Chapter 695

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the hospital windows as Evelyn Carter gathered her acupuncture supplies. She winced slightly as she stood, the pain from her C-section incision sharp but bearable.

Giselle Cortez rushed forward, concern etching her features. "Mrs. Whitmore, you should be resting! Your body needs time to heal after surgery."

Evelyn knew the risks. But Dominic Powell lay unconscious in the ICU, his condition critical. The doctors had given their grim prognosis - if he didn't wake within 24 hours, the consequences could be permanent.

She couldn't just wait.

"I have to do this," Evelyn insisted, clutching the medical kit to her chest.

A knock interrupted them.

Richard and Margaret Hayes stood at the door, their faces lined with worry. They'd only learned of Evelyn's accident that morning when Margaret overheard hospital staff discussing it.

"Evelyn! Are you alright?" Margaret's gaze darted around the room. "Why didn't you tell us? And the baby - is it a boy or girl? Is everything okay?"

"It's a boy," Evelyn replied softly. "In the NICU. I haven't seen him yet." The words tasted bitter. She should be holding her newborn, not fighting for her life - and Dominic's.

Richard's brow furrowed. "How did this happen?"

"Damian Cross." Evelyn met her father's gaze directly. "But someone paid him. Who keeps trying to kill me, Dad?"

Richard's expression darkened. "Damian was always trouble. This is probably revenge for putting him in prison. It has nothing to do with Vanessa! She's pregnant, bedridden - how could she possibly-"

"I never mentioned Vanessa," Evelyn cut in coldly. "Interesting that you went there first."

Richard froze, realizing his mistake.

Margaret shot him a warning look.

Evelyn's laugh held no humor. "I'd love to get along with my stepsister. So tell me - why does she want me dead so badly?"

Damian's sudden death in prison had been suspiciously convenient. Without him, the trail went cold.

"Where's Alexander?" Margaret changed the subject. "Surely Titan Capital isn't more important than his child's birth?"

Evelyn's grip tightened on the acupuncture kit. "He's... occupied."

Margaret pressed, "With what?"

"I don't know!" Evelyn snapped. "Ask him yourself!"

Richard seized the opportunity. "I saw Vanessa this morning. Ethan never left her side. What's really going on between you and Alexander? Why hasn't he been around?"

Each word was a knife twist.

"Maybe if you weren't so stubborn," Richard continued, oblivious to his daughter's pain. "Marrying Alexander was the best thing that ever happened to you. You should-"

The water glass shattered at Richard's feet.

"Are you here to check on me or berate me?" Evelyn's voice shook. "I just survived an accident, had emergency surgery, and you come to tell me it's my fault my husband abandoned me?"

Tears threatened, but she refused to let them fall.

Margaret gasped. "Alexander left you for someone else?"

Evelyn turned away. "I have more important things to do than listen to this."

As she reached the door, Margaret called after her, "Oliver heard about the baby! He's booking a flight home to see his nephew!"

Evelyn didn't look back. Every step sent pain shooting through her abdomen, but she pushed forward. Dominic needed her. That was all that mattered now.