Chapter 467

Time was slipping through her fingers like sand.

The heavy door slammed shut with finality as the black sedan vanished into the inky darkness. Evelyn remained frozen in place, her vision blurred by unshed tears that now splattered against her leather shoes like shattered rose petals.

Sophia rushed forward, gripping her friend's shoulders. "Evelyn, why cling to someone who's already—"

"You wouldn't understand." Evelyn's voice cut sharper than winter frost. The harsh streetlights stretched her shadow into a distorted silhouette of grief. After an eternity of silence, she whispered, "Take me back to Vanderbilt Manor, please."

She never raised her eyes.

Adrian studied her for a long moment before nodding. "I'll get the car." The drive passed in suffocating silence. When they arrived, Evelyn clutched her phone like a lifeline, murmured her thanks, and disappeared through the wrought iron gates without a backward glance.

Adrian watched until the manor doors swallowed her whole. His brow furrowed as he tapped out a rapid message on his phone.

Meanwhile, at the Goldmann estate...

Nathan staggered through the grand foyer, crimson droplets staining his lips. His knuckles turned white against the banister as violent coughs wracked his body.

I'm sorry, Zoe.

The words burned in his throat as his vision swam with unshed tears.

Alfred gasped when he flicked on the lights. "Master Goldmann!"

Oliver arrived with the family physician in record time. They hovered outside the bedroom door as the doctor examined his patient.

"He went out?" Oliver's frown deepened at Nathan's deteriorating condition. The virus remained their deadly secret - its revelation would cause citywide panic.

The physician confirmed the fever would rage for days. No conventional medications could touch it. "He must endure the storm," the doctor said gravely.

Alfred wrung his hands. "He returned worse than when he left. Is it... contagious?"

Oliver hesitated. That was one word for it.

His phone vibrated with Theodore's call. Stepping away, he answered tersely. "Not good, sir."

A weighted pause. "Keep him alive until my plane lands."

Sleep eluded Evelyn that night.

Morning found her at the breakfast table, her porcelain skin stretched too tight over sharp cheekbones. Dark smudges beneath her eyes betrayed her sleepless vigil.

Richard set a steaming bowl before her. "Zoe, perhaps a holiday? This self-destruction serves no one."

She managed two spoonfuls before pushing it away. Food had lost all meaning these days.

"I'll have the children brought home," she said suddenly, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "They shouldn't see me like this."

Richard nodded his approval.

A quick text to Gregory ensured her office would manage without her.

The café where Sophia worked provided temporary refuge. Her friend slid a cappuccino across the table. "If you're running away, take me with you. Every tragic heroine needs comic relief."