Chapter 232

"Nathan," Serena murmured, her voice laced with concern as she studied his tense profile. "Is everything alright?"

Nathan's expression remained unreadable, his tone clipped. "I'm fine. Just eat."

Serena hesitated, her fingers tightening around her fork. "If you're swamped with work, you don't have to force yourself to dine with me. I can manage on my own." Her cautious gaze flickered over him, as if afraid her words might provoke irritation.

A muscle twitched in Nathan's jaw. He knew he shouldn’t let his foul mood ruin the evening—especially since he had been the one to invite her. With effort, he softened his tone. "It's nothing. Eat."

Serena nodded, offering a tentative smile. "Alright. You should eat too." She picked up a piece of honey-glazed pork rib and placed it on his plate.

Nathan stared at it, his mind drifting to memories he had tried to suppress.

Honey-glazed ribs.

Evelyn’s favorite.

The first time they had dined here, she had devoured nearly the entire plate, leaving him with only one piece. The thought of her now sent a sharp pang through his chest. Where was she? What was she doing?

By the time the meal ended, the rib remained untouched. Nathan stood abruptly, striding toward the door of the private dining room. Just as he pushed it open, the door across the hallway swung open as well.

"Grandmother, isn’t the food here incredible? I knew you’d love it."

That voice—sweet, melodic, achingly familiar—sent Nathan’s pulse spiking. His entire body stilled as he turned toward the sound.

Evelyn stepped into the hallway, her arm linked with an elderly woman’s. She finished speaking and glanced up—only to freeze when her eyes locked with Nathan’s.

Time seemed to stop.

Her breath hitched.

Of all the people she could have run into, she hadn’t expected him.

Before she could react, another voice—light, cheerful—cut through the silence. "Nathan, the lobster was divine. We should come here more often."

Serena emerged from behind him, her smile bright.

The air between them turned brittle.

Evelyn’s gaze flickered from Nathan to Serena, her mind scrambling for composure. Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, a cold weight settled in her chest, draining the color from her face.

Nathan had told her he was too busy—too busy to meet her family, too busy for her.

Yet here he was, dining with Serena.

The realization struck like a blade.

Perhaps it wasn’t about who he was with—but who he wasn’t choosing to be with.

A bitter laugh threatened to escape her throat, but she swallowed it down.

Nathan’s chest tightened as he took in Evelyn’s pallid expression.