyn frowned slightly and turned.
There was nothing unusual.
The staff were still moving quietly in the background. No one was looking directly at her.
She exhaled softly and shook her head.
‘I’m overthinking.’
She turned back.
But the feeling didn’t go away.
If anything, it became stronger, and sharper.
It pressed against her awareness, cold and uncomfortable, like a gaze that refused to leave.
Her fingers stilled against the fabric.
A faint chill ran down her spine.
Evelyn turned again, more quickly this time.
Still nothing.
Her heart began to beat faster than usual.
She glanced toward the dressing room.
The door was still closed. Roman hadn’t come out yet.
The unease lingered.
It didn’t make sense, and yet she couldn’t ignore it.
Evelyn pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay calm.
“Excuse me,” she said to one of the staff, her voice steady despite the tension creeping in. “Where’s the restroom?”
The staff member immediately pointed her in the right direction.
“This way, Madam.”
Evelyn nodded and walked off without hesitation, her steps slightly faster.
—
The restroom was just as pristine as everything else.
It was quiet and empty.
She stepped inside and moved straight to the sink, turning on the tap and splashing cold water onto her face. Twice.
She let out a slow breath, her fingers gripping the edge of the sink as she tried to steady herself.
‘It’s nothing.’
‘You’re just tired.’
The door opened.
The sound was soft. But in the silence, it felt loud.
Evelyn froze.
Her hands stilled, water dripping from her fingers as her body tensed instinctively.
For a moment, she didn’t turn.
Her heartbeat began to rise, quick and uneven.
Then she heard fast, unhurried footsteps. Coming closer.
She turned sharply. Her breath caught.
For a split second, her mind went blank.
Her hand moved instinctively, almost reaching for her phone.
And then a face came into view. Eyes wide, and disheveled.
Her stomach dropped.
“…Nathan?!”
Evelyn stood frozen, her eyes fixed on him.
For a moment, she couldn’t reconcile what she was seeing.
Nathan. Here?
In a place like this.
And yet… this version of him felt completely unfamiliar.
His clothes were wrinkled. His hair was uneven, as if parts of it had been cut off carelessly. His eyes—red, bloodshot, almost bulging. Nothing like the carefree boy she once knew.
“…Evelyn.”
His voice trembled, then suddenly broke into laughter.
“It’s really you,” he said, almost breathless. “I knew it was you when I saw my uncle walk in with a woman… I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Evelyn swallowed slowly.
“So do I,” she replied.
Her voice came out quieter than she expected.
“You look… different.”
Very different.
Her fingers tightened around her bag as her other hand instinctively moved toward her phone.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her gaze sharpening. “Were you the one watching me earlier?”
Nathan’s eyes immediately dropped to her hand.
“Evelyn, don’t—” he said quickly, stepping toward her.
“Don’t come closer!” she snapped, stepping back.
Her heart was pounding now.
Fear crept in, slow but undeniable.
Nathan stopped.
For a brief moment, something flickered across his face—pain, confusion… and desperation.
“What happened to you?” Evelyn asked, her voice softer now, but unsteady.
“What happened to me?” he echoed, a strange laugh slipping out of him.
He took another step, slower this time.
“Don’t you recognize me?” he said, his voice dropping. “I’m Nathan… your Nathan…”
The last words came out almost like a whisper.
Evelyn’s breath hitched.
She stared at him, taking in the details she hadn’t fully processed before—his trembling hands, the raw scratches along his neck, the way his eyes seemed unable to focus properly.
Something wasn’t right. Not at all.
Tears gathered in her eyes before she could stop them.
“What… is wrong with you?” she asked quietly.
Nathan’s expression shifted instantly.
“Hey… hey, don’t be scared,” he said quickly, his tone turning pleading. “Just—just listen to me, okay? Don’t call anyone. Please.”
His voice cracked.
“You’re the only one who can help me right now.”
He gripped his head suddenly, fingers digging into his hair.
“I’m going crazy…” he muttered.
Then immediately shook his head.
“No—no, I’m not. I’m not going crazy. I just… I just need you to listen.”
Evelyn nodded without thinking.
She didn’t understand why, but seeing him like this… felt wrong.