Chapter 154

Evelyn pushed open the front door to find her mother knitting in the living room.

"Divorced?"

Her mother didn't look up, the needles still clicking rhythmically between her fingers.

Evelyn froze mid-step.

Her parents rarely went online, let alone followed high-society gossip. Someone must have tipped them off.

"Where's Emily?" She changed the subject. "I'll check on her studies."

Her father emerged from the kitchen, spatula in hand. "Not so fast. We need to talk."

"Her exams are coming up."

"Your sister's at tutoring," her mother finally set down the needles. "We arranged it specially."

Evelyn's stomach dropped.

This was an ambush.

"Yes. We're divorced."

Her mother frowned. "Why? Was it your demanding schedule? Or—"

"What else could it be?" Her father slammed the spatula on the table. "The Hamiltons are aristocracy. We're ordinary folks. I never approved this marriage. Evelyn, we never wanted you marrying into wealth. These mismatched unions always fail."

Her grip tightened on her bag strap.

Her father was half-right.

The gulf between her and Alexander was vast, but their problem wasn't incompatibility—it was the absence of love from the start.

Seeing her silence, her mother sighed and took her hand. "Maybe it's for the best. I always worried you'd suffer in that household."

"I'm fine."

"How long can you stay?"

"Two weeks." Evelyn forced a smile. "The director approved leave to see Emily through her exams."

Her mother's eyes glistened. "Then rest well."

"Mm."

"I'll make sweet-and-sour ribs tonight." Her mother headed to the kitchen. "Talk with your father."

Alone with her father, the air grew heavy.

He pulled out a cigarette pack, then shoved it back angrily.

"Dad, have you been sleeping enough?"

Andrew studied his daughter. "Neither of my girls gives me peace."

"Divorce isn't catastrophic." Evelyn kept her tone light. "I have stable work and plan to buy an apartment in Hudson. Once Emily starts university, we can reunite often."

"Buying property?" His brow furrowed. "Hudson's prices—"

"I'll manage."

"When exactly did you divorce?"

"...Two or three months ago."

"Where have you been living?"

"First with Vivian, then I rented my own place."

Her father scoffed. "The Hamiltons sure acted fast—kicking you out immediately."

Evelyn busied herself adjusting her bag strap.

"Need money?" he asked abruptly.

"I'm set."

"If you're short—" He produced a bank card. "PIN's your birthday."

Her nose stung as she pushed it back. "Really, I have savings."

"Take it!" He forced it into her palm. "Consider it your dowry."

The word shattered her composure.

What was meant as wedding preparations now became divorce support.

The chopping sounds from the kitchen and the range hood's roar filled the silence.

Her father squeezed her shoulder. "Just come home."