Chapter 425

"Unfortunately, it was too late." His voice was heavy with regret. "Your mother was in the final stages of the illness and didn't have much time left. That's why she chose to leave."

A pause. Then, softer—

"But before she went, Sebastian gave her the antibody. There were only two in existence. He kept one for himself and entrusted the other to your mother. I believe she injected it before deciding to conceive. Otherwise, your father would have been infected too, and you—"

Edmund hesitated, his gaze flickering over Evelyn's face before he fell silent.

Her heart clenched. "So that's why my blood is different?"

Isabella had made the choice to inject herself while pregnant, even though the serum couldn't save her. She had done it to protect Richard—and to ensure Evelyn wouldn't inherit the virus.

Had she known all along that she wouldn't survive? Had she planned her departure meticulously, leaving nothing to chance? But then—why marry Richard, a man she barely knew, instead of returning to Sebastian, her first love?

"Evelyn," Edmund said carefully, "remember what I told you about keeping your blood's properties a secret?"

She nodded, curiosity burning in her chest.

He leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "The virus can't infect you. And the sleeper virus outbreak wasn't natural. It was engineered."

Back at the hotel, Evelyn's mind still spun with questions.

Chloe, waiting for her in the lobby, took one look at her pale face and frowned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Evelyn forced a smile.

The Viana Jewelry Show had ended without her. She'd left before the final verdict, but right now, the results were the last thing on her mind.

Upstairs, she stepped under the shower's scalding spray, trying to wash away the weight of Edmund's words. The sleeper virus—man-made. A deliberate act of destruction.

Who would do something like that? Who could be so ruthless?

Wrapped in a robe, she towel-dried her hair when a knock sounded at the door.

She opened it—and barely had time to register Nathan's presence before she launched herself into his arms.

He caught her effortlessly, his low chuckle vibrating against her skin. "Missed me that much?"

"You have no idea," she mumbled into his shoulder.

His hands settled at her waist, warm and familiar. "Did you eat?"

"Not yet." She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. "Where were you?"

"Handling some business." He nudged the door shut with his foot, his gaze darkening as it trailed over her. The robe clung to damp skin, the scent of her shampoo sweet in the air.

One brow arched.

Then, without warning, he scooped her up.

Evelyn yelped as he carried her to the couch, depositing her onto his lap. Her arms looped around his neck instinctively.

"What took so long?" she asked, fingers playing with the hair at his nape.

Nathan's hands slid beneath the robe's belt, teasing but controlled. His voice was pure velvet. "Half a day apart, and you're already this clingy?"

She laughed, unrepentant. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"Is that so?" His lips curved, slow and dangerous. "Then how do you plan to show it?"

Heat flooded her cheeks as his fingers traced higher. "You're already doing plenty."

"Am I?" He feigned innocence, even as his touch grew bolder.

Evelyn squirmed, breath hitching when his thumb brushed a sensitive spot. "N-Nathan—"

He finally stilled, but his smirk was anything but innocent. "Seems like you're the one taking advantage now."