Chapter 240
The DNA test results had completely slipped Evelyn's mind until Alexander brought it up.
His words confirmed what she'd suspected - she was indeed the biological mother of both children.
Before this, Evelyn had been about seventy percent certain. Now, she could finally breathe easy.
This confirmation should have been a moment of pure joy, but Evelyn found herself strangely subdued.
Her father's death overshadowed everything.
That painful reality haunted her, whether awake or asleep.
Every bit of good news seemed tainted by grief.
Alexander kicked off his tiny boots and scrambled onto the hospital bed. Finding insufficient space to sit cross-legged, he settled on his knees beside Evelyn.
Thankfully, the bed was spacious enough.
He took the steaming mug of milk from his mother's hands, noticing sediment at the bottom. Immediately, he grabbed a spoon to stir it.
"Eat your breakfast, Mommy," Alexander said as he mixed the white liquid. "There's protein powder in it. The doctor said you're too weak and need more nutrients."
Evelyn accepted the mug and sipped slowly.
The persistent boy kept offering more food even after she finished drinking.
Isabella handed her mother a napkin to wipe her mouth.
Though overwhelmed with grief and finding everything flavorless, Evelyn appreciated her children's loving gestures.
Their care warmed her broken heart.
She wondered what she'd done to deserve such wonderful children.
When school time arrived, Sebastian knocked and entered, leading the reluctant children away.
Dominic had been waiting outside the ward the entire time. He chose not to enter, instead entrusting the children with their mother's care.
Their presence always brightened Evelyn's day.
After twenty-four hours in police custody, Victoria and Sophia were released.
Standard procedure for their minor offense.
The mother-daughter duo's hospital disturbance only qualified as a misdemeanor.
Sophia turned on her phone outside the station, immediately bombarded with messages.
One stood out - from Lillian's assistant, Cassandra: [Where are you, Sophia? A burned finger doesn't warrant skipping work. It's not like your entire hand is broken.]
Sophia hadn't responded earlier because the police confiscated her phone.
Cassandra's follow-up message arrived an hour later: [Think you're untouchable? If you want to make it in this industry, show some professionalism. No notice, no reply - who do you think you are?]
"Bitch!" Sophia sneered. She barely respected Lillian, let alone her assistant.
'Who does Cassandra think she is? Just another celebrity lapdog. Does she think she's famous too?'
'And that face - uglier than sin itself.'
Taking a deep breath, Sophia replied: [Sorry, Cassandra. Spent the night in jail, just got out. Where's today's shoot? Send location - I'm coming now!]
She snapped a selfie outside the police station and sent it.
Cassandra responded quickly: [Jail? What happened? Sending location. Hurry up.] [Thanks. Will explain when I see you.]
Celebrity assistant work was dull. No tabloid gossip compared to the juicy stories circulating among film crews.
Cassandra lived for drama. A colleague jailed overnight? That was prime gossip material.
Sophia hailed a cab and shoved her mother inside. "Go home alone. I've got work."
Victoria stumbled but caught herself on the doorframe. "Be careful with that burn on your face. And call Evelyn - politely."
"Relax, I know what I'm doing." Sophia turned and walked away.
Little did she know, greater troubles awaited - troubles involving Victor Langley.
Instead, she foolishly thought, 'What can Evelyn possibly do? Sue me for hurting her dead dad's feelings with words?'
'He deserved to die anyway!'
'The Sinclairs are all cursed with short lives!'
Victoria frowned as she watched her daughter skip away, then settled into the cab.
One night in jail had taught her fear.
But backed into a corner, she wasn't ready to surrender yet...
In his final years, Robert had focused on his second wife. Evelyn never resented this - she understood prioritizing a spouse over a child from a previous marriage.
After all, Robert had spent his life savings - tens of thousands - on Evelyn's tuition.
Though it only covered half a year, she remained grateful.
His death devastated Evelyn. Victoria worried that grief might turn to vengeance.
At the film set...
Sophia arrived bearing roasted chestnuts as peace offerings. She apologized and made up with Lillian's assistants.
The appeased assistants meant an easy workday for Sophia.
Night fell when Lillian finished shooting. Exhausted, she noticed Sophia but only offered a cold stare before retreating to her trailer.
Inside, Lillian checked her messages.
One stood out - from Genevieve:
[Lillian, keep the 26th free. Have your agent clear your schedule. Your father has a meeting and dinner that night - Dominic Blackwood will attend. You want to meet him, right? Your father agreed to introduce you. Don't waste this chance.]
Lillian's cheeks flushed as she typed her reply: [Understood, Mother. Thank you, dearest!]