Chapter 12
No.1
As Ethan retreated, Mrs. Wilson intercepted him in the hallway.
"Looking for Miss Sinclair?" She lowered her voice. "I might have an idea..."
——
Horizon Media's conference room.
Martha Nash was outlining this month's editorial focus when Evelyn Sinclair's phone vibrated.
She stepped into the corridor. Her face paled the moment she answered.
"Sophie?"
No.2
Her sister's frail voice came through. "Sis... this nice lady says she'll help me get treatment..."
Evelyn's nails dug into her palm.
"Isabella," she said tightly. "Leave my sister out of this."
Isabella Winslow's laugh slithered like a serpent. "So tense, Evelyn. I'm just visiting." A deliberate pause. "Such a sweet child. Accidents happen..."
Evelyn saw her mother's falling body flash before her eyes.
"What do you want?"
"One hour. The hospital." Isabella's tone was singsong. "Tick-tock."
No.3
The line went dead. Evelyn's hands still trembled. Outside, storm clouds gathered—mirroring that day when a silhouette had plunged from the sky.
Mom, don't jump—
She squeezed her eyes shut. When they reopened, all emotion had been locked away. She turned toward the elevators, footsteps urgent and resolute.
Dusk had settled when Evelyn Sinclair finally arrived at the hospital.
The ward stood empty, save for Isabella Winslow leaning against the window, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"Where's Sophie?" Evelyn rushed forward in three quick strides.
Isabella turned leisurely. "How prompt of you, Miss Sinclair." She twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "Pity your sickly little sister has already—"
No.4
"I asked where Sophie is!" Evelyn seized her wrist.
Isabella winced but smiled wider. "What? Afraid I'd toss her out the window?" Her gaze flicked meaningfully downward. "Like your mother all those years ago?"
Evelyn's pupils constricted.
"Guess what?" Isabella whispered in her ear. "When she learns her specialist flew abroad, and her beloved sister got thrown out by the Kingsleys—"
Evelyn lunged for the window before she could finish.
The lawn below lay deserted.
"Pathetic," Isabella sneered behind her.
No.5
A rush of air—Evelyn sidestepped, catching Isabella's wrist and shoving her halfway out the window.
"Kill me?" Evelyn's voice turned glacial. "You?"
Isabella paled, legs flailing. "L-let go—"
"Was my mother this terrified," Evelyn tightened her grip, "when she fell?"
"Evelyn!"
Alexander Kingsley's roar shattered the room. He yanked Evelyn away as Isabella collapsed, sobbing theatrically.
"Alex..." She clung to him. "I was just trying to contact specialists for Sophie..."
No.6
Alexander's glare cut into Evelyn. "Have you lost your mind?"
Staggering upright, Evelyn pulled out her phone. "Care to hear what she just said?"
"Enough!" He knocked the phone from her hand. "Even if she insulted your parents, does that warrant murder?"
The words cleaved Evelyn's heart like a blunt knife.
"My parents?" Her voice trembled. "Alexander Kingsley, you dare speak of them?"
Memories surged—
A teenage Alexander programming her fingerprint at the Kingsley estate gates.
No.7
"Remember, this is your home now."
Little Evelyn gazed up, eyes sparkling.
"Then who am I to you?"
"Alex!"
Her arms reached for a hug, met with his recoil—until warm fingers enveloped her icy hand.
"Come home."
...