Chapter 231
The apartment was quiet when Evelyn and Dominic returned.
Evelyn tiptoed into the children's rooms to check on them.
Alexander and Isabella were fast asleep, though the boy had kicked off his blanket again.
She picked it up from the floor and gently tucked him back in.
The beds were too small for an adult.
With no other option, Evelyn had to share the master bedroom with Dominic.
She climbed into bed, exhaustion weighing her down.
Through the half-open door, she could see Dominic still working in the study.
Sebastian had warned her about Dominic's work habits.
When immersed in projects, he often forgot to eat or sleep.
The small town development project consumed him completely.
Stacks of documents and endless meetings filled his days.
Between work and...other activities, he was burning the candle at both ends.
Morning light filtered through the curtains.
Sophia's fever had finally broken.
"Are you ready yet, Mom?" Sophia stood by the door, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Almost! Just one more second!" Victoria fussed with her makeup in the hallway mirror.
As Victoria struggled with her heels, Sophia sighed.
"Maybe bringing you was a mistake."
Victoria's face fell. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Sophia gestured at her mother's garish makeup.
"If you don't know how to apply it properly, just go without. You're embarrassing."
Victoria touched her face self-consciously.
"I think it looks fine."
Sophia rolled her eyes and marched out.
Victoria hurried after her.
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet.
As they stepped off the elevator, both women froze.
Armed guards lined the hallway.
It looked more like a VIP protection detail than a hospital ward.
"State your business." A plainclothes security officer blocked their path.
Sophia stepped forward confidently.
"We're here to see Robert Sinclair. This is his wife."
The officer's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Sophia continued smoothly, "Could you please inform Uncle Robert we're here? He'll want to see us."
Five guards watched them closely.
Dominic had ordered Sebastian to station them there.
It was a precaution against Beatrice's schemes.
Unable to target Dominic or Evelyn directly, she might go after Robert instead.
The head guard disappeared into the private room.
When he returned, he motioned them forward.
Robert looked worse than they remembered.
Chemotherapy had ravaged his body.
Victoria perched on the edge of the bed.
"I haven't visited because I've been working three jobs. You know how tight money is since the kids' tuition."
Robert's breathing grew labored.
Undeterred, Victoria pressed on.
"I'm your legal wife now. I've spent more years with you than Evelyn's mother ever did. You promised to treat Sophia like your own daughter..."
Sophia studied the dying man.
His skin had taken on a grayish hue.
A coughing fit seized Robert.
Victoria didn't reach to comfort him.
"Listen," she said urgently, "Evelyn landed herself a billionaire. I don't care if she's his mistress or wife - she's set for life. All I'm asking is you sign over the house to Sophia before..."
Robert's coughs turned violent.
His frail body convulsed against the pillows.
Sophia stepped closer.
"Uncle Robert, are you upset? Surely you agree it's a fair request?"
Victoria elbowed her daughter aside.
She knew Robert's weakness - persistence always wore him down.
Sophia shoved her mother away.
Her voice turned icy.
"Let's cut the act. Sign over the house today, or I'll expose all of Evelyn's dirty secrets. If you're too weak to discipline your daughter, I'll do it for you."
Robert's breathing became a death rattle.
His fingers clawed at the sheets.
Neither woman noticed.
They were too busy plotting how to spend the inheritance.