Chapter 375

Pregnant?

Evelyn's monthly cycle had been irregular this month, delayed by nearly a week.

The possibility hadn't even crossed her mind.

The traumatic kidnapping ordeal had wreaked havoc on her emotions and hormones - she'd assumed the missed period was just stress-related.

Her fingers twitched with the instinct to check her own pulse, but she quickly dismissed the absurd thought. Even doctors couldn't properly diagnose themselves.

"Evelyn darling, we're going straight to the hospital after lunch!" Margaret practically vibrated with excitement.

After weeks of turmoil, this potential good news felt like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

Knowing medical confirmation was necessary, Evelyn didn't protest.

They finished their meal quickly and drove to Cresthaven General.

Margaret took charge with military efficiency, settling Evelyn in the waiting area before marching off to handle registration.

The blood test results would take an hour. Margaret fidgeted impatiently, then suddenly brightened. "Let's go—"

The waiting room TV flickered with breaking news. Evelyn's breath caught as Alexander Whitmore's face filled the screen.

Evelyn wasn't in the mood. She told Margaret to go without her.

Margaret suspected Evelyn might be in early pregnancy and needed special care, so she didn't insist. "Stay put. I won't be long," she cautioned before leaving.

Alone, Evelyn scrolled through her phone absentmindedly. Her fingers hovered over Alexander's contact before she switched to messaging Simon instead.

[Did you reach Cresthaven safely?]

His reply came instantly: [Yes, Mrs. Whitmore. How may I assist you?]

[Alexander...] Evelyn started typing about his unanswered calls, then deleted it. Simon was merely an assistant - these matters weren't his concern.

[Never mind. Just checking in.] She sent the vague reply.

Across town, Simon trailed behind Alexander as they prepared for a business dinner. Pocketing his phone without another thought, he nearly missed the way Alexander's gaze lingered on his screen.

A knowing smile curved Alexander's lips. Had his wife really resorted to contacting his assistant when she couldn't reach him?

The realization sent an unexpected warmth through his chest. Even through her stubborn independence, Evelyn still sought connection. He'd have to remedy this communication gap soon - just not yet. Let her wonder a little longer.

Alexander adjusted his cufflinks, already anticipating their next encounter. She'd either scold him for ignoring her or pretend nothing happened. Both possibilities amused him equally.

"It's quite troublesome," Alexander suddenly remarked. "My wife insists on knowing my whereabouts even when I'm traveling for work."

Simon paused, glancing at Alexander in surprise.

The man was practically glowing with satisfaction. This wasn't a complaint—it was a blatant boast about Evelyn's devotion to him.

Though taken aback, Simon maintained his professional composure. "Mr. Whitmore, as an unmarried man, how could I possibly anticipate this and remind you?"

"True enough." Alexander nodded, eyeing Simon with exaggerated sympathy. "I heard about your recent breakup. Must be peaceful traveling alone without anyone checking on you."

Simon clenched his jaw.

Enough already. I get it. Stop rubbing salt in the wound.

Meanwhile, Evelyn exhaled in relief after receiving Alexander's safe arrival message.

As she pocketed her phone, movement near the emergency entrance caught her eye.

Vanessa staggered inside, clutching her bleeding forehead while Richard hovered anxiously beside her. Crimson streaks painted her fingers—the injury looked serious.

"I'm taking them to court! They've completely ruined my life!"

Evelyn Sinclair sobbed hysterically before Richard Hayes, her mascara streaking down her bruised face. "First they destroyed my boutique last week, and now this violent assault! Why did you interfere? I need to file charges immediately!"

"Stop this nonsense!" Richard snapped, running a hand through his graying hair. The confrontation with Margaret at Hawthorne Estate still burned in his memory when Evelyn's frantic call had interrupted him.

Her dramatic claims of lying in a pool of blood had dragged him here, only to find her with nothing but superficial scratches.

"Call the police? Have you no shame left?" His voice dripped with contempt. The stench of cheap perfume mixed with alcohol made his stomach churn.

Evelyn clutched her designer handbag like a shield. "You're supposed to protect me! After everything I've sacrificed—"

"Protect you?" Richard's laugh was bitter. "From the consequences of your own schemes?"

The diamond bracelet on Evelyn's wrist caught the fluorescent light - the same one Vanessa had "borrowed" from Margaret's collection last month. The pieces connected in his mind with sickening clarity.

Outside the clinic window, ambulance sirens wailed. Somewhere in Cresthaven, real emergencies were happening while he wasted time on this theatrics.

Evelyn opened her mouth to protest, but Richard was already turning away. The revolving door spat him back into the crisp autumn air, where the scent of maple leaves offered temporary relief from the toxicity inside.

His phone buzzed - another message from Vanessa. He deleted it without reading. The Hayes family had bled enough because of these women.

As his chauffeur opened the car door, Richard allowed himself one glance back at the clinic. Through the glass, Evelyn was already reapplying lipstick, her earlier distress forgotten. The performance would continue, with or without his participation.

This time, he chose to exit stage left.