Chapter 708

Alexander's expression darkened, his jaw tightening visibly. He opened his mouth to speak, but Evelyn pried his hands from her waist with deliberate slowness, one finger at a time. "Enough. I need rest. Please go."

For a heartbeat, Alexander stood frozen. Evelyn turned away, her eyes rimmed red, and shoved him toward the door with surprising strength. When he reached for her again, she slammed the door shut without hesitation. The sharp crack of wood meeting metal echoed through the corridor as Alexander barely pulled his fingers back in time.

From inside, the decisive click of the lock turning sounded like a gunshot to his ears. That single hospital door had become an impenetrable barrier between them, dividing their worlds completely. Alexander remained motionless, staring at the closed door.

Through the small glass panel, he watched Evelyn collapse to her knees, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The ache in his chest intensified, drowning him in helplessness. He knew forcing his way in would only make things worse.

Simon appeared beside him suddenly. "Mr. Whitmore, your hand—"

Alexander's fingers had turned an alarming shade of purple, swollen nearly twice their normal size. Yet he barely registered the pain, his gaze still fixed on Evelyn's door. Simon, though confused by the situation, insisted, "Let's get that looked at immediately." This time, Alexander didn't resist.

Claire arrived at the hospital breathless, her hair slightly disheveled. When she knocked, Evelyn finally unlocked the door.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" Claire immediately pulled Evelyn into a tight embrace upon seeing her tear-streaked face. "You're still recovering—this isn't good for you. You'll make yourself sick." Gently, she wiped away Evelyn's tears.

The floodgates opened. Maybe it was because Ethan had hurt her so deeply before that she'd foolishly believed Alexander was her salvation. She'd wanted a fresh start, a happy ending, but everything had unraveled spectacularly. The higher her hopes had soared, the harder the fall.

Claire continued murmuring reassurances until Evelyn's breathing gradually steadied. Noticing Claire's bare face, Evelyn asked, "Why are you here so late?"

"Lucas called. Said you weren't doing well and suggested I keep you company." Claire set down her bag and guided Evelyn back to bed. "I'm guessing this was Alexander's doing." Evelyn's gaze flickered toward the door instinctively. No sign of him. Had he left?

"To stop you from spiraling, I'll stay with you these next few days." Claire patted the empty space beside her. "Mind if I bunk here?"

"Of course not." Evelyn scooted over, making room.

Claire pulled her close with a playful grin. "You smell amazing."

Evelyn squirmed. "I haven't showered properly in days. Are you just being nice? What are you—"

"Think about it—you have a son, I have a daughter. If we got together, we'd have the perfect set!" Claire teased.

Evelyn rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile.

"Alright, no more jokes," Claire conceded. "Let's sleep."

For the first time in days, with Claire's steady presence beside her, Evelyn fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Morning brought the medical team's rounds. The head professor entered with a dozen interns in tow. Claire, still snoring softly, startled awake when Evelyn nudged her. Mortified at being caught by an audience, Claire scrambled out of bed, smoothing her wrinkled clothes.

The doctor examined Evelyn's incision and nodded approvingly. "Healing well. Barring complications, you could be discharged tomorrow."

"What about my baby?" Evelyn asked immediately.

"The neonatal team has him," the doctor replied. "You'll need to consult them separately about his condition."

The thought of her son consumed Evelyn. She'd been unconscious during delivery—hadn't even glimpsed him. What did her own child look like?

Understanding her unspoken longing, Claire helped her to the NICU.

"Your son was premature," the pediatrician explained clinically. "Underweight, underdeveloped lungs, only came off ventilation yesterday. His vitals remain unstable. Come back next week for updates."

"Please," Evelyn begged, tears welling. "I haven't seen him once since he was born."

Protocol strictly prohibited unnecessary contact with preemies. But seeing Evelyn's raw desperation, the doctor relented. "Wait here. We'll arrange something."

As realization dawned, Evelyn's pulse quickened. She gripped Claire's hand like a lifeline. Claire squeezed back reassuringly.

Soon, Evelyn stood before a glass partition, staring at the impossibly tiny bundle inside. Her son's skin was translucent, his body curled tightly, smaller than her forearm. The ventilator had left a faint mark on his button nose. An IV line taped to his delicate arm made Evelyn's heart constrict.

Her lips trembled, tears flowing freely. "He should be in my arms, not suffering alone in this machine."

She snapped a quick photo, but due to his jaundice, the nurse allowed only minutes before whisking him away. Leaning heavily on Claire, Evelyn dissolved into sobs.

"When Bella was born, she spent days in NICU too," Claire murmured. "They're stronger than they look. You'll bring him home soon."

Evelyn wiped her tears, resolve hardening. She was a mother now—falling apart wasn't an option. There was too much to prepare before her son came home.

Back in her room, they found Alexander waiting with breakfast. He set down a steaming thermos. "First time making this. Hope it's edible." Evelyn noticed the bandages on his hand—injured when she'd slammed the door yesterday.

Claire's temper flared instantly. If Evelyn wouldn't speak her mind, she certainly would.

"Where were you when Evelyn needed you most?" Claire snapped. "Showing up now with your half-hearted gestures? Too little, too late, Alexander. She endured labor alone, recovery alone—everything. What kind of husband does that make you? She trusted you completely, and you failed her."

"And let's not forget Isabella," Claire continued acidly. "Still in ICU, isn't she? If she's so important, why aren't you there? You two deserve each other—just stay away from Evelyn!"