Chapter 5: The Unfinished Battle

Natalie had barely taken a step into her penthouse when her phone rang again. She sighed, her muscles already tense from her earlier encounter with Adrian’s lawyer. Tossing her purse onto the marble counter, she glanced at the screen.

*Adrian Sinclair.*

She clenched her jaw. It had taken everything in her to keep her cool in that law office, to make it clear that she was done with his games. And yet, here he was, trying to pull her back into his orbit.

Her finger hovered over the decline button, but something inside her hesitated. If she ignored him now, he’d only keep pushing. She needed to make her stance crystal clear.

Taking a steadying breath, she answered. “What do you want, Adrian?”

Silence. For a brief second, she thought he might have hung up, but then his voice came through, smooth and unreadable. “We need to talk.”

“We did talk. Through your lawyer,” she shot back. “And my answer remains the same.”

“This isn’t about the divorce settlement.”

Her grip on the phone tightened. “Then what?”

Adrian’s voice dropped an octave, a quiet demand laced in his tone. “I want to see you. In person.”

Natalie exhaled sharply. “And why would I agree to that?”

“Because,” he said, pausing just long enough to make her pulse jump, “there are things you don’t know. Things I need to tell you.”

She scoffed, pacing toward the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the city skyline. “Is that right? Funny how those ‘things’ weren’t important when you were parading around with Madeline.”

“Natalie—”

“No.” Her voice was sharper than she intended, but she didn’t care. “You don’t get to call me like this and expect me to just drop everything. You had years to tell me whatever you think is so damn important. And you wasted every second of it.”

A long pause stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Then, Adrian sighed. “I won’t stop until you hear me out.”

She let out a humorless laugh. “Then you’ll be wasting your time.”

Before he could respond, she ended the call and tossed her phone onto the couch. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she forced herself to breathe. He was grasping at straws now, desperate to keep a hold on her.

But she was done being his puppet.

---

The next morning, Natalie stepped into her office at *Evans Holdings*, her family’s real estate empire, which she had largely ignored during her marriage. But not anymore.

She had spent years playing the trophy wife, standing in Adrian’s shadow while he built his empire. Now, it was her turn to reclaim what was hers.

As she strode through the sleek, modern office space, employees turned to greet her, some surprised, others nodding with approval. She knew what they were thinking—*The forgotten Evans daughter has returned.*

“Natalie!”

She turned just in time to see Henry Walsh, the company’s vice president and a longtime family friend, approaching her with a warm smile. He was in his late fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and an air of authority that came from years of experience.

“You look like a woman on a mission,” he said, falling into step beside her.

“I am,” she admitted. “It’s time I start pulling my weight around here.”

He chuckled. “Your father would be proud.”

Her chest tightened at the mention of her late father. He had always wanted her to take over the company, but she had been too caught up in Adrian’s world to see where she truly belonged.

Pushing past the memories, she nodded. “I want a full briefing on our current projects. And I want to be involved in the next big deal.”

Henry arched a brow. “Are you sure you’re ready for that? Sinclair Enterprises is one of our biggest competitors. This could get… complicated.”

Natalie met his gaze without hesitation. “I don’t care. I’m not afraid of Adrian.”

A slow smile spread across Henry’s face. “Good. Then let’s get to work.”

---

That evening, Natalie arrived at an exclusive charity gala hosted by one of the city’s wealthiest philanthropists. It was her first major event since the divorce announcement, and she knew the vultures would be circling.

As she stepped into the grand ballroom, heads turned. She was no longer the quiet, demure Mrs. Sinclair. Tonight, she was Natalie Evans—confident, untouchable, and in complete control.

She barely made it two steps before a familiar voice called out.

“Natalie.”

She turned, expecting another socialite or investor. Instead, her stomach twisted.

Adrian.

He stood near the bar, dressed in a tailored black suit that did little to soften his imposing presence. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, locked onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

She held her ground as he approached, her expression unreadable. “Crashing charity events now, Adrian?”

His lips twitched. “Hardly. I was invited.”

“Pity. I was hoping security would throw you out.”

He smirked. “Always so sharp.”

She folded her arms. “If this is another attempt to ‘talk,’ don’t bother. I have nothing to say to you.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You might want to reconsider.”

“Why? Because you suddenly decided I’m worth your time?”

His jaw tensed, but his voice remained calm. “Because someone is trying to ruin you, Natalie.”

She blinked. “What?”

Adrian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I got a tip this morning. Someone is leaking information to the press—about your financials, your company, and…” He hesitated. “Your personal life.”

Her pulse quickened, but she masked it with a cold stare. “You expect me to believe you? After everything?”

His expression darkened. “Believe what you want. But you and I both know how this world works. The higher you rise, the harder people will try to tear you down.”

She wanted to dismiss him, to call him a liar and walk away. But deep down, a sliver of unease settled in her gut.

She had enemies. And if Adrian was right, they were already making their move.

Her voice was quiet, but firm. “Who?”

He met her gaze, his next words sending a chill down her spine.

“Madeline.”

Natalie’s blood ran cold. Of course. She should have known.

Adrian straightened. “You don’t have to trust me. But you should be prepared.”

For the first time since their marriage ended, Natalie felt something other than anger when she looked at Adrian.

A wary, reluctant alliance.

And that terrified her more than anything.