Chapter 3

Evelyn had clearly forgotten all about the note. She didn't even notice what was in my hand.

She headed into the bedroom to change, tossing orders over her shoulder:

"Julian's picking us up for the exhibition soon. Go change. Stop looking like a bum all the time."

"And remember, walk around by yourself once we get there. Don't hover behind me, and don't tell a soul about our marriage."

I nodded impassively.

"Understood."

When we first tied the knot, Evelyn insisted she was in the critical climbing phase of her career and couldn't risk going public.

She begged and sweet-talked me until I agreed to keep our marriage a secret.

I even let her tell people in public that I was just an overzealous admirer chasing after her.

That "temporary" secret had lasted eight whole years.

Seeing how compliant I was, Evelyn gave me an odd look, but she didn't comment.

At dusk, when I followed Evelyn down to the curb, I saw that she and Julian were wearing matching designer outfits.

The suit Evelyn had picked out for me was several tiers cheaper, making me look like an errand boy next to him.

Anyone glancing at us would assume I was their chauffeur.

Evelyn cleared her throat awkwardly and turned to offer an excuse.

"It's just a coincidence, Nathan. Don't overthink it."

I waved my hand dismissively, voluntarily opening the front door for her.

"It's just for the cameras. I get it."

Her mouth opened slightly, but with Julian watching, she swallowed her words.

Once we settled into the car, Julian turned around and cheerfully handed back a cup of hot latte.

I didn't reach for it. Evelyn frowned and shoved the cup into my hands.

"Julian went out of his way to get that for you. Where are your manners?"

Julian lowered his head with an exaggerated look of remorse.

"I'm sorry, Nathan. Are you still mad at me?"

"It was my fault earlier. I shouldn't have stolen the spotlight with your ring, and I shouldn't have called Evelyn away this afternoon."

Evelyn scoffed. "Ignore him, Julian. You're giving him way too much credit."

Completely disregarding my lingering fever, she tapped the control and rolled down the window.

Freezing winter wind blasted directly into the backseat.

I squinted against the biting draft. The lukewarm dairy in my hand didn't warm me; it turned my stomach.

Evelyn had forgotten that I'm severely lactose intolerant and can't touch dairy.

And now, she spoke to me like I was dirt under her shoe.

Before long, the car pulled up in front of the grand exhibition center. I watched Evelyn loop her arm through Julian's as they walked the red carpet.

Colleagues and journalists gathered around, praising what a gorgeous power couple they were, asking if wedding bells were ringing.

Evelyn offered a coy, blushing smile without a word of denial.

I didn't care anymore. My illness was flaring back up, leaving me dizzy and heavy-headed.

Grimacing, I turned to hail an Uber to leave, but then my eyes caught the giant promotional banners at the entrance.

In an instant, the blood drained from my face, and my limbs went completely numb.

Those were my sketches.

They were the companion pieces to the pink diamond ring—a full haute joaillerie suite that I hadn't even had time to send to the manufacturer yet.

Those drafts were locked inside the private safe in my study. It was impossible for them to leak.

Yet right there in the lower right corner of the banner, stamped in gold foil, was Julian Hayes's name.

The truth hit me like a sledgehammer.

Evelyn hadn't come home this afternoon to check on me. She had come home to crack my safe.

To think my sweat and soul had been handed on a silver platter to Julian Hayes, letting him steal every ounce of acclaim and prestige.

A sharp pain tore through my chest, and the bitter copper taste of bile rose in my throat.

Staring at the two figures stepping into the grand hall, my expression turned to pure ice.