Chapter 629

Evelyn's legs suddenly gave out beneath her.

Alexander caught her before she could collapse, his arms tightening around her trembling form.

"Evelyn..." His voice was low and controlled, yet his grip spoke volumes. "I'm here."

Her lashes fluttered violently as her fingers dug into the sleeves of his suit. She tried to stand, but even lifting her head seemed impossible.

Alexander pulled her closer. "Don't force yourself."

The waiting room bench was just steps away, but Evelyn remained rooted in place. She pressed her forehead against his chest, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

When the first tear soaked through his shirt, Alexander felt her fists clench tighter in the fabric.

The dam broke. Sobs she'd held back for days tore from her throat as she clung to him like a lost child.

Medical staff passing through the corridor cast sympathetic glances, but Alexander turned, shielding her completely from view.

Her cries grew hoarse. He remained silent, one hand cradling the back of her head as if soothing a frightened animal.

The ICU doors swung open abruptly.

A doctor emerged—Evelyn's former classmate—his white coat stained with blood. "Evelyn, you need to prepare yourself."

Her entire body went rigid.

"Mr. Anderson requires further observation in the ICU." The doctor chose his words carefully. "We'll determine treatment after additional tests."

She recognized this clinical phrasing too well. These were the same hollow reassurances she'd given countless families. Now, standing in their shoes, she understood the crushing despair behind those words.

Her fingers were ice-cold as she accepted the critical condition notice, the paper trembling in her grasp.

"I'll sign." Alexander took the pen from her hand. Under "Relationship to Patient," he wrote two decisive words: Son-in-Law.

The doctor glanced uncertainly at Evelyn.

She stared blankly toward the ICU, her eyes empty.

When Andrew was wheeled out, tubes snaking across his body, Evelyn followed like a shadow until the glass doors separated them.

Alexander returned from completing paperwork to find her pressing her forehead against the glass, a discarded doll.

"Go rest," he murmured. "I'll stay."

She shook her head, strands of hair whispering against the glass. "I'm not leaving."

He didn't argue, simply positioned himself beside her, becoming her steady support.

Frantic footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Grace Anderson stumbled forward, supported by Emily. She swayed at the sight of her husband through the glass. "Andrew...?"

"Mom—" Evelyn's voice caught.

Grace's eyes rolled back as she crumpled.

"Mom!"

Alexander sprinted for help while Emily bit her lip hard, tears falling like rain. "Sis, I'll take care of her."

Evelyn tried to follow but her legs refused to move. Watching her sister's retreating figure, she suddenly covered her face and sank to the floor.

"I promised Dad..." Her voice shattered. "I promised to protect them..."

Alexander knelt, gently prying her fingers from their death grip on her palms. "You've done everything right."

A shrill alarm pierced the air.

Evelyn's head snapped up as a nurse rushed out. "He's awake, but..." The nurse hesitated. "You should come now."

Her pupils contracted violently.

"I'll get them." Alexander took off running, his white shirt billowing behind him.

Evelyn pushed through the ICU doors to find Andrew smiling at her—that same warm smile from childhood when he'd pick her up after school.

"Dad..." She threw herself at the bedside, clutching his needle-marked hand.

His grip was warm and dry, squeezing back gently. "My Evelyn..."

The monitor's steady line began to flatten. Pressing his hand to her cheek, she remembered childhood fevers when these same fingers had soothed her forehead.