Chapter 286

A heavy silence lingered before Eleanor Sinclair spoke again, her voice softer now. "But you were so certain, Evelyn. You swore you loved him, that marrying him was your choice. Back then, you truly believed you could melt his heart with sheer determination." She sighed, shaking her head. "Yet here we are. Some men are like stone—unyielding, no matter how much warmth you pour into them. Why should I stand by and watch you waste your brightest years on someone who refuses to change? You deserve more than that."

Evelyn Hartley lowered her lashes, her fingers tightening around the edge of her sleeve. The words stung, but she couldn’t deny their truth.

Noticing her granddaughter’s silence, Eleanor softened her tone. "This is only my opinion, darling. The choice is yours and Nathan’s alone. But I don’t want you to look back one day and regret staying in a marriage that brings you nothing but heartache."

Evelyn lifted her gaze, meeting Eleanor’s concerned eyes. "I understand," she murmured. "I’ll think about it carefully."

Eleanor smiled, relief flickering across her features. "Good."

Just as Evelyn opened her mouth to speak again, a faint shuffle sounded outside the door. Her spine straightened, and she pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for Eleanor to stay quiet.

Confused but obedient, Eleanor nodded.

Evelyn moved swiftly, her steps silent as she crossed the room. In one fluid motion, she yanked the door open—

"Ah!" Isabelle Laurent stumbled forward, barely catching herself before she hit the floor.

"Isabelle?" Eleanor gasped, startled.

Evelyn crouched down, offering a hand to help Isabelle up, though her expression was anything but kind. "Isabelle," she said coolly, "care to explain why you were eavesdropping on a private conversation?"

Isabelle’s face burned crimson. There was no point in lying—she’d been caught. "I—I was just worried," she stammered. "I thought you two might be arguing, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay. That’s all."

Evelyn’s gaze didn’t waver. "I appreciate your concern," she said, her voice deceptively calm, "but when I ask for privacy, I expect it to be respected. Eavesdropping is not only inappropriate—it’s disrespectful. Don’t let it happen again."

"I—I’m sorry, Evelyn." Isabelle couldn’t meet her eyes. Humiliation burned through her as she scrambled to her feet and fled down the hallway.

The door clicked shut behind her.

"Evelyn," Eleanor chided gently, "she meant no harm. She was just looking out for us."

Evelyn said nothing, but a sharp unease settled in her chest. She’d noticed Isabelle’s growing interest in her marriage—always lingering a little too close whenever Nathan’s name came up.

Her expression remained neutral, but her thoughts churned. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Eleanor, she left Vera Vis.

On her way back to the hospital, her phone buzzed. Natalie Brooks’ name flashed across the screen.

Evelyn answered. "What is it, Natalie?"