Chapter 312

Vanessa's voice was sharp as she addressed the woman who had just slipped into her room. "What are you doing here? Who told you to come? If anyone sees you—" She cut herself off, gripping the edge of her vanity. "You need to leave. Now."

Evelyn Sinclair frowned, her dark eyes flickering with concern. "Vanessa, I heard what happened. I was worried sick." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I came in secret. It's the middle of the night—no one will know."

The woman standing before Vanessa was her birth mother, Evelyn Sinclair. She had lingered outside the door long enough to catch every word exchanged between Vanessa and Ethan.

Now that the immediate danger had passed, Evelyn's anger flared. "Ethan Caldwell—that coward!" Her hands clenched into fists. "How dare he abandon you like this? Telling you to get rid of the baby?" She scoffed. "He’s no better than Eleanor. Disgusting, the both of them."

Vanessa stiffened at the mention of Ethan’s mother. "Wait." Her gaze narrowed. "How do you know Eleanor?"

Something didn’t add up. Evelyn had never met Eleanor before. So how could she possibly know what kind of woman she was?

Evelyn froze, her expression tightening before she forced a dismissive laugh. "Of course I don’t know her. Why would I?"

Vanessa didn’t press further. Right now, she had bigger concerns. If anyone discovered Evelyn here, the consequences would be disastrous. "You can’t stay," she insisted, her voice edged with urgency. "You need to go—now."

Just as the words left her lips, Richard appeared in the doorway. His eyes widened at the sight of Evelyn Sinclair. "What are you doing here? If anyone sees you—"

Evelyn's hands trembled. "I—I was just leaving."

Richard moved swiftly, gripping her wrist. "I know you're worried about Vanessa, but didn’t I assure you? She’s perfectly fine, and the baby is healthy. If someone catches you lurking around, it’ll only complicate things. Come, I’ll escort you home."

Without another word, he guided her out.

Inside the elevator, Evelyn’s anxiety refused to fade. She turned to Richard, voice trembling. "I just overheard Ethan. He’s trying to convince Vanessa to terminate the pregnancy! Do you think their relationship is in trouble?"

Richard shook his head firmly. "The Caldwells would never let Ethan act so recklessly. You must have misunderstood. Why would he reject his own child?"

Tears welled in Evelyn’s eyes. "Richard, I’ve spent decades hidden in your shadow—no title, no recognition. I accepted that. I know I can’t compete with Margaret, but I won’t stand by while our daughter suffers for nothing!"

Richard’s grip on her hand tightened. "You have my word. Vanessa is my daughter too. I would never let harm come to her."

"But Vanessa told me you gifted the Hawthorne Estate to Evelyn just to win her favor. Doesn't that leave Vanessa at a disadvantage?" Evelyn Sinclair's eyes grew even redder, her voice trembling with emotion.

Richard Hayes scoffed, "I compensated Vanessa fairly, didn't I? Thirty million dollars as a Christmas present—that's more than generous!"

Their conversation carried them downstairs. Evelyn knew better than to push Richard too far, so she bit back any further protests.

Richard motioned for her to step into his car, instructing the driver, "Take her to Willowbrook Apartments."

When she noticed Richard wasn’t joining her, Evelyn frowned. "Aren’t you coming with me?"

With Christmas approaching and his son Oliver back home, Richard could no longer use work as an excuse to slip away to Evelyn’s place. But the memory of his latest argument with Margaret hardened his resolve. "Fine," he relented. "I’ll stay with you tonight."

A satisfied smile curved Evelyn’s lips.

Years ago, she had been Richard’s secretary. One drunken night, she had seized the opportunity to seduce him, and since then, their relationship had remained shrouded in secrecy.

But their affair hadn’t lasted. Margaret had grown suspicious, and Richard, ever the coward, had paid Evelyn off before the truth could unravel.

Secret Longing: A Second Chance at Love After Prison (Evelyn)