Chapter 35

The silence in the office was suffocating.

Nathan ignored the food entirely, his attention fixed on his laptop. Serena watched him, frustration simmering beneath her composed exterior.

Dylan, ever the peacemaker, broke the tension. "So, Nathan, about the merger—"

"Not now," Nathan cut in, his tone sharp.

Serena's patience snapped. "Is this about her? Again?"

Nathan finally looked up, his gaze glacial. "This is my office. If you're here to interrogate me, you can leave."

Dylan shot Serena a warning look before turning back to Nathan. "We just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine." The words were clipped.

Serena exhaled sharply. "Fine. But don't expect me to keep pretending this isn't happening."

With that, she grabbed her purse and stormed out.

Dylan hesitated, then followed, casting one last glance at Nathan.

Alone again, Nathan stared at the untouched takeout container.

His phone buzzed. A message from his father:

"Did she bring you lunch?"

Nathan's jaw tightened.

The game was far from over.

Nathan shifted the conversation toward Dylan, asking, "How are things between you and Evelyn, Dylan? When is she finalizing the divorce with you?"

Dylan responded coolly, "My father's condition is that the divorce can proceed, but not until after his birthday later this year. The divorce is on hold until then."

Hearing this, Serena arched a brow. "So, you're saying you'll have to wait an entire month more?"

"That's correct," Dylan confirmed.

Nathan let out a frustrated curse under his breath. "That scheming woman must have gotten to your father. I knew she wouldn’t let you go without a fight." His irritation flared as he added, "Damn, she really has some nerve!"

Dylan’s expression darkened at Nathan’s harsh words. He fixed him with a sharp glare, his voice icy. "Watch your mouth. I won’t tolerate that kind of talk."

To his own surprise, Dylan found Nathan’s crude remarks about Evelyn irritating.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. He wasn’t sure if Dylan was scolding him for his language or for insulting Evelyn.

Serena’s lips thinned. Was Dylan actually defending Evelyn now?

What had changed since Evelyn’s return? Before, any mention of her name would barely register on Dylan’s face—his indifference so complete it was as if she meant nothing to him.

But now…

Evelyn seemed capable of stirring something in him.

A cold realization settled in Serena’s chest. She forced the words out, her voice tight. "Dylan… are you having second thoughts about the divorce?"

This suspicion had been gnawing at her ever since Evelyn came back. There was something different in Dylan’s demeanor—something she couldn’t quite name, but it unsettled her deeply.

At her question, Dylan’s jaw tensed. He looked away, his response measured. "No."

But there was a slight hesitation in his denial, betraying his uncertainty.

Serena’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Or could it be… have you started to develop feelings for Evelyn?"

Dylan’s expression hardened.

In a low, firm voice, he replied, "Absolutely not. My feelings for Evelyn are nonexistent."

Internally, he admitted that hearing about the divorce delay from Leonard had brought him an unexpected sense of relief. But he refused to believe it was because of Evelyn.

No, it was just that he wasn’t ready—unsure if he should marry Serena after the divorce. This delay was merely a temporary reprieve, giving him time to reconsider everything.

?