Chapter 95

Her footsteps dragged as she turned to leave, only to freeze when Alexander's commanding voice cut through the sterile hospital air.

"Someone donated blood for my son? Who was it?"

"Oh, that woman over there."

Evelyn's breath hitched. She ducked into the emergency stairwell before Alexander could spot her.

The thought of him rejecting Ethan's life-saving transfusion because it came from her made her stomach churn. But saving the boy mattered more than her pride.

Pressed against the cold concrete wall, Evelyn watched Alexander's shadow pass the doorway. She curled into herself, teeth chattering from blood loss and exhaustion.

Every muscle screamed in protest. The gash on her forehead throbbed. Still, she waited until his footsteps faded completely before allowing the darkness to claim her.

Morning light stabbed her eyes when she awoke. Her legs screamed from being folded beneath her all night. Using the wall for support, she staggered upright just as Victoria's shrill voice echoed down the corridor.

"That little bastard should've died! Some meddling bitch had to interfere." Victoria's manicured nails tapped against her phone. "If he'd just bled out, Alexander would've destroyed Evelyn completely."

Evelyn's blood ran colder than the hospital tiles. What kind of mother spoke about her own child that way?

Before she could stop herself, Evelyn stormed from her hiding place. "You're a monster, Victoria Lancaster! Even wild animals protect their young!"

The slap rang out like a gunshot.

Victoria's perfect features twisted into something grotesque. Then her phone pinged. Reading the message, her lips curled into a viper's smile.

"You'll regret that, you pathetic little mouse."

Evelyn barely had time to blink before Victoria yanked her own hair loose, tore her blouse, and threw herself backward with a theatrical wail.

"Alexander! Help me!"

The hallway erupted into chaos. Nurses gasped. Orderlies froze. And right on cue, Alexander came running.

Victoria transformed instantly - trembling lips, tear-streaked makeup, the perfect victim. "Please," she sobbed into Alexander's chest, "I just want our baby to be safe. Make her stop hurting me!"

Evelyn's nails bit into her palms. The performance was flawless. And she'd walked right into the trap.