Chapter 384

"Mr. Taylor, you must be exhausted. Annabelle has been right here all along."

Margaret Hamilton discreetly tugged at Alexander Hamilton's sleeve. "Take Evelyn away first. Your uncle isn't himself today."

Alexander understood, wrapping an arm around Evelyn Carter's shoulders.

"I'll go with you," Evelyn suddenly spoke up.

Anthony Taylor's eyes were bloodshot, his voice choked with emotion. "Good girl...thank you..."

Evelyn gently shrugged off Alexander's hand.

"Uncle Taylor has mistaken you for someone else," Alexander frowned. "Please calm down first."

"I'm more clear-headed than ever!" Anthony pointed at Evelyn excitedly. "She's Terry!"

Annabelle Taylor lunged forward to grab her father's arm. "Dad! Look carefully—I'm your daughter!"

"Get away!" Anthony shoved her aside and seized Evelyn's wrist. "Come with me, child."

Alexander immediately clamped down on Anthony's hand. "Uncle Taylor!"

"Let him take me," Evelyn said.

Pain flashed in Alexander's eyes. "Evelyn, I can't let you endure this humiliation again."

Tears streamed down Annabelle's face. "Why would a living person need a substitute?"

"Alexander," Evelyn met his gaze steadily. "Let me go."

Alexander's hand trembled slightly.

Seizing the opportunity, Anthony pulled Evelyn toward the ICU.

"Dad!"

"Mr. Taylor!"

Anthony ignored them, dragging Evelyn down the corridor at a near-run.

At the ICU doors, Evelyn suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Anthony was frantic with impatience.

"Protective gear," Evelyn said calmly. "We need sterile suits to enter the ICU."

A nurse emerged just then. "Dr. Carter?"

"Please prepare two sets of isolation gowns."

The nurse hesitated. "Regulations state only immediate family—"

"She's my mother," Evelyn said softly.

The nurse's eyes widened in shock.

Tears streamed down Anthony's weathered face. "Please hurry...my wife can't wait much longer..."

Seeing the resolve in Evelyn's eyes, the nurse finally nodded.

After sterilization, they entered the ICU.

Teresa Taylor on the hospital bed was skeletal, only the steady beeping of monitors proving she still lived.

Anthony collapsed at her bedside, clutching his wife's frail hand. "Darling...our daughter has come to see you..."

The room was silent except for the hum of machines.