Chapter 406

William stared at Vivian Prescott with confusion clouding his features.

"Why did you send my wife to the hospital, Miss Prescott?"

"That's because—"

Before Vivian could explain, heart-wrenching sobs erupted from inside the hospital room.

William's face paled, and he immediately turned to rush inside.

Taking a steadying breath, Vivian followed, her expression carefully composed.

Eleanor had woken—and she was weeping uncontrollably.

William hurried to her side, concern etching deep lines into his forehead. "Eleanor, what's wrong? Why are you crying like this?"

Eleanor finally seemed to register his presence. She lifted her tear-streaked face, her red-rimmed eyes filled with unbearable agony.

"Why is fate so cruel to us, William? Why...?"

Her voice broke as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

William's heart pounded with dread. "What are you talking about? Please, don't cry. Just tell me what happened."

Eleanor let out a bitter, broken laugh. Then, with trembling hands, she pulled out a gold pendant from her pocket.

"I found our daughter, William."

"What?" Hope flared in his chest. "You—you really found her? Where is she? Eleanor, where's our little girl?"

His excitement was short-lived. Eleanor closed her eyes, her entire body shaking with grief.

"She's gone. She's dead."

William staggered back as if struck. "Dead? No... that can't be."

"We helped kill her." Eleanor's voice was barely a whisper. "Evelyn Sinclair... she was our daughter."

The words hit William like a physical blow.

His breath left him in a rush, his vision swimming. The joy he'd felt moments ago turned to ash in his mouth.

Evelyn Sinclair—their daughter?

Memories assaulted him. The way he'd once struck her across the face. The way he'd kicked her to the ground to protect that imposter, Victoria.

He remembered how Evelyn had lain there, too broken to even stand.

Why did the memory make his chest ache so violently?

His legs nearly gave out beneath him.

"I finally understand why Victoria had this pendant. I saw it fall from Evelyn's clothes myself! So why did I believe Victoria when she claimed Evelyn stole it?"

Eleanor's voice cracked. "Now I know why Margaret said our daughter died three years ago. That was when Evelyn left us, wasn't it?"

Regret crushed her. She covered her face, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

"All these years, I prayed to find my child... only to hurt her, insult her, betray her for that vile woman. What kind of mother does that make me?"

She stared at her hands—the same hands that had struck Evelyn so many times.

Suddenly, Eleanor's expression twisted. She threw off the blankets and bolted for the balcony.

William lunged after her in panic. "Eleanor! Eleanor, stop!"

"Death would be easier, William! Every time I remember what I did to our daughter, I—I can't bear it! I should have died in her place!"

She swung one leg over the railing.

Vivian moved like lightning, grabbing Eleanor just as she tipped forward. "No! Mom, don't!"