The judgment had ended before noon, but the emotional weight of it lingered long after. Even as they left the courthouse, Evelyn felt as though her body was still inside that room, standing in front of the judge and hearing the gavel fall.
It was over.
The marriage that had consumed her was finally over.
Selene looped her arm through hers as they exited the courthouse. "So, what now? Champagne? Karaoke? Or do we cry into takeout boxes first?"
Evelyn managed a laugh. "You're assuming I still have tears left."
"Then champagne it is."
By the time they got home, Evelyn had kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the sofa. The entire apartment smelled faintly of lavender. She stared at the ceiling for a long time until Selene dropped down beside her.
"Hey. No zoning out. You did it. You actually got out."
Evelyn smiled weakly. "It doesn't feel real yet."
Selene tilted her head, studying her face. "You know what'll make it real? Good food. Real food. Not whatever miserable salads you used to make when Nathan was policing your meals."
Evelyn couldn't help but laugh. Now that she thought about it, she had endured far more than younger her would have thought.
The meals in that house were utterly disgusting. She perked up at the thought of having a good meal. She already had somewhere in mind.
They changed into more comfortable clothes and headed to Imperial Kitchen to celebrate. Evelyn also told Miles about it. She owed him a meal.
When they got there, he was already waiting.
"Hello ladies."
Evelyn noticed the way his eyes stayed a beat longer on Selene and giggled secretly to herself.
As they settled in, the waiter brought over their steaming plates and cold drinks.
All through the meal, the two kept exchanging secret glances and it was as if they were communicating in code. Evelyn had thought that it was Miles' unilateral affection but from the look of things, something fishy was going on between them.
She side eyed Selene who almost choked on her drink. She sighed helplessly and Evelyn shrugged.
Her smile grew even wider when she saw Miles scramble to hand Selene a tissue. He seems to have only realized what he did and turned to Evelyn with slight awkwardness in his face.
Under Selene's pleading gaze, Evelyn cleared her throat artificially.
"I need to use the restroom. You two have fun."
She slipped out of the table and headed in the direction pointed out to her by a waiter.
The hallway leading to the restrooms was quieter, the buzz of the restaurant fading into soft instrumental music. Evelyn followed the sign to the women's room and stepped inside.
The air smelled faintly of jasmine soap and lemon disinfectant.
She stepped into the women's room and stood in front of a mirror. She splashed water on her face a few times and wiped it with some tissues.
She wanted to do something to pass time but realized she had forgotten to bring her phone. Oh well, she would have to improvise.
She hummed a few songs, almost making it a whole performance. Fortunately, no one came in during this time so she basically had the whole bathroom to herself.
When her throat was starting to get dry, she decided they must have had enough time to talk. She then fixed her hair, and turned to leave.
Just as she stepped out, she collided headfirst with someone. Although it was more like head to chest.
"Oh, I'm so sor—"
Her words caught in her throat.
The man she bumped into steadied her instinctively, one hand at her elbow. "Careful," he said, voice low and smooth.
She looked up.
He was tall, dressed in a dark charcoal suit that clung gracefully to his muscles. His grey eyes held hers a second too long before he blinked and stepped back.
This man was the epitome of rich tall and handsome. And she recognized him. Damon Blackwood, the man on the cover of both financial magazines and one known as the most desired bachelor in the country. And her ex-husbands self proclaimed enemy.
"I am sorry, didn't see you there," she managed, embarrassed. This was the first time she had been in such a situation before and was somewhat at a loss.
"No harm done," he said. His gaze flicked to her face again, as if trying to place her. "You're alright?"
"Yes." She forced a small smile. "Thank you."
She stood there awkwardly waiting for him to move but he just stood in place. She looked up at him.
"Could you please..?"
He looked down at her. Instead of moving, he asked a question.
"I heard you got divorced."
Evelyn was stunned.
"What?"
Did news travel around that fast? It hasn't even been three hours.
He repeated.
"I heard, that your marriage ended this morning."
Although she didn't know why he was asking, it wasn't a secret anyways so she nodded.
"Yes, I just gained my freedom back."
A small smile graced his lips.
"Congratulations."
Evelyn smiled as well, unsure of how to react, she opted for a neutral response.
"Thank you."
She assumed he would be leaving now, he did something that overturned that thought.
He nodded slightly, as though confirming something to himself. Then, in that same steady voice that sounded almost too casual for the words he said next, he said:
"Marry me."
Evelyn thought she had heard it wrong. She blinked a few times as looked at the handsome man standing in front of her.
Her love for attractiveness couldn't be making her hallucinate now right?
"Pardon?"
He met her gaze.
"I'm asking you to marry me."
Evelyn was stunned speechless. He couldn't possibly be serious.
"Mr Blackwood this joke is not funny."
He frowned slightly.
"I'm not making a joke."
Evelyn laughed angrily.
"The what are you doing if not making a mockery of me? I don't know what problems you and Nathan have but take it out on him and leave me out of it."
Damon pursed his lips slightly. He reached into his coast and took out a card then stuffed it into her hand and walked off.
"Call me."
Evelyn stared at his back and had the feeling that he was fleeing. She shook her head slightly at the weirdness of the whole situation and walked back to her table.