Chapter 48
Ethan’s eyes turned icy, his knuckles whitening from the tight grip.
“That car belongs to Daniel Sterling?”
No wonder Colin couldn’t find any leads. After their last encounter, he’d investigated but only uncovered Daniel’s connection to the influential Sterling family in the capital. The political waters there ran too deep to pursue further.
Evelyn froze momentarily when she spotted Daniel, then quickly schooled her expression into indifference.
“Mr. Sullivan, you’re overstepping.”
She strode toward Daniel’s car without a backward glance. Ethan watched the taillights disappear, darkness churning in his gaze.
“Back to the office.”
Inside the car, Evelyn frowned at the driver’s seat.
“Why you? I specifically called Sophia.”
Daniel turned the steering wheel, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“We happened to be at dinner together. She got tied up, so I came instead.”
Her brow arched. During his early career when she’d managed him, Sophia often visited the set. That’s how they’d become friends.
“With your packed schedule, you still have time for dinners?”
Amusement sparkled in his eyes.
“Keeping tabs on my itinerary? Want me to bring you signed photos next time?”
“Please,” she scoffed. “If I hadn’t drilled your handwriting back then, your autograph would’ve been returned by disappointed fans.”
Memories flashed of the calligraphy room—how he’d deliberately scrawled messy characters just to steal extra glances at her. Those secret longings would forever remain buried.
“Speaking of which,” Evelyn’s voice softened, “how are the others doing?”
“Busy with their own lives.”
All the artists she’d once managed had skyrocketed to fame, though reunions became rare.
When the car stopped at Northville Villa, Evelyn shook her head.
“I moved back to the marital home. Let’s drop you off first.”
Daniel’s grip on the wheel tightened.
“You two…”
“The divorce isn’t finalized.” Her interruption was sharp. “It’s personal.”
The words stabbed like a blade. So in her eyes, he didn’t even merit the right to ask.
“Evelyn,” his voice turned gravelly, “aren’t we friends?”
She patted his shoulder.
“Exactly why I don’t want you involved. Come on, let’s get you to your hotel.”
Late at night, the agent studied the silent man in the rearview mirror outside the hotel entrance.
“To Northville.”
The black sedan melted into the darkness again. Daniel stood before the villa, staring at the pitch-black windows next door, his gaze darker than the night itself.
Dusk settled in, the last rays of sunset swallowed by heavy clouds.
I stood by the window, my fingers absently tracing the edge of the curtain. Outside, raindrops slanted across the glass, leaving winding trails of water.
My phone screen lit up with a message from Ethan: “8 p.m. The usual place.”
Seven simple words, yet they made my pulse quicken. Three months had passed since we last saw each other—since that night.
I stared at the message until the screen went dark. The mirror reflected my pale face, the shadows under my eyes impossible to hide.
“What’s meant to happen will happen,” I whispered to my reflection.
The closet door creaked softly as I opened it. My fingers hovered over the row of clothes before settling on the emerald-green dress—his favorite.
The rain grew heavier, drumming loudly against my umbrella. Each step toward the café felt unsteady, as if I were walking on cotton.
Warm golden light spilled over me as I pushed the door open. In the corner, a familiar figure sat stirring his coffee.
When he looked up, surprise flickered in his eyes. My nails dug into my palms, but I barely felt the sting.
“You’ve lost weight,” he said.
The clink of his cup against the saucer was sharp. I stared at the trembling reflection in my coffee and heard myself say, “Let’s break up.”
Outside, the rain turned violent. A bolt of lightning split the sky. Before the thunder could follow, his spoon clattered to the floor.
