Chapter 38

Evelyn returned to Blackwood Estate with heavy steps. She intended to gather her belongings and leave immediately. But when her gaze fell upon the tiny baby outfits draped over the armchair, her hands moved of their own accord.

The soft fabric crumpled between her fingers as an unbearable ache spread through her chest. These were the clothes Alexander had personally selected for Victoria's unborn child.

Her palm pressed against her own three-month bump. Hot tears threatened to spill, but she blinked them away fiercely.

How pathetic she was. After all the cruelty he'd shown her, her treacherous heart still yearned for that impossible love.

Evelyn grabbed one set of baby clothes and descended the grand staircase. The universe seemed to mock her when she collided with Alexander and Victoria at the foyer.

The sight of Victoria clinging to Alexander's arm sent a thousand needles piercing through Evelyn's heart.

"Evelyn, where are you off to?" Victoria fluttered her lashes with fake concern. Her eyes zeroed in on the tiny garment. "Oh! Did you go shopping for my baby? How thoughtful of you!"

Evelyn had never encountered a mistress with such audacity.

Her lips curled in disgust. "You flaunt your pregnancy with a married man like it's some achievement. Your shamelessness knows no bounds."

Victoria's face crumpled. She turned watery eyes toward Alexander. "Maybe I should go home. Evelyn's jealousy is getting dangerous. I don't care if she hurts me, but our baby—"

The innocent act was transparent, designed solely to provoke Alexander's wrath.

"You're not the one leaving." Alexander's glacial stare pinned Evelyn in place. "Get out. And stay out of Victoria's sight." His gaze dropped to the baby clothes in her hands. "Those are for my child with Victoria. How dare you touch them? Don't you know how contaminated you are? My son won't wear anything tainted by your filth."

Filth. His son.

The words carved fresh wounds in Evelyn's shattered heart. She searched the face she'd loved for twelve years and found only hatred.

"Alexander, why do you despise me so? Just because I begged for your touch? Is that why I repulse you now? But that night—"

"Evelyn," Victoria interrupted sweetly, stepping forward with fake concern. "Can you blame Alexander? He has standards. After all those men you slept with for money—"

A bitter laugh caught in Evelyn's throat. Every saccharine word from Victoria dripped with venom, yet Alexander swallowed them whole.

His expression darkened as he pulled Victoria back. "Don't soil yourself touching her. Let's go upstairs."

As they turned away, Victoria shot Evelyn a triumphant smirk over her shoulder. The knife twisted deeper.

Evelyn knew then—no matter what she did, Alexander's contempt would follow her like a shadow.

She forced herself to focus on survival. On protecting the life growing inside her. There was still hope if she could just hold on until delivery.

The next day, Evelyn transferred Henry to a different hospital. The previous nurse had clearly been in Victoria's pocket.

After ensuring her grandfather's comfort, she found herself pausing outside an upscale baby boutique.

Two tiny outfits—one powder blue, one blush pink—ended up in her shopping bag. Just in case.