Chapter 238

"You've known him for three years but Amelia's already two?" Alexander's brows knitted together. His piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn. "That would mean you got together with him right after meeting."

"Sebastian and I had an instant connection," Evelyn answered without hesitation, meeting his stare head-on. "I knew immediately he was the one I wanted to build a family with. Is that so hard to believe?"

Alexander's chest tightened, those buried suspicions resurfacing with renewed intensity.

"Alexander!"

Victoria's shrill voice shattered the moment.

Evelyn turned to see the woman rushing toward them, her perfectly styled hair bouncing with each step. When their eyes met, Victoria's gaze burned with undisguised hatred.

She looked remarkably different from the frail figure Evelyn had seen in the rain that day. Victoria latched onto Alexander's arm, her manicured nails digging into his sleeve as she glared at their proximity.

"Alexander, Ethan is missing!" she cried.

Ethan was gone?

Evelyn's pulse stuttered inexplicably, a strange unease coiling in her stomach despite her composed exterior.

She noticed something peculiar - while Victoria wore her usual mask of concern, Alexander's expression remained disturbingly calm.

As if the child meant nothing to him.

"He can't have gone far," Alexander said coolly, finally releasing Evelyn's wrist. "There's no need for panic."

"You should look for him, Mr. Blackwood," Evelyn found herself saying. "This place is crowded, and there could be dangerous people around. Ethan is your only heir. You wouldn't want anything to happen to him."

"Obviously!" Victoria sneered, tossing her hair. "Ethan is our flesh and blood. Of course Alexander cares—"

"He's not my only child."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Both women froze. Evelyn watched as a faint, unreadable smile touched Alexander's lips.

"Alexander," Victoria tugged at his arm, her voice turning saccharine. "Let's go find our son. These... distractions aren't worth your time."

Though irritation flickered across Alexander's features, he allowed himself to be led away. But not before casting one last intense look at Evelyn that left her skin tingling.

After taking Amelia to the restroom, Evelyn returned to the restaurant where Sebastian had just ordered their meals.

"Daddy!" Amelia squealed, running into Sebastian's waiting arms.

"There's my princess," he cooed, settling her into the high chair before noticing Evelyn's distracted expression. "What's wrong?"

"I ran into Alexander," Evelyn admitted. "He and Victoria brought Ethan here, but apparently they've lost him."

"Lost him?" Sebastian's grip tightened slightly on his menu. "You mean he's missing?"

"I'm not sure. But I get the feeling Victoria isn't as concerned as she pretends to be." Evelyn bit her lip, then met Sebastian's understanding gaze. "Could you watch Amelia? I need to step out for a bit."

"Going to look for Ethan?" Sebastian guessed accurately.

Evelyn nodded. "Regardless of who his mother is, he's just an innocent child." After kissing Amelia's forehead, she hurried out.

The warmth drained from Sebastian's eyes as he watched her leave.

Evelyn searched alone, catching glimpses of Alexander and Victoria combing through the crowds, their efforts appearing increasingly half-hearted.

As dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, the amusement park began emptying. With only minutes until closing, Evelyn's anxiety grew.

Her worry for Ethan felt irrational yet overwhelming, eclipsing all other thoughts.

Sebastian called to say he'd wait at the parking lot. Hanging up, Evelyn continued her frantic search as darkness descended.

Then she remembered Ethan's odd behavior during his visit to her home. A realization struck.

"Could he be...?" Her breath caught as she turned toward the park's western edge.