Chapter 1726
No.1
Alexander nodded.
"Nothing leaves this room about what happened here."
Ethan nodded fervently, relieved Evelyn hadn't witnessed Lord Alex's state that day.
His life wouldn't be worth living if she had!
......
Silence reclaimed the ward.
Alexander stared out the window, fingers absently tracing his phone.
No.2
An hour passed.
Evelyn never came.
From Horizon Media to the hospital—just thirty minutes by subway.
Alexander tilted his head back, eyes closed.
Memories flooded unbidden.
That summer he broke his leg, Evelyn kept vigil day and night.
Waking in pain, he'd always find her curled at his bedside, tiny fingers clutching his, fast asleep.
No.3
From this angle, he'd watch her fluttering lashes, petite nose, rosebud lips.
The slightest movement would rouse her. Half-asleep, she'd murmur: "Doesn't hurt anymore, Alex..."
He'd grit through agony to say: "No. It doesn't."
Just to see her eyes sparkle, hear her soft voice:
"You're so brave, Alex. I'll be brave too..."
"Lord Alex," Ethan whispered through the door. "Miss Sinclair is here. Shall I let her in?"
The office door closed behind Victoria Henn. Evelyn Sinclair glanced at her watch—forty minutes behind schedule.
No.4
Her phone vibrated. A message from Eleanor Kingsley flashed:
"Evelyn, delete after watching. Tell no one."
Inside the elevator, her finger hovered over the video. She hesitated.
Only after exiting the hospital did she finally put on her earbuds.
"Evelyn..."
Alexander Kingsley's hoarse voice shattered her composure. Her grip faltered, nearly dropping the phone.
"Come here..." His words scraped like sandpaper, weak with illness. "I'm not angry anymore... Stop hiding from me."
No.5
She flipped the phone face-down against her palm.
"After I die, the Kingsleys will be yours..." His voice cracked. "If you want to be with Julian... then be with him."
A ragged inhale hissed through the earbuds. "Just promise me... Visit my grave once a year. Don't tell me about your life together. Never say you've broken up."
Her teeth sank into her lower lip.
She couldn't look. Couldn't bear seeing his pallor or tear tracks.
Couldn't risk relenting.
Had Eleanor sent this because his condition worsened?
No.6
The elevator's chime startled her. She'd missed her floor.
When she finally reached the ward, she froze at the corridor's turn.
"Miss Sinclair?"
Ethan Miller's surprised voice came from behind. Before she could respond, his footsteps hurried away.
Her fingers tightened around her bag strap.
Should she call after him? Or leave?
"Well, if it isn't Miss Sinclair."
No.7
Isabella Winslow's voice sliced through the air. She wore a new Chanel ensemble, carrying a thermal flask branded with a Michelin-starred restaurant's logo.
"Here to see Alex?" Her red lips curled. "Didn't I make myself clear last time?"
Evelyn's gaze flicked to Isabella's meticulously styled curls. "Trouble sleeping, Ms. Winslow? Your concealer isn't hiding those dark circles."
Isabella's smile stiffened. "You—"
"Heard Summer Sky has to cover Ryan Holt's breach penalty?" Evelyn's laugh was light. "Will your bonus still cover this month's handbag, Director Winslow?"
Crimson nails dug into Isabella's palm. "Evelyn Sinclair! How dare—"
"Miss Sinclair." Ethan reappeared, wringing his hands. "Lord Alex said... he's too tired for visitors today."