Chapter 172

"Of course," Nathan responded.

They exchanged a few more words before Evelyn ended the call and stepped back inside.

Once in her room, she sank onto the bed, closed her eyes, and let exhaustion pull her under.

In the dead of night, the sharp vibration of her phone jolted her awake.

Blinking against the darkness, she fumbled for her phone, squinting at the caller ID. Her brows knitted together. Without hesitation, she answered.

"Hello…?"

"Evelyn…" Grace's voice was thin, strained, barely audible.

"What's wrong?" At the sound of her mother's distress, Evelyn shot upright, her pulse quickening.

"I—I don’t feel right. Can you come? Please." Grace’s plea was laced with something raw, something urgent.

"Hold on. I'm leaving now." Evelyn hung up, already throwing off the covers.

She flicked on her phone’s flashlight, the harsh light cutting through the dark as she hurried toward the walk-in closet.

A soft click broke the silence. The lamp on Nathan’s side of the bed glowed to life.

"It’s the middle of the night. Where are you going?" His voice was rough with sleep, yet still carried that deep, velvety edge that always sent a shiver down her spine.

"My mother isn’t well. I need to go." She didn’t pause, didn’t explain further, already pulling out clothes.

Nathan’s expression darkened, a shadow of concern flickering across his face. He said nothing as she dressed swiftly and moved toward the door.

Evelyn didn’t glance back, didn’t acknowledge the tension coiling in the air between them. She simply left.

Nathan scowled, irritation and something else—something he refused to name—twisting in his chest. She was capable. Independent. So why did the thought of her rushing out alone at this hour unsettle him?

Gritting his teeth, he shoved off the bed. Snatching his phone from the nightstand, he dialed.

The line connected instantly.

"Mr. Black." His assistant’s voice was alert despite the hour.

"Evelyn just left. Track her." The command was sharp, leaving no room for debate.

A beat of silence. Then, cautiously, "Should we ensure Mrs. Black’s safety?"

Nathan’s jaw tightened. "Just monitor where she goes. That’s all." He ended the call before any more questions could be asked.

He told himself it wasn’t about her. If something happened to Evelyn, Leonard might spiral, his health at risk. That was all.

Satisfied with his own reasoning, Nathan turned off the lamp and lay back down.

Sleep, however, didn’t come easily.