Chapter 310
No.1
Madeline Kingsley's slap landed with barely more force than a passing breeze.
Alexander Kingsley's hair didn't even stir.
Yet that single gesture flipped an invisible switch, plunging the examination room into dead silence.
Eleanor Kingsley clamped a hand over her mouth, her breath freezing in her throat.
Madeline's outstretched arm remained suspended midair as her face drained of color.
Alexander's expression smoothed into eerie calm.
The smoldering fury vanished, replaced by glacial detachment.
No.2
"Perfect." His voice could have flash-frozen the room. "Now I won't have to call you grandmother anymore."
He turned on his heel.
Madeline stumbled after him in sudden panic, grasping at his sleeve. "Alexander! You can't abandon your own grandmother!"
He shook her off without breaking stride.
The anger that had propelled him here had evaporated.
That slap shattered his last pretense of familial obligation.
He'd never been the devoted grandson—now he wouldn't even pretend.
No.3
The hallway stretched empty.
Evelyn Sinclair was gone.
Alexander's stomach dropped.
He quickened his pace, his mind laser-focused: Find her.
She'd promised to stay with him today...
"Alexander!" Madeline's wail echoed behind him. "Don't leave me—"
Eleanor's shriek followed: "Mother! Stay calm!"
No.4
Alexander hesitated for half a step before continuing forward.
He threw open the hospital room door to find Evelyn walking toward him, bag in hand.
"Evelyn." He shut the door behind him, blocking the exit.
"Give me my phone." Her eyes remained red-rimmed, but her voice steadied.
"You took the day off." He stood his ground. "You promised."
"What happened back there—you can ignore it. I can't."
"I'm not ignoring anything." His gaze flickered involuntarily toward the hospital bed.
No.5
The phone lay there.
He'd left it in his haste.
Thank God she hadn't noticed yet...
Evelyn caught the direction of his glance.
She turned just as Alexander moved.
Alexander Kingsley rushed to the hospital bed in three quick strides and grabbed the glowing phone.
The elevator dinged open at the same moment.
No.6
He whirled around just in time to catch a glimpse of Evelyn Sinclair's coat disappearing through the doors.
"Evelyn!" Alexander sprinted after her. "Stop!"
The VIP ward hallway stretched empty and silent, their footsteps echoing sharply.
Evelyn reached the elevator, stabbing the down button repeatedly.
"I won't chase you," Alexander suddenly halted, holding up the phone. "It's Mom calling."
The elevator took forever. When Evelyn glanced back, she recognized the flashing name on the screen.
She bit her lower lip, conflict flashing in her eyes.
No.7
Alexander seized the chance to step closer. "No one can hurt you while I'm here."
Evelyn laughed then—a bitter, broken sound.
"Hurt?" she whispered.
Hadn't the deepest wounds been carved by the man standing before her?
"Mom's waiting." Alexander advanced again, the phone screen glinting in her face.
The elevator doors finally parted, revealing impatient passengers inside.
Evelyn took a deep breath and released the button.