Chapter 409

Evelyn couldn't react fast enough when Eleanor suddenly blurted out those shocking words.

The air in the office grew thick with tension. Evelyn stole a glance at Alexander's reaction from the corner of her eye. His handsome face showed a complicated mix of emotions - surprise, contemplation, yet an eerie calmness beneath it all.

After a heavy pause, Evelyn broke the silence. "Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, do you truly believe Evelyn was your biological daughter?"

Eleanor's misty eyes locked onto Evelyn's face with undeniable longing. "We haven't done the DNA test yet, but I'm ninety percent certain Evelyn was our child!"

Her voice trembled with conviction, her fingers clutching the tissue in her lap.

"Miss Prescott has a daughter, doesn't she?" Eleanor asked abruptly.

Evelyn nodded. "Yes."

"When I saw your little girl outside the preschool, it took my breath away. She bears such striking resemblance to how my daughter looked as an infant."

"Now I understand why. Because your daughter looks like you, Miss Prescott. And you... you're practically identical to Evelyn."

Evelyn felt her breath catch in her throat.

So that explained Eleanor's strange reaction upon seeing Amelia that day.

'After all these years, Mother still remembers every detail of my baby face.'

A bittersweet warmth spread through Evelyn's chest.

For nearly three decades without parents, she'd finally tasted what it meant to be truly missed - even if that love remained hidden in shadows.

Her thoughts shattered when William addressed Alexander in a pleading tone. "Mr. Blackwood, I know you've always resented Evelyn. You believed she schemed to trap you into marriage. But now you must see the truth - Evelyn was innocent. Victoria orchestrated everything. And now... now Evelyn's been gone three years..."

William's voice cracked, but he pressed on. "We have no right to ask anything of you. We came today only because you were once married to Evelyn."

"Even if we never get to hold our daughter again in this lifetime, we want her to have her rightful name. She shouldn't remain a wandering spirit without roots..."

Eleanor buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Evelyn handed her fresh tissues before glancing at Alexander's stony silence. She sighed dramatically.

"Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, I'm afraid Alexander can't help you."

Her words extinguished the hopeful light in their eyes.

"Before our wedding, I had all of Evelyn's belongings completely removed. There's nothing left for DNA testing."

The couple's expressions crumbled simultaneously.

Yet Eleanor's eyes soon blazed with renewed determination. "Even without proof, I know in my soul that Evelyn was our daughter. If I doubt that now, I don't deserve to call myself her mother."

Wiping her tears, Eleanor stood with fragile dignity. "Thank you, Miss Prescott, Mr. Blackwood. We apologize for disturbing you."

With polite bows, they exited, leaving the office in heavy silence.

Evelyn's chest ached with hollowness.

She forced a smile and turned to Alexander, who sat deep in thought, his dark brows knitted together.

"Alexander, what's troubling you? Shocked that Evelyn might have been a Montgomery?"

He finally lifted his midnight-dark eyes to meet her sparkling gaze. A tender smile curved his lips.

"None of that matters to me. The only thing that does... is you."

'Of course I don't matter. When have I ever?' Evelyn thought bitterly while maintaining her sweet facade. "Don't tease me. I'm being serious."

His gaze burned into hers, voice soft as morning mist. "I've never been more serious about anything in my life."