Chapter 342

The moment Alexander stepped back into the car, Evelyn noticed the storm brewing in his eyes. His jaw was clenched tight, his shoulders rigid with tension.

"What happened?" she asked, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. "Where did you go?"

"Nothing to worry about," Alexander replied curtly, slamming the door shut. The sound echoed in the sudden silence. "I’m assigning extra security to you. Just a precaution."

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

In the backseat, Margaret leaned forward, her voice sharp with concern. "Alexander, is there a threat?"

It had only been a week since Evelyn’s abduction. The memory still sent icy fingers crawling down her spine. She had just learned the kidnappers had used explosives—something she hadn’t even realized at the time.

Alexander fastened his seatbelt with a quick, practiced motion. "An old mission from my academy days might have resurfaced. Better safe than sorry."

He didn’t elaborate, but Evelyn understood. Classified. Off-limits.

Her mind raced. Wait… operatives use aliases to protect their identities.

If they know who he really is…

A cold realization settled in her chest.

This wasn’t just a precaution.

It was a warning.

"The weight."

"The weight?" Alexander's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

It hit him then—how often had Evelyn been pulled into danger because of him? The realization darkened his features.

They knew exactly where to strike.

His enemies had identified his weakness, which was why they kept targeting Evelyn.

This had gone too far.

As the car rolled past a neon-lit pharmacy, Margaret suddenly spoke. "You can drop me here. I ate too much at dinner—need to walk it off. I'll catch a cab later."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly.

Too much? She barely touched her plate.

The moment the car stopped, Margaret pushed the door open—but as she stepped onto the curb, her ankle gave a sharp wobble.

Evelyn caught the stumble in the rearview mirror, her gaze snapping to Margaret's feet.

"Did you hurt yourself back there?"

Earlier, when the ice shattered, Margaret had acted on pure instinct—shoving Evelyn to safety without a second thought for herself.

I had intended to purchase some pain relief cream and recover at home, but the moment I stepped outside, the throbbing in my ankle became impossible to ignore.

Margaret responded with an embarrassed smile, "It's really nothing. A few days of rest should do the trick."

Evelyn shook her head disapprovingly before settling back into the luxurious leather seat.

As the car door clicked shut, a crushing wave of disappointment washed over Margaret.

Just as she turned away, the tinted window descended with a quiet hum.

Evelyn leaned out, resting her chin on folded arms. "Why are you still standing there like a statue? Get in already!"

Margaret's eyes widened in shock as she turned to meet her daughter's gaze. Her voice quivered, "Evelyn..."

With a thoughtful tilt of her head, Evelyn addressed Alexander. "Mr. Whitmore, would you mind taking my mother to the medical center? She needs proper examination."

Alexander gave an immediate nod of agreement.

Margaret stood frozen, her pulse racing with a confusing mix of astonishment and overwhelming joy.

Her thoughts tumbled wildly: "Is Evelyn actually... concerned about me? She's insisting on accompanying me personally? And did she just call me... Mother?"

Evelyn Carter refused to let her tears fall in front of Margaret Hayes.

Her heart swelled with emotion as she thought, "My precious girl still shows me kindness after all my mistakes."

The biting winter air couldn't penetrate the cocoon of warmth inside the car.

Hot air whispered against Margaret's face from the vents, stirring emotions she'd long suppressed.

When she reached up to brush away an imaginary speck, her fingers came away wet.

The tears had come without warning, tracing silent paths down her weathered cheeks.

The dashboard lights cast a soft glow, illuminating the quiet intimacy of this unexpected moment between mother and daughter.

Margaret turned her face toward the window, watching streetlights blur through her unshed tears.

Each passing light seemed to highlight another regret, another missed opportunity in their fractured relationship.

Yet here Evelyn sat beside her, offering silent comfort in the steady rhythm of her breathing.

The hum of the engine filled the space between them, a neutral soundtrack to their complicated history.

Margaret discreetly wiped her palms against her coat, surprised by the intensity of her emotions.

She'd built walls around her heart for so long, she'd forgotten what it felt like when they crumbled.

The scent of Evelyn's vanilla perfume mixed with the leather seats, creating a strangely comforting aroma.

Outside, snow began to fall - delicate flakes that melted instantly against the warm windshield.

Like her tears, Margaret thought. Brief but undeniable evidence of feelings she could no longer suppress.

Her chest tightened with a mixture of sorrow and something dangerously close to hope.

For the first time in years, she allowed herself to imagine reconciliation.

The possibility hovered between them, fragile as the winter night outside their moving sanctuary.

Evelyn's quiet strength filled the car as surely as the heater's warmth.

Margaret let out a shuddering breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

The weight of her daughter's forgiveness settled around her shoulders - heavy, but not unbearable.

Not when carried together.