“Well…” I squirm under her no-nonsense gaze. “Maybe I’d think about a good way to approach it.”
“Come on, Evie. Hesitation would be totally normal. It isn’t easy to shatter somebody’s world.”
I hate it that Kim has a point, even though I want to insist she’s wrong. “You’re supposed to be on Team Evie.”
“I’m on Team I Want to See Evie Happy.” She squeezes my hand. “I hate to see you drive yourself crazy like this. It can’t be good for your baby, either.”
I rest my palm over my belly. “I know.”
“Only you can decide what you’re going to do. I’m not telling you to forgive Nate if you can’t make yourself do it.”
Kim’s right. I need to find a way to let it go if I want to be with Nate. It’s just that it’s so hard to make that leap when it isn’t just me who might be hurt, but the baby as well.
Chapter Fifty-One
Evie
By the time I get home, it’s a little past nine. I toe my shoes off in the living room and lie on the couch, exhausted. I know Nate isn’t back yet because I checked the garage on my way in. What could be keeping him away for so long? Should I text him? I start to reach for my phone, then change my mind, not wanting to look like a needy, clingy wife.
I keep thinking about what Kim said. She has a point, even if I don’t like to admit it. The thing is, it’s easy to pretend I’m brave when it’s just talk. But when it’s for real? Risking everything is hard.
Love.
She’s right that I still love him, and Nate will always be powerful and wealthy. So my course is clear: I have to overcome my hang-ups if I want to be with the man I love.
Do I really think he’s going to be another Chadwick?
The deepest part of my heart says no. Chad never put my needs above his. Nate has done that more than once. And he probably couldn’t find a good way to destroy my illusions about my dad. To be honest, it’s partly Mom’s fault, too. She should’ve said something a long time ago. Or—at the very least—when I called to let her know Dad had reappeared. A petty part wants to lay all the blame on her, even though I know it’s unreasonable. She did what she thought best out of her desire to make me feel good about my parents when I was growing up. I can’t really stay angry at her for too long about it.
What do you want, Evie? To cling to your fear or to live your life with the man you love?
I hear the roar of Bugatti. Nate’s home. I sit up, my palms sweaty, my heart racing.
The door opens, and Nate walks in. I inhale deeply.
“Evie,” he says.
“Nate.” I gesture awkwardly in the general direction of numerous seats we have in the living room. “We should talk.”
He nods. “We should.” He comes to me, then crouches in front of my chair. He reaches out and holds my hands in his, his eyes bright and determined.
My pulse throbs hard with anticipation and a tinge of uncertainty.
“I’ve thought long and hard about what you said, and you’re right. I should’ve told you the truth. I should’ve treated you like an adult who deserved to know the real deal, no matter how unpleasant it was.”
“Thank you,” I say, touched he’s saying this, especially since I can tell he’s sincere. It soothes the frayed edges of my nerves.
“And I understand your fear of the power I have—what my money represents.”
I bite my lower lip. I didn’t know he understood, not really.
“So…” He takes a deep breath. “I decided to take it out of the equation.”
What? How can he just remove something that’s been part of him since he was born?
“I had a long meeting with Ken Honishi.”
“The lawyer?” I ask, my nerves growing taut. Is he talking an annulment? Custody of the baby? But how do either of those relate to—