Chapter 460

Eleanor and William witnessed the heartbreaking scene from outside the room, their chests tightening with unbearable anguish.

They dared not interrupt. Nor could they reveal the devastating truth—that Ethan was actually Evelyn's biological son—without careful deliberation.

Eleanor clapped a hand over her mouth. Swallowing her sobs, she turned and fled down the hallway.

"Ellie!" William called after her in a hushed tone. After one last longing glance at Evelyn, he chased after his distraught wife.

Eleanor collapsed onto their bed, burying her face in the pillows as gut-wrenching sobs wracked her body.

Though equally devastated, William forced himself to remain composed. As her husband, he needed to be her anchor in this storm.

"Ellie, please," he murmured, rubbing her trembling shoulders. "Our daughter is alive and thriving. That's what matters most."

His words only made Eleanor weep harder.

Of course she was grateful Evelyn had survived.

But memories flooded her mind—the times she'd struck Evelyn, the cruel words she'd hurled, the day she'd watched her daughter cough up blood while accusing her of faking illness.

Each recollection stabbed through Eleanor like shards of glass.

"What kind of monster hits her own child?" Eleanor rasped, lifting tear-swollen eyes. "I called her vile names. I told her she deserved to be abandoned. I—"

"Stop." William's voice broke as his Adam's apple bobbed. The same horrific memories tormented him—his own cruelty, his blind trust in Victoria's lies.

Eleanor gasped for air between sobs. "She looked at me with those eyes—my eyes—and I didn't see it! How could I not recognize my own flesh and blood?"

"I failed too," William admitted hoarsely. "Every time I saw Evelyn, something felt familiar. But Victoria's poison clouded my judgment."

"William, we don't deserve her forgiveness." Eleanor clung to him like a drowning woman.

He held her tightly, taking a shuddering breath. "You're right. We've forfeited any right to call ourselves her parents."

"Then what—"

"Let's give Evelyn the choice," William decided. "However she wants to proceed...we'll accept it."

Eleanor understood. The thought of rejection terrified her, but forcing themselves into Evelyn's life would be another betrayal.

William gently wiped her tears. "If she never calls me 'Father,' I'll still thank God every day that she's alive and well."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A maid's voice filtered through the door. "Sir, Madam? Young Master Ethan has fallen asleep. Miss Prescott asked me to inform you she's leaving."

"Tell her we'll be right down," William responded.

They quickly splashed water on their puffy faces. After composing themselves, they hurried downstairs.

Spotting Evelyn in the foyer, they forced smiles. "Miss Prescott," they greeted in unison.