Chapter 251

The surgical lights flickered to life.

The air was cold, but Evelyn Carter's hands remained steady.

"Olivia, wipe my forehead."

A sterile gauze pressed gently against her temple.

"Thanks. Hemostat."

Metal clinked into her palm.

The weight felt wrong.

She looked up into a pair of strong, capable hands.

"Olivia's making a phone call," came Gregory Wilson's muffled voice behind his mask.

Evelyn suddenly remembered her assistant wasn't present.

"Dr. Carter!" Olivia burst back in, phone clutched tightly. "Mrs. Stapleton just said—"

"What?"

"If it's a girl...just dispose of it."

The scalpel stilled in Evelyn's fingers.

"And if it's a boy?"

"Save the baby..." Olivia's voice cracked. "She said Simon can sign the forms later—"

Gregory's pen scratched violently across the chart.

Evelyn took a deep breath. "Get Simon Stapleton on the phone."

"No answer. His mother says he's in some important meeting—"

Important meeting?

Evelyn's lips curled.

More likely busy entertaining Lora.

"Notify the hospital director," she said with terrifying calm. "This can't be covered up."

Fresh gauze dabbed her forehead.

Gregory murmured, "Finish the surgery first."

Four hours later.

The final suture was tied.

Evelyn's scrubs clung to her drenched back.

"Go rest." Gregory took the chart. "I'll monitor Recovery."

The hallway.

The hospital director slumped against the wall like a broken statue.

"Natalie—"

"Successful procedure." Evelyn steadied his shaking shoulders.

The older man suddenly pounded his chest. "This is all my fault!"

Olivia rushed to restrain him. "Director, please—"

"I need to see Natalie!"

"Not yet." Evelyn held firm. "Wait until she wakes."

The office door flew open.

Vivian Dempsey sprang up. "Well?"

Evelyn collapsed into a chair and shut her burning eyes.