Chapter 222

That single word shattered Evelyn's composure completely.

"Mommy."

For most people, it was the most natural word in existence. Often the first utterance from a baby's lips.

But for Evelyn Sinclair, it was a foreign luxury.

Foreign because she'd never had anyone to call "Mommy" since learning to speak.

Twenty-four years of life without ever speaking that cherished word.

Pregnant at eighteen. Separated from her babies at birth.

During her studies abroad, she'd seen countless young mothers. Some single, some clinging to equally young husbands. All with toddlers calling them "Mommy" in different languages.

Those sidewalk encounters always made her wonder about her own children.

Did they get to say that word like other kids? Maybe their fate would be kinder than hers.

Seasons changed, but she remained the solitary figure wandering foreign streets.

Wondering where they were. What they were doing. If they ever missed their mother like she'd missed hers.

Then reality struck when her father fell ill. Sentiment became a luxury she couldn't afford.

No room for fantasies about maternal love or family bonds.

She'd failed as a mother.

When Isabella called her "Mommy," Evelyn's breath caught. She pressed her lips tight, clutching the girl fiercely.

Silence filled the car's interior.

Through the rearview mirror, Dominic watched his daughter clinging to Evelyn.

Hearing that word, he finally felt like a real father. Sharing in Evelyn's parental pride.

Tears burned Evelyn's eyes, turning them crimson.

"What's wrong, Miss Eve? Don't you like me calling you Mommy?" Isabella blinked up at her with crystalline innocence. The resemblance struck Evelyn anew.

"No, darling. I love it." Evelyn's voice cracked as she gazed at the child who felt like her missing piece.

Confused by the tears, Isabella reached chubby fingers toward Evelyn's face—when her phone rang.

"Back to your seat, Isabella." Dominic's command held no warmth, only authority.

The girl obeyed instantly.

"Aunt Gwendolyn?" Evelyn answered shakily.

"Are you still in town? I'm transferring funds to you this afternoon."

"I'm in A City actually." Evelyn swallowed hard. "Aunt Gwendolyn, this amount is too much—"

"Your voice sounds strange. Are you crying?"

"Just...a cold."

"Since you're here, let's meet. You can tell me what's troubling you."

At 3 PM, they sat in a fifth-floor café overlooking the mall atrium. Gwendolyn sipped coffee from a brown cloth seat.

"I've never kept secrets from you, Evelyn. No children. Elderly father. Sick brother. Your grandfather said my brother feared your stepmother—that she was cruel. Did she hurt you?"

Evelyn avoided those painful memories. "It's in the past."

"I'm your only mobile relative. Who else should inherit my wealth?"

Evelyn couldn't accept it.

The woman before her wasn't old. Beautiful. Educated. Her previous marriage had been happy.

Yet fate had cursed her with an incurable disease.

During their first meeting in town, Gwendolyn had revealed her diagnosis and life expectancy.

That explained why she'd sent Evelyn's grandfather back alone before disappearing.

The initial terror and suffering had been unimaginable.

"If the money burdens you, here's an idea. You studied design, yes? Start your own studio. I have college friends in the industry who could help."

Evelyn remained hesitant.

"Consider it employment. Better than your current job with its overtime and no time for family. Working for others won't fulfill your dreams. Does your company even value you?"

The words struck deep.

Every design student entered the field with passion, but few achieved success.

Without connections, they became cogs in others' machines. A thankless grind.

Finding Evelyn stubborn, Gwendolyn took her shopping after coffee.

Evelyn insisted she didn't need skincare products.

They eventually reached a lingerie boutique.

"Seeing anyone?" Gwendolyn asked abruptly in the intimate apparel section, eyeing her niece's conservative attire.

"Sort of..." How could Evelyn explain this complicated situation?

"Crushing on someone but don't know how to attract him?"

Evelyn stayed silent.

"You should embrace your femininity. Judging by your clothes, your undergarments must be dreadful."

Gwendolyn selected three silk lingerie sets.

"Genuine silk. Follows every curve. No man can resist such delicate femininity."

Evelyn flushed crimson.

The designs were scandalously bold.

If Dominic ever saw her in these...