Chapter 405

After hanging up the phone, Evelyn returned to the hospital room to find Alexander had already left.

The medical waste from the dressing change had been neatly disposed of by him.

The solitude brought her relief. She lay back on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, a familiar figure appeared in the hospital room.

Natalie was carefully feeding Teresa spoonfuls of porridge.

"Evelyn." Natalie brightened when she saw her enter.

Evelyn nodded. "You're here early."

"My dad says we should repay kindness. I don’t have much going on anyway." Natalie handed her the bowl. "You take over."

Evelyn accepted the bowl and continued feeding Teresa with gentle movements.

"Natalie."

"Yes?"

"Were you alone when you arrived?"

Natalie shook her head. "Uncle Anthony was here. He just went to the cafeteria for breakfast, so I stepped in to help."

"This porridge..."

"I made it special—added red dates and goji berries. Great for recovery."

Before she could finish, Anthony rushed in, empty-handed and pale.

"Oh, you're here, Evelyn..."

Evelyn looked up. "What’s wrong?"

Anthony sighed. "Annabelle—older than you but still so careless. We spoiled her too much."

"Did she cause trouble again?"

"She forgot to turn off the stove last night. The old house caught fire." Anthony wrung his hands. "All that wood—it spread so fast."

Evelyn didn’t pause in feeding Teresa. "Is everyone alright?"

"Thank goodness Alexander got there in time..." Anthony suddenly clamped his mouth shut, then hurried to explain, "He was worried the fire might spread to the Hamilton estate. Definitely not for Annabelle’s sake. Don’t overthink it."

So that was why he’d left in such a hurry last night.

Evelyn said flatly, "As long as no one was hurt."

Natalie muttered under her breath, "A grown woman setting a house on fire. Impressive."

Anthony flushed. "She never stepped foot in a kitchen growing up..."

"Well, now that the old house is gone, I don’t have to move in." Evelyn set down the empty bowl.

"I’ll buy you a new place!" Anthony said eagerly. "Any neighborhood you like."

"We’ll see."

Teresa, exhausted from the meal, began to drift off.

Evelyn helped her lie down and tucked her in. "Go check on Annabelle. I’ve got things here."

"No, no, I’ll stay."

"Aren’t you worried about her?"

"..."

"Twenty years of raising someone—of course you’re attached." Evelyn’s tone was calm. "Don’t let her think I’m keeping you away."

Anthony sighed heavily and patted her shoulder. "I’ll be back soon."

"Natalie, could you see him out?"

Natalie understood. "Uncle Anthony, let’s take the back exit. The front’s too crowded."

Once they left, Teresa fell asleep quickly.

The door hadn’t closed all the way. Out of the corner of her eye, Evelyn spotted someone waving animatedly in the hallway.

She chuckled and called a nurse to keep watch before stepping out.

"Evelyn!" Vivian launched into a bear hug. "I’m so sorry—I couldn’t get away with my grandma hospitalized."

Evelyn peeled her off. "Family comes first."

"You’re practically aristocracy now!" Vivian gestured dramatically. "The Taylors’ empire dwarfs my dad’s company. You’ve got to look out for me."

Evelyn poked her forehead. "Cut it out. I’m just a regular doctor."

They settled onto a bench in the hallway.

"You’re really not claiming the family business?" Vivian’s eyes widened. "You’d let that adopted sister take it? Evelyn, fight for what’s yours!"

"I know nothing about business."

"And she does? Alexander can bail her out now, but forever?"

Evelyn gazed out the window. "We’ll cross that bridge when we get there."

"Still going to the UK?"

"Not for now." Evelyn shook her head. "Too much to sort out here."

Vivian sighed. "Such a wasted opportunity."

"Healing people is healing people, wherever I am."

"You’re just accepting this?"

Evelyn smiled bitterly. "Isn’t life just one compromise after another?"

"What about your adoptive parents—"

"Later." Evelyn changed the subject. "How’s Emily doing at school?"

Vivian immediately perked up. "Your sister’s a social butterfly! Joined half a dozen clubs, on the student council—swamped but thriving."

Evelyn laughed. "She adapted fast."

"Best part? The basketball team captain asked her out. Guess what she said?" Vivian mimicked Emily’s deadpan expression. "One word: No. And this guy’s gorgeous—tall, built..."

Evelyn’s smile faltered.

The ex-boyfriend’s damage ran deep.

Looks like Emily would be steering clear of basketball players for life.