Chapter 455

Evelyn didn’t waste another second thinking about Eleanor and ended the call abruptly.

When Alexander returned from completing her hospital registration, he immediately noticed the shift in her expression. "What happened? Did someone upset you?"

"Eleanor just called. Vanessa lost the baby," Evelyn replied flatly.

Alexander pieced it together instantly. "So she lashed out at you over the phone, trying to guilt-trip you?"

"Not exactly guilt. More like… amusement. It’s almost comical how they always flip the script to paint themselves as the victims, no matter who’s actually at fault."

"Don’t let it get to you. I’ll handle it."

Alexander guided Evelyn to the treatment room door, then lingered in the hallway to make a call.

Inside, Dr. Victoria Sinclair looked up in surprise when Evelyn entered. "You’re becoming quite the frequent visitor here, aren’t you?"

"Car accident. Just a scratch on my face," Evelyn answered briskly. "Dr. Sinclair, could you prescribe me some more of that ointment?"

The wound stung sharply, deep enough to draw blood.

Evelyn winced as the doctor cleaned it, but her attention snapped to Victoria Sinclair’s snide remark.

"You’re wasting medical resources," Victoria scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. "I honestly don’t understand why Alexander would marry someone as insufferable as you."

Evelyn’s patience had already worn thin. Now, even the doctor was taking cheap shots at her for no reason.

She met Victoria’s gaze head-on, her voice icy.

"Do you have feelings for Alexander? Is that why you can’t stand me?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed Victoria’s face before she schooled her expression.

Evelyn didn’t let up. "But we’re already married, Dr. Sinclair. So, are you really trying to be the other woman?"

Victoria’s lips pressed into a tight line. "Watch your words! I only respect him professionally. I just think you two are completely mismatched!"

Evelyn let out a dry laugh. "Mismatched? And who would be the perfect match, then? You?"

Victoria’s cheeks flushed, but she forced a smirk. "I did my research. Your marriage to Alexander—it was all you chasing after him, wasn’t it?"

Evelyn didn’t flinch. "And what’s wrong with a woman pursuing the man she loves?"

Back then, to protect Alexander’s reputation, it had been easier to let the world believe she was the one who had pursued him relentlessly.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed. "Women who chase men too desperately never end up being cherished."

Evelyn tilted her head, a slow, knowing smile curving her lips. "Funny. Alexander seems to cherish me just fine."

The words hung in the air, sharp as a blade.

Victoria’s grip on her clipboard tightened, but before she could retort, Evelyn stood, smoothing her skirt.

"Thanks for the patch-up, Doctor. But next time, save your opinions for someone who actually cares."

With that, she turned and walked out, leaving Victoria seething behind her.

The hospital corridor stretched ahead, but Evelyn’s mind was already elsewhere.

She had a husband to go home to.

And no bitter doctor’s words were going to ruin her day.

Victoria Sinclair smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she studied Evelyn Carter’s face, searching for any flicker of distress.

Evelyn froze.

Her mind flashed back a decade—to the abandoned haystack where she’d found Alexander Whitmore bleeding out, barely clinging to life.

Victoria leaned in, her voice dripping with smugness. "I’ve even seen a photo of that girl in Alexander’s wallet. He carries it everywhere."

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

That didn’t make sense. When she’d saved Alexander all those years ago, their encounter had been brief—just enough time to stop the bleeding before the ambulance arrived. There was no way he could have had a photo of her.

Shaking off the thought, Evelyn took the prescription from Victoria and walked out without another word.

Alexander ended his call the moment he spotted her. "How did it go?"

"Nothing serious. Just some ointment for the scratch."

"Good. I’ll go get the medication."

As he turned, something slipped from his pocket.

Evelyn hesitated, her fingers twitching toward the fallen object. She opened her mouth to call him back—

Evelyn crouched down, her fingers brushing against the leather object on the floor. Alexander's wallet.

Her breath hitched as she recalled Victoria's cryptic words about a photograph. Who did Alexander carry in his wallet all these years?

With trembling hands, she pried open the worn leather folds.

Tucked in the innermost compartment was a small, faded picture—so old the edges had begun to yellow.

The girl couldn't have been more than seventeen.

Large, innocent eyes stared back at Evelyn, framed by delicate features untouched by time. There was a fragility to her smile, a quiet sweetness that made Evelyn's stomach twist.

Her grip tightened involuntarily, the edges of the photo crumpling between her fingers.

This wasn't her.

Yet Alexander had kept this girl's image close to his heart for years, hidden away like a sacred relic. Whoever she was, she meant everything to him.