Chapter 560

Evelyn sighed deeply, her voice laced with exhaustion. "She had the baby not out of love for you, but for the child itself. Claire wants to protect her daughter from becoming a pawn in your twisted games. Alexander, she's made up her mind to walk away."

Lucas shook his head violently, his breath reeking of alcohol. "That's impossible. After all we've shared, all these years together... Now with our baby... She wouldn't just leave."

He stumbled toward the hospital entrance, his movements unsteady.

Evelyn sprang from the car, intercepting him. It was too late at night for this nonsense. Claire needed rest, and Lucas was clearly intoxicated.

She shot Alexander a pleading look. "Take your friend home and keep him there. Make sure he doesn't disturb Claire again."

What new mother had energy to deal with a drunken ex-husband's melodrama?

Alexander roughly shoved Lucas into his car's backseat, glaring at him. He'd finally reconciled with Evelyn and planned a quiet evening together before she returned to her studies. Their time together had become precious lately.

But of course Lucas had to show up tonight.

Still, Lucas was his oldest friend. Alexander couldn't abandon him here, not in this state. The idiot might get himself killed wandering the streets drunk.

After dropping Evelyn safely home, Alexander watched until she disappeared inside before driving off with his troublesome passenger.

Lucas clambered into the front seat, clutching his head miserably. "Don't take me home. Let's go to Eclipse Lounge. I need another drink."

Alexander shot him an exasperated look. "You need sleep, not more alcohol. If you keep this up, even I'll start hating you, let alone Claire."

Lucas groaned. "You don't understand this pain. She nearly died giving birth to my child! And what was I doing? Nothing! Meanwhile Julian got to stand by her side in the delivery room!"

The agony in his voice was palpable. His own child, and he'd been the last to know. Claire had shut him out completely, leaving him drowning in guilt and regret.

"Today of all days, when they reunited," Lucas continued bitterly. "In Claire's eyes, Julian must seem like some damn hero now. And me? Just the worthless ex who lost his chance. I should've been there holding her hand! Julian stole that from me!"

His fists clenched. "And today she actually cursed at me to protect him! That pretentious bastard is just using her for her money. I swear I'll make him pay!"

Alexander listened silently, recognizing this as his friend's desperate need to vent. He interjected occasionally, "Even without Julian, there'd be someone else. You're divorced, Lucas. Maybe it's time to move on."

"Move on?" Lucas laughed harshly. "Did you see me bothering her these past months? But now she's given birth - almost died doing it - and you expect me to pretend our child doesn't exist? That's my blood!"

Alexander pulled the car over, exhaling deeply. The situation was undeniably complicated.