Chapter 12

Evelyn's mind went completely blank. The world around her seemed to freeze.

"Evie. Evie."

After what felt like an eternity, Evelyn heard her name being called.

She blinked back to reality and saw a familiar face - her only true friend, Olivia Bennett.

Olivia took one look at Evelyn's ghostly pale complexion and felt fury bubble up inside her.

"Evelyn Sinclair, you absolute idiot! How could you keep something this huge from me?"

Evelyn frowned in confusion. "Olivia? What are you doing here?"

"Me? You're the one who called me last night slurring your words before passing out mid-sentence." Olivia pressed a palm to Evelyn's forehead. "Did you get amnesia or something?"

Of course Evelyn remembered. She remembered Alexander's hands around her throat. She remembered him leaving her crumpled on the floor after she hit her abdomen against the bed frame. The way he'd walked away without a backward glance, his cruel words still ringing in her ears.

The memory cut through her like shards of glass.

Olivia sat heavily on the hospital bed, her expression grave. "Where's Alexander? Your husband should be here, not gallivanting God knows where."

Evelyn avoided her gaze. "He's... busy with work."

"Busy with that mistress of his, Victoria Lancaster, you mean?" Olivia spat out the name like poison.

"Evelyn, you're so obsessed with that man you've lost all sense. Look at you! And you're still making excuses for him."

Evelyn let out a hollow laugh. "Love makes you stupid, I guess."

"Well you won't be loving him much longer." Olivia never minced words. "Did you hear what Dr. Hayes said earlier?"

Evelyn froze. The way Olivia was looking at her made her stomach drop.

"You can always have another baby. Your life comes first."

Evelyn's laugh was bitter. "There won't be another chance."

Olivia frowned in confusion. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Evelyn suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Olivia, promise me you won't tell anyone. Especially Alexander."

"Are you out of your damn mind? You'd risk your life for this pregnancy?"

Olivia shot to her feet, ready to unleash her fury, when Evelyn's phone rang with Alexander's custom tone.

Evelyn's hands trembled as she checked the caller ID. After three rings, she answered.

"Evelyn, is this some kind of joke?" Alexander's cold voice cut through the line.

She had no idea what he meant.

"If you're not home in thirty minutes, don't bother coming back at all."

Then she remembered - today was his mother's fiftieth birthday party. As his wife, her attendance was mandatory.

Before she could respond, Olivia snatched the phone. "Alexander Blackwood, is this how a husband behaves? Do you even know your wife is—"

Panicked, Evelyn grabbed the phone back. "I'll be right there!" She hung up before Olivia could finish.

Olivia glared at her with undisguised disappointment, but had no choice. As she helped Evelyn into a cab, she gripped her shoulders tightly. "Take care of yourself, you hear me?"

Evelyn nodded weakly.

When Evelyn arrived at Blackwood Estate, the party was in full swing. Society's elite mingled in the gardens, their designer outfits glittering under the string lights. In her hospital-issued gray sweats, Evelyn looked like she'd wandered in from another universe.

Head down, she searched for Alexander. Then a woman turned abruptly, spilling red wine down the front of Evelyn's shirt.

"My Valentino!" The woman shrieked, glaring at Evelyn. "Watch where you're going, you clumsy oaf! What kind of help does the Blackwoods hire these days?"