Chapter 36

When Alexander posed that question, Evelyn already knew what was coming.

The nurse on the other end of the line confirmed her suspicions. "Lung cancer? Aside from his mental health, his physical condition is perfectly fine. There's no way he has lung cancer. You must be mistaken."

Evelyn's blood ran cold.

Before Alexander could hang up, the nurse added, "You mentioned he's missing? He did disappear for a while before, but he said his niece told him to hide—that they were playing hide and seek."

Evelyn's breath hitched.

Everything clicked into place.

Her grandfather wasn’t sick. He wasn’t kidnapped. This was all Victoria’s doing.

"Evelyn, I see now." Victoria struck first, her voice trembling with fake tears. "You made your grandfather hide just to frame me for kidnapping him. How could you? I’ve always treated you like a sister!"

Margaret jumped in, her voice shrill. "You ungrateful wretch! After everything the Lancasters have done for you—raising you, paying for your education—this is how you repay us? First, you steal Victoria’s fiancé, and now you pull this despicable stunt?"

The two women hurled accusations at Evelyn, their words sharp as knives.

Evelyn felt hollow.

There was no point explaining. Victoria had set this trap perfectly.

Even if she screamed the truth until her voice gave out, the man standing before her would never believe her.

Still, she looked at Alexander, desperation in her eyes. "I don’t care if you believe me, but I didn’t do any of this."

Crack!

A sharp slap sent her head snapping to the side. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth.

The pain burned, but it was nothing compared to the way Alexander was looking at her—like she was something vile.

"Evelyn, you’re not just cruel. You’re heartless. You’d curse your own grandfather and set up Victoria just to manipulate me. You must have a death wish."

Evelyn let out a bitter laugh.

Fool.

The man she loved was a blind fool.

"Alexander! My stomach—it hurts!" Victoria suddenly cried out, clutching her abdomen dramatically. "Our baby—something’s wrong!"

Margaret gasped. "That slap must have hurt the baby! Alexander, get her to the hospital now!"

His face darkened as he scooped Victoria into his arms. "Don’t worry. Our son will be fine."

Son.

He had already checked the baby’s gender with her.

Evelyn’s heart shattered. "She’s faking, Alexander! Are you really this blind?"

Thud!

Before she could react, Richard’s foot connected with her chest, sending her crashing into the nearby bushes. Jagged branches sliced into her palms, reopening old wounds.

She staggered to her feet, defiance in her eyes.

Then the metallic taste flooded her throat.

Blood spilled from her lips.