Chapter 944
The first rays of dawn painted the hospital room in soft gold when Evelyn Sinclair stirred awake. Beside her, Natalie Beaumont blinked sleep from her eyes. Preston Sinclair's gaze darkened momentarily before clearing.
No irritation touched his features. Even if Isabella Montgomery had disturbed Evelyn's rest, it hadn't been intentional.
Evelyn rose and approached the bed where Isabella lay, her complexion now healthy with color.
Those determined eyes shone bright, though her voice remained frail - likely from hunger. "You're awake? How are you feeling?"
Recognition flickered across Isabella's face as memories resurfaced, dimming her sparkle momentarily.
"I'm starving," she murmured weakly.
Relief washed over Evelyn and Natalie as Preston arranged a meal tray.
While they set up the bedside table, Isabella mumbled, "Alexander isn't here?"
Evelyn froze mid-motion. Isabella bit her lip, eyes glistening.
"I remember him saving me. I wanted to thank him personally."
She'd buried the agony of unrequited love deep. Yet this memory - Alexander protecting her, holding her close for the first time - made her dormant heart flutter awake.
What if...just what if he felt something too? For that slim chance, she'd risk everything.
Evelyn hesitated under Isabella's hopeful gaze.
"Alexander had business, but he'll visit later." She understood Isabella's longing too well to judge. Natalie sighed beside them.
"Darling, you really must sharpen your instincts. Donovan Pierce never seemed trustworthy. I warned you, but you accused me of snap judgments."
Isabella's expression crumpled momentarily. "I was blind. Every kindness I believed came from him was just manipulation."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "When we were stranded, he had helicopters but refused to use them - afraid his wife would find out. He let me crawl through mud instead. How could I have been so foolish?"
Natalie squeezed her shoulder. "Cut ties completely this time. Consider it a painful lesson learned."
Fury flashed in Isabella's eyes. Evelyn met her gaze steadily. "If you want revenge rather than moving on, we'll help you make him pay."
A Montgomery heiress shouldn't swallow her pride.
Isabella lifted her chin. "I'll tell you if I need help." No false pleasantries between them.
Evelyn smiled as Isabella inhaled deeply. "Alright, I'm eating now. Were you two here all night?"
She blinked at Preston behind Evelyn. "Mr. Sinclair, you stayed too?"
Preston chuckled. "I napped in the adjacent lounge. These two bore the night watch."
Evelyn glanced at him. "You should head to the office. We'll leave soon."
When Preston hesitated, Evelyn clicked her tongue and ushered him out.
"Girl talk incoming. You'll just cramp our style."
Amusement crinkled his eyes. Apparently, he'd been the third wheel.
At the threshold, he turned back suddenly. "Call if you need anything?"
Evelyn nodded impatiently.
Preston's tender smile lingered, reluctance evident in his stance.
Behind Evelyn, Natalie and Isabella's amused stares burned her cheeks.
Recognizing her discomfort, Preston finally relented - but not before catching her hand for one lingering caress.
Heat flooded Evelyn's face. Was Preston Sinclair making a habit of stealing these intimate moments?