Three days after my ruined wedding, I walked into Lancaster Tower for the last time.
Or at least, that's what I thought it would be.
The receptionist hesitated as I approached. "Miss Evelyn…"
I ignored her uncertainty. "I'm here to see Daniel."
She glanced toward the elevators. "Miss, I don't think—"
"Do I look like I care what you think?" I cut in smoothly, my voice sharper than I intended.
The receptionist faltered, then sighed, pressing a button on her desk. "You can go up."
I stepped into the elevator, watching the numbers rise. When the doors opened to the top floor, I walked straight to Daniel's office.
I didn't knock.
Daniel sat behind his desk, looking infuriatingly relaxed. His tailored suit was immaculate, his gold watch gleaming under the office lights.
And he was smirking.
"Well, look who finally decided to crawl back."
I clenched my fists. "You bastard."
His smirk widened. "Still dramatic, I see."
I stalked toward his desk. "I want to know why."
He leaned back lazily. "Why what?"
"Why you proposed to me if you were never going to marry me."
Daniel sighed, shaking his head like I was some foolish girl who didn't understand the world. "Evelyn, come on. Do you really think marriages in families like ours are about love? You were suitable at the time, that's all."
My stomach twisted. "Suitable."
"You looked good on my arm. You were ambitious, well-mannered, intelligent. But at the end of the day, you were never going to be one of us." He studied me like I was some old investment that hadn't paid off. "And Lena… well, let's just say she was a better fit."
I could have screamed. I could have thrown something.
But instead, I laughed.
A slow, hollow laugh that made Daniel's smirk falter just slightly.
"You know what's funny?" I murmured. "I actually came here thinking I wanted answers. That maybe you could give me some kind of closure." I leaned forward, placing my hands on his desk. "But now I see the truth."
"And what's that?" he asked, frowning.
I smiled. A sharp, dangerous smile.
"That you're not worth my anger."
I straightened, turning toward the door. "Goodbye, Daniel."
I didn't look back as I left his office, stepping into the hallway with my head high.
I had nothing left to say to him.
But as I walked back toward the elevator, a deep voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Impressive."
I turned.
Nathaniel Lancaster stood there, watching me with that unreadable gaze of his. Unlike his son, he didn't smirk. He didn't look amused. He simply studied me as if he was assessing something.
"Mr. Lancaster," I said, schooling my expression into neutrality.
"Nathaniel," he corrected smoothly, taking a step closer. "I heard what you said to my son just now."
I lifted my chin. "Eavesdropping, were you?"
His lips twitched slightly. "Call it… curiosity."
I exhaled. "If you're here to lecture me on why I should keep quiet and not embarrass your family, save your breath. I have no interest in playing this game anymore."
Nathaniel tilted his head. "No?"
"No."
Silence stretched between us.
Then, his next words changed everything.
"That's a shame," he murmured. "Because I think you could have won."
I frowned. "What?"
Nathaniel's gaze was steady, calculating. "You came here today hoping to find some way to make Daniel suffer, didn't you?"
My silence was answer enough.
He took another step closer. "Then don't waste your energy on pointless arguments. There's a far better way to win."
I crossed my arms. "And what exactly are you suggesting?"
Nathaniel smiled, but there was nothing warm about it.
"Marry me."
The air between us crackled.
I let out a breathless laugh. "That's not funny."
"It wasn't a joke."
I stared at him. "You want me to marry you?"
His expression didn't change. "It would benefit us both. You get power, protection, and the ability to make Daniel—and the rest of them—pay for what they did to you."
Madness.
Insanity.
And yet…
I imagined walking through Lancaster Tower not as the discarded ex-fiancée but as Mrs. Lancaster.
I met Nathaniel's gaze.
Slowly—deliberately—
I held out my hand.
"Make it worth my while."
Nathaniel smirked.
"Oh, I will."