Chapter 18 Graham's quiet watch over Evelyn happened mostly at night . Evelyn sometimes stayed late at Harborbend Community High to sort lesson plans or prep for classes ; she often didn't leave until well after dark . Graham's Jeep waited in the alley's darkest corner , silent and out of sight . He watched the light in her classroom go out and saw her slender silhouette step through the school gates . Then he would get out of his car and shadow her from a distance - hundreds of yards behind- just close enough to make sure she reached that rundown apartment safely . Only after he heard the faint click of her door locking upstairs did he turn back and return to the cold solitude of his room at the Crestwood Suites . He watched her adapt to life here : from a quiet withdrawal to the small , private laughs she shared with colleagues . He noticed her walking beneath the sycamores in a plain blue dress , calm and quietly resilient . The knowledge that she was doing well - without him - burned at him day and night . Graham grew quieter , more withdrawn . He smoked constantly ; the ashtray in his hotel room was always overflowing . He stood at the window and stared toward the high school for hours at a stretch , his eyes heavy with pain and an ache of regret he couldn't untangle . Through an old war buddy he began routing anonymous donations to nonprofit education programs in Evelyn's hometown . He sent money to the orphanage there , too . In the memo line of every transfer he wrote two words : For Redemption . As if that distant , silent gesture could ease the weight of his guilt . Then another man arrived , and his torment deepened . It was a Saturday afternoon . Graham had parked his Jeep , as usual , well away from the school gates . He saw Evelyn come out - but instead of heading straight home she waited at the entrance . A young man in a white button - up and khakis rode up on a bicycle . He was tall , composed , with wire - rimmed glasses that gave him a scholarly look . He dismounted , reached into his bike basket , and handed Evelyn two books wrapped in brown paper , offering them with an easy smile . Chapter 18 78.26 % Graham was too far away to hear what they said , but he saw the faint , genuine smile that crossed Evelyn's face as she took the books . She nodded and exchanged a few words . The man tilted his head when he spoke ; his expression was attentive and kind . It was a look Graham had never seen on her before - a relaxed , almost admiring smile . His fist clenched so hard the veins stood out on the back of his hand . Jealousy , sharp and poisonous , shot through him . His eyes stung red at the urge to run over and explode - then shame and powerlessness slammed into him . What right did he have to barge up ? To do what - call himself her ex - husband ? The bastard who'd hurt her so badly? All he could do was crouch in the dark , like a rat in the gutter , and watch helplessly as the scene unfolded . Jealousy gnawed at his heart until his body shook . He was in pain , but he didn't even have the right to make a sound . Later , after some careful questions to Julian - his friend at Harborbend city hall - Graham learned the man's name : Nathan Reed . The youngest , most promising staffer at the city library , a PhD from a top university , well - read and upright , from a respectable family . Nathan was overseeing a partnership between the high school and the library , which was how he'd met Evelyn . He admired the way she kept pursuing knowledge despite everything . He lent her books , and sometimes he invited her to literary salons and lectures at the library that weren't open to the general public . " Miss Hart's had a rough go , " Julian said casually . " She looks fragile , but she's tougher than she seems . Nathan's a good guy - no ego , sharp mind . He's looked out for her . " Every word stabbed Graham like a blade . Looked out for her ? Who was he to look out for her ? Did Nathan even know what she was to him ? Graham swallowed the words down . He had lost any claim to her long ago . Chapter 18 78.26 % Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!