Chapter 639
Evelyn's brows knitted together as she made up her mind to visit the hospital.
She needed to see with her own eyes what game Isabella was playing - whether her blindness was genuine or just another manipulative act.
At the medical center, she tiptoed to the doorway of the private ward.
Through the glass panel, she spotted Alexander sitting on the sofa beside the hospital bed, typing away on his laptop.
Isabella lay motionless on the bed, seemingly asleep.
Evelyn observed quietly from the hallway, relieved to see Alexander maintaining a respectful distance from the patient.
"Mrs. Whitmore..." Simon's voice suddenly echoed through the corridor.
The sound must have alerted those inside, because Alexander immediately turned his head.
The moment their eyes met, he set down his laptop and strode toward her. "Why are you lurking out here without telling me you've arrived?" Alexander frowned, capturing Evelyn's chilled fingers between his palms. "How long have you been standing there?"
The autumn winds had turned bitter, leaving Evelyn's hands icy.
He cradled them gently, transferring his warmth through the contact.
Evelyn glanced sideways into the hospital room and whispered, "Just arrived. How is she?"
Alexander sighed. "Tests this morning showed everything normal except her vision. The doctors suspect optic nerve damage from her fall." The uncertainty of the diagnosis complicated treatment.
Evelyn noticed the fatigue lining Alexander's bloodshot eyes.
"Did you sleep at all last night?" she asked.
Before he could respond, Simon interjected, "Mr. Whitmore maintained perfect propriety! Refused to share the room with Ms. Morgan. Spent the entire night reviewing contracts on that tiny sofa." Though a fold-out bed had been available, Alexander had chosen the uncomfortable couch.
Simon added under his breath, "Ms. Morgan's been impossible. She checks for Mr. Whitmore every thirty minutes. If he steps out, she starts hurling medical equipment."
"This morning when Mr. Whitmore used the restroom, she woke up and caused such a scene they had to sedate her," he continued, explaining why Alexander couldn't leave.
Evelyn withdrew her hands from Alexander's grasp.
She lifted her chin. "If she never recovers, do you plan to let her cling to you indefinitely?"
"Of course not," Alexander responded immediately. "She's struggling to adjust to sudden blindness. Give it a few days." Evelyn's bitter laugh cut through the sterile air. "So I should just surrender you to her for 'a few days'?" Alexander's grip tightened. "Evelyn, you're twisting my words."
A lead weight settled in Evelyn's chest.
"I left Ethan because he kept choosing Vanessa over me. How are you different?"
Evelyn's fists clenched until her knuckles bleached white.
She blinked back stinging tears, refusing to cry here.
She knew Alexander differed fundamentally from Ethan.
Ethan had betrayed her love willfully, while Alexander was trapped by circumstance.
Yet the pain felt identical.
As if sensing her distress, the baby fluttered against her womb - a tiny foot or hand brushing her from within.
Evelyn cradled her bump protectively.
She would be a mother soon. She needed strength.
Besides, her thriving career meant she didn't need any man's support.
"Fine," she said coldly. "Stay with Isabella. Clearly my feelings mean nothing. I'll have divorce papers drawn up immediately." She turned to leave.
Alexander seized her wrist, pulling her against his chest. "Don't be absurd. I would never divorce you."
The comparison to Ethan lacerated him.
He'd made mistakes, yes.
But never intentionally.
Alexander crushed her closer. "Give me time to resolve this properly. Be angry, but never mention divorce again."
He loved this woman desperately. After fighting so hard to make her his wife, how could she think he'd let her go?
Isabella was an unexpected complication - one he hadn't anticipated becoming so... unhinged.
His voice roughened. "She won't come between us forever. I'll handle this."
Though Alexander's embrace felt like sanctuary, Evelyn's heart remained leaden. Logically, she should leave and raise her child alone.
But emotionally, she couldn't sever their bond.
Alexander had been her protector when her own family abandoned her.
He'd patiently dismantled her defenses until she dared to hope for a real home.
Their love was genuine.
If Alexander had truly betrayed her like Ethan, she'd walk away without hesitation.
But this was different.
His involvement with Isabella stemmed from obligation, not affection. His frustration mirrored her own.
Evelyn's lashes lowered.
Why let Isabella destroy what they'd built?
The scheming woman didn't deserve that victory.
The more Isabella tried to divide them, the more determined Evelyn became to stand firm.
"Alexander..." Isabella's plaintive voice floated from the room.
Evelyn peered inside.
Isabella flailed blindly, nearly toppling from the bed. "Alexander! Where are you?" When no answer came, her voice turned frantic. "Have you abandoned me too?"
Alexander instinctively looked to Evelyn.
Seeing her silent observation, he remained rooted in place.
Satisfied by his hesitation, Evelyn pushed the door open. Alexander moved to stop her, fearing Isabella might harm herself - or Evelyn - in her agitated state. But after a beat, he followed.
Blind and hearing no response, Isabella grew increasingly distressed.
As she tried climbing from bed, her foot caught in the sheets, sending her pitching forward.
Evelyn caught her just before impact.
Isabella immediately clung to her, burying her face in what she assumed was Alexander's chest. "Alexander! You terrified me! I thought you'd left!" Evelyn's brow arched.
She'd mistaken her for Alexander? Was the blindness real?