Chapter 458

Alexander stood motionless in the biting wind, his gaze fixed on Evelyn's retreating figure. The streetlight cast his tall, lean silhouette into a solitary shadow against the pavement.

A bitter smile twisted his lips as anguish spread through his chest like poison.

His vision blurred with unshed tears, making the woman walking away appear distorted and distant.

How could he blame her for being cold? This pain was entirely of his own making.

...

After dinner with Olivia and Nathaniel, Evelyn returned alone to her old apartment.

She sat by the bay window, Alexander's words echoing relentlessly in her mind.

'The person I love is you.'

"Ha."

Her laugh came out sharp and humorless.

'No one who truly loves someone could hurt them so deeply.'

'Alexander, don't you dare claim to love me now. Not after killing my heart with your cruelty.'

Buzz. Buzz.

Her phone vibrated insistently on the nightstand.

Evelyn blinked away her thoughts and glanced at the caller ID - Eleanor Kingsley.

'If they were searching for me so desperately earlier, they must know I'm their daughter.'

She watched the phone tremble across the surface, letting it ring four times before answering.

There was a stunned pause on the other end before Eleanor spoke. "Miss Prescott?"

Evelyn's breath caught at the formal address.

Did they not know? Had Alexander kept the truth from them?

"What's so urgent that you called five times?" Evelyn kept her voice carefully neutral.

Eleanor struggled to control her emotions. "Miss Prescott, Ethan can't sleep again. He's asking for you - wants you to sing him a lullaby. Could you come now?"

Evelyn's resolve wavered at the mention of the boy. Despite herself, she felt that familiar pull toward him.

"I'll be there shortly. Tell Ethan to wait for me."

"Yes! Of course! We'll be waiting!" Eleanor's voice trembled with barely contained emotion.

Something in Eleanor's shaky tone set off alarms in Evelyn's mind.

But she pushed the thought aside, changed clothes, and drove to Montgomery Manor.

Ten minutes later, she pulled up to the estate gates. Her breath hitched when she saw William and Eleanor waiting at the entrance.

Their expectant postures confirmed her suspicions.

She parked but hesitated before opening the door. Through the rearview mirror, she saw William's red-rimmed eyes and Eleanor's tear-streaked face contorted with grief.

Her fingers froze on the seatbelt clasp.

Seeing her hesitation, Eleanor rushed to the car window, knocking with trembling hands. Her desperate, hopeful gaze locked onto Evelyn's. "Miss Prescott, won't you come out?" she pleaded through her tears.