Chapter 257

"Do you really think I'm that kind of man?"

Peter Harrison's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel.

Evelyn Carter gazed at the scenery rushing past the window. "Just asking."

"Could it be pre-wedding jitters?" Peter chuckled. "I'm not like Alexander Hamilton. You're the only leading lady in my life."

"I need more time."

"How long?"

Evelyn turned to face him. "Are you in a hurry?"

Peter rubbed the bridge of his nose. "My bad—always too impatient. It's fine. Take all the time you need. I'll wait."

"Drop me here."

"Let me take you to your building."

"No. The surgery was long. I need to walk and clear my head."

The apartment gate stood just ahead.

Peter hit the brakes. Evelyn grabbed her bag and disappeared into the night without looking back.

In the hospital corridor, Vivian Dempsey waved at her with dark circles under her eyes.

"Did we plan this?"

"Hmm?"

"Twin pandas, huh?"

Vivian had stayed up all night with Natalie Stapleton and looked exhausted. Evelyn had tossed and turned until dawn.

Now her whole family sang Peter's praises. If they suddenly broke up...

Just imagining her parents' relentless questioning made her temples throb.

"How's Natalie?"

"Her fever won't break. The on-call doctor's meds barely helped. Still running a low-grade temp."

Evelyn skimmed the chart.

"37.8°C—we'll monitor for now. No repeat antipyretics within 24 hours. If the fever persists tonight, I'll adjust the meds."

"Your call."

A commotion erupted down the hall.

Vivian barely stood when their office door slammed open.

A tattooed bruiser blocked the entrance, flanked by Mrs. Stapleton wailing behind him.

"Curse you! My poor daughter-in-law and grandson! This butcher killed my grandchild!"

Nurses struggled against the brute's bulk.

Vivian smacked the desk. "Back from vacation, I see? Where were you when your daughter-in-law hemorrhaged yesterday?"

"Lies! I was fetching a folk remedy to save the baby!"

Mrs. Stapleton lunged at Evelyn. "One day unsupervised, and you aborted my grandson! Are you even human? Since when do OB-GYNs play God?!"