Chapter 720

P...

Vanessa Hart lounged in her hospital bed, a smug smile playing on her lips. The baby swap had gone perfectly. A week since giving birth, and not a single Whitmore family member had bothered to visit.

During her pregnancy, Eleanor Whitmore had been ecstatic about the coming grandchild. But perhaps because Evelyn Sinclair was Vincent Black's mistress, Eleanor's attitude had shifted dramatically - she hadn't even sent anyone to inquire about the child.

Their indifference worked in Vanessa's favor. The switch had been executed flawlessly. She imagined presenting this healthy baby boy at Whitmore Manor - they'd have to adore him then.

Vanessa felt certain. But even if they didn't? It didn't matter. This was Evelyn Carter's son. And watching Evelyn's child suffer in the Whitmore household? That thought alone brought Vanessa immense satisfaction.

Alexander Whitmore paced outside the hospital for hours, his mind in turmoil. No man could simply accept that his wife had betrayed him so completely.

It wasn't just the infidelity - Evelyn had crossed an unforgivable line. Worse still, Alexander had repeatedly asked if her relationship with Ethan Caldwell was truly over. Each time, she'd sworn it was.

He'd chosen to believe her because he wanted to.

Because he'd dreamed of them becoming a real family. Now? Not only had she lied, but the child he'd eagerly awaited wasn't even his - it was Ethan's. And she'd planned to deceive him forever?

The pain twisted in Alexander's chest. "She could have been honest," he thought bitterly. "We could have talked it through. But she didn't. Doesn't that prove she never loved me? That she never cared?"

It made terrible sense. This marriage had been his idea from the start. Perhaps he'd been the only one invested. Why else would Evelyn keep pushing for divorce?

No matter how he tried to deny it, the truth cut deep - Evelyn didn't love him. The realization crushed him, each breath feeling like shards of glass in his lungs.

After over an hour wandering the hospital grounds, Alexander finally returned to the NICU when his phone rang.

The baby had a congenital heart defect requiring immediate surgery. By the time Alexander arrived, the child was already in the operating room.

Standing outside the OR, Alexander sent Simon Graves to handle payments while a nurse ushered him into an office to sign consent forms.

She handed him a thick stack of documents - mostly liability waivers that underscored the surgery's risks.

"Mr. Whitmore, please review these before signing," the nurse said. Alexander barely glanced at the papers before scrawling his signature.

The nurse, mistaking his distraction for concern, tried to reassure him. "Our top cardiac surgeon is operating. Your son couldn't be in better hands."

Alexander's gaze dropped, expression unreadable. "Mm." Once all documents were signed, the nurse collected them and left.

The procedure lasted five grueling hours. When the surgeon finally emerged, night had fallen. "The first operation succeeded," the lead surgeon said, removing his glasses as he approached Alexander. "He'll need careful post-op care and regular checkups. A second procedure will be necessary around age three."

Alexander nodded silently. The cool night air from the window seemed to finally ground him.

"Thank you, doctor."

"Just doing my job," the doctor replied politely.

A standard exchange, yet no one knew the strength it took Alexander to say those words.

This was Evelyn and Ethan's child. Most men discovering their wife bore another man's baby might wish the child dead on the operating table. That thought never crossed Alexander's mind.

Though devastated by Evelyn's betrayal, Alexander knew the child was innocent. He couldn't punish a baby for its parents' sins. No matter what, this child was part of Evelyn - and he still loved her.

"Please don't tell my wife," Alexander said solemnly. "She's recovering from childbirth and a car accident. Knowing about the heart condition would devastate her."

He understood Evelyn's attachment to the child and didn't want her worrying during recovery. Naturally, he'd prevent the doctor from sharing the diagnosis.

The doctor nodded. "Understood, Mr. Whitmore. We'll consult with you first."

Soon, the baby was wheeled from the OR straight to NICU - the emergency had prevented Alexander from even seeing his... no, Ethan's child.

Exiting the hospital, Alexander lit a cigarette. Instead of going home, he headed to Eclipse Lounge, ordering whiskey and sinking into a secluded booth.

He felt suffocated, unable to face Evelyn. How could he pretend nothing happened? Continue raising another man's child? As the boy grew, his resemblance to Ethan would only become more pronounced. How could Alexander possibly ignore that?

Mid-drink, Alexander spotted Ethan at the bar. His eyes darkened dangerously. Setting down his glass, he strode over and punched Ethan square in the jaw.

Ethan, nursing his drink, barely registered the attack before Alexander's fist connected. He nearly cursed until recognizing his assailant. "What the hell, Uncle Alex? What's your problem?"

Ethan could smell the alcohol on Alexander - the man was clearly drunk. The situation baffled him. "Uncle Alex has everything - beautiful wife, new baby, thriving career. Shouldn't he be celebrating? If anyone should be drowning sorrows, it's me with my failed marriage and struggling business."

Alexander drew back for another punch. Ethan raised his arms defensively. "At least tell me why you're attacking me!"

Ethan wracked his brain but couldn't fathom Alexander's rage. Unless... it involved Evelyn. Since that hospital confrontation where Evelyn cut ties, Ethan had kept his distance. "This is ridiculous. He's just taking out his frustrations on me. Uncle Alex must be completely wasted."

"Why?" Alexander sneered, lips curling with contempt. "You really don't know?"

How could he possibly voice this humiliation? How could he admit that the child he'd thought was his actually belonged to the man before him?