Chapter 303

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Evelyn Carter stood dressed and ready.

She lingered at the hospital lab entrance, fingers absently tracing the blood collection tube in her white coat pocket.

"Dr. Carter, you're early," a yawning colleague greeted while unlocking the door.

"Urgent test."

"That pressing?"

"Yes."

The centrifuge hummed, spinning glass vials of blood in dizzying circles.

When the report printed, her fingertips trembled slightly.

Type A.

Those two letters stabbed into her memory like a blade.

"Dr. Carter?" Dr. Porter's voice snapped her back. "You look pale."

She folded the paper sharply. "Just low blood sugar."

"Bed 53's results aren't ready yet. Maybe rest in the lounge?"

"No need."

Once the hallway emptied, she shredded the report to confetti.

As scraps fluttered into the trash, Anthony Taylor's broken voice echoed in her mind: "We searched for our daughter over twenty years..."

......

The dean's call came unexpectedly.

"Evelyn, Hudson City needs you sooner. Can you relocate early?"

Her desk calendar still showed last week's date.

She turned a page quietly. "Understood."

Natalie Stapleton's hospital room smelled of chicken soup.

"Evelyn!" The girl's rounded cheeks glowed as she gestured to a thermos. "Mom made ginseng broth today."

Evelyn smoothed the sheets. "Your color's better."

"Dad's force-feeding me five meals daily." Natalie whispered, "I've gained five pounds."

"That's progress." She tucked in the blanket corners. "How's recovery?"

"Perfect!" Natalie suddenly gripped her hand. "The court summons arrived. Trial's next month."

The door handle turned mid-sentence.

"Mom, you're early—" Natalie's voice choked.

Simon Stapleton's greasy smile appeared in the doorway.

Evelyn blocked the bed instantly. "Get out!"

"Now, now." He rubbed his hands. "Just checking on my wife—"

"Security!"

"Unnecessary." A baritone voice interrupted. "I brought him."

Alexander Hamilton stepped inside, his tailored suit immaculate.

Simon scrambled aside. "After you, Mr. Hamilton."

Natalie clutched the sheets. "Mr. Hamilton?"

Evelyn felt the girl trembling behind her.

"My apologies." Alexander's gaze swept the room before settling on Evelyn. "May we enter?"