Chapter 254

Evelyn's thoughts burned with contempt. Call you "Dad"? After everything you've done?

Alexander cleared the room under the pretense of Evelyn needing rest.

Richard opened his mouth to protest but clamped it shut at the glacial look in Alexander's eyes. Ethan, lost in his scheming thoughts, had to be physically pulled away by Vanessa.

Remembering how exhausted Alexander and Claire had been, Evelyn quickly insisted, "Go rest. I'll be fine here."

Thirty minutes later, Alexander had no choice but to leave for Horizon Enterprises' annual board meeting.

"I'll return this afternoon," he murmured, smoothing her blanket with uncharacteristic tenderness.

As he turned, his gaze landed on Lucas lingering near the door. Alexander's jaw tightened. "You—"

Lucas raised his hands. "Just stepping out for a smoke. Claire, we need to talk. Hallway."

The door clicked shut behind them, sealing Evelyn in deceptive quiet.

The moment Lucas Bennett's name was mentioned, Evelyn Carter's expression turned to stone. "So he actually tracked me down to the hospital!"

Realizing Claire Dawson might still be in the dark about Isabella Rhodes's situation, Evelyn lowered her voice. "Perhaps Lucas has urgent matters to discuss. You two should clear the air."

Her gaze drifted to Claire's abdomen. "And the baby... you haven't gone through with the procedure, have you? You're keeping it because... you still care."

Claire's fingers brushed lightly over her stomach.

In that sterile operating room, she'd been fully prepared to end the pregnancy.

Yet when the doctor reached for the instruments, something primal surged through her. She'd bolted upright, hands instinctively shielding her womb.

The realization had struck like lightning—this life inside her deserved a chance.

Financially independent and emotionally resolved, Claire knew she could raise this child alone.

This innocent life shouldn't pay the price for her failed marriage to Lucas.

After a weighted silence, Claire met Evelyn's gaze. "I chose to keep my baby. But make no mistake—this decision has nothing to do with Lucas Bennett. There are no lingering attachments."

The heart monitor beeped steadily as sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting striped shadows across Claire's determined face. Outside, hospital staff wheeled carts down the hallway, their muffled voices a stark contrast to the tension thickening the air.

Evelyn studied her friend's profile—the tightness around Claire's mouth, the way her fingers kept returning to her abdomen in unconscious circles. A telltale sign even the most convincing words couldn't disguise.

Some wounds ran too deep for declarations to heal.

The physician's words still echoed in Claire's mind - high-risk pregnancy, unstable fetus.

Stepping out of the surgical suite, she'd made her decision. Nature would take its course.

If this child was meant to survive, it would. If not... well, some things weren't meant to be.

Evelyn squeezed Claire's trembling fingers. "Whatever you choose, I'm with you. If you still want the divorce, I'll be the best godmother this city's ever seen."

Claire managed a weak chuckle, tapping Evelyn's cheek. "Looking for motherhood without the stretch marks? Nice try."

"But your bump will show eventually," Evelyn countered. "With Lucas's possessive nature, he'll never release you if he discovers you're still carrying his child."

A dangerous spark lit Claire's eyes. "What if we let Julian take credit? Can you imagine Lucas tolerating his wife pregnant with another man's baby?"

Evelyn's breath caught.

Lucas Bennett's legendary pride would never survive such humiliation.

Claire's lips curved into a calculated smile. "Julian as my secret lover, father of my child. Plausible, don't you think?"

Evelyn's brow furrowed as realization struck - Claire wasn't just leaving. She was orchestrating the perfect exit strategy.

The game had changed.

Her gaze flickered toward the door. "Lucas is probably still waiting outside. You should go talk to him properly."

Claire hesitated, studying her friend’s face. "But what about you…? Are you really alright?"

Evelyn’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Honestly? I was faking it." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "I didn’t actually fall last night, and I certainly didn’t save Vanessa. I followed her deliberately and took that fall—just to ruin whatever scheme she was planning."

A beat of silence passed between them.

Claire’s eyes widened. "You what?"

Evelyn exhaled, her fingers absently tracing the edge of the hospital blanket. "She was up to something. I could feel it. So I made sure she wouldn’t get away with it."

The revelation hung in the air, sharp and unexpected.

Claire swallowed hard. "Does Alexander know?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Not yet. But he will."

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Claire shot her a look. "Guess that’s your cue."

Evelyn smirked. "Guess so."