Chapter 931

Evelyn's fingertips brushed the photo album's cover, and she immediately sensed something unusual.

The yellowed edges of the photographs bore the marks of time, yet the paper itself felt unnaturally crisp and new.

Her head snapped up as she locked eyes with Alexander.

The man stood at the edge of light and shadow, his dark gaze fixed on her, silently awaiting her reaction.

Pages flipped rapidly beneath her fingers.

Each spread captured pivotal moments of Evelyn's life as the Andersons' daughter—her nervous expression cradling newborn Emily, the family's beaming faces at her middle school graduation, the celebratory portrait when her college acceptance letter arrived.

Memories flickered through her mind like a spinning zoetrope.

The second album felt noticeably lighter.

Evelyn hesitated three seconds before opening it.

Images showed a toddler's first steps, a pigtailed preschooler, finally freezing at a first-grade orientation photo. Blank pages dominated the remainder.

"This is..."

Her throat tightened as she recognized her childhood self.

Alexander wordlessly offered a tissue. "Your eyes are red."

She ignored it, gripping his wrist instead. "When did you prepare these?"

"Started collecting the day we learned the truth." His warm hand closed over her chilled fingers. "Some came from the old estate. Others were recovered negatives from local photo studios."

Teresa's hands trembled violently as she accepted the album.

Twenty-plus years of absence cut like blades, each photograph reopening old wounds. Only when Evelyn embraced her did the long-suppressed word escape: "Mom."

"I'm so sorry..." Teresa's voice shattered. "I missed so much of your life..."

Anthony pulled his weeping wife close, his own eyes glistening.

Nearby, Grace chuckled while tracing a childhood photo. "Your father nearly dismantled our closet hiding this album."

Emily pointed at one image. "See? You cried even more than I did."

"Liar." Evelyn reached for her sister's ear, but Emily dodged with a laugh.

Alexander discreetly captured the moment.

A minor debate arose during the family portrait.

"Evelyn should stand center," both mothers insisted simultaneously.

As she began protesting, the baby in her arms grabbed her collar with a delighted coo. Laughter erupted, and she naturally assumed the central position.

"Three, two, one—"

The shutter clicked just as Evelyn turned her head.

Grace and Teresa flanked her with linked arms while Emily flashed her signature peace sign behind them. Alexander stood at the periphery, his gaze never leaving her.

Like spring reviving withered branches, every lost year had been tenderly reclaimed.

Anthony gasped while reviewing the shots. "This candid one's perfect! Look how naturally Evelyn's smiling."

The image showed her gently wiping the baby's drool, her entire expression softened with affection. Behind her, Alexander's adoring gaze could have melted glaciers.

"I'm enlarging this for our living room," Teresa declared, unable to put the photo down.

Evelyn responded without thinking: "Whatever makes you happy, Mom and Dad."

She froze at her own words.

All her lingering doubts had quietly dissolved beneath her family's warm regard. Like dormant seeds finally breaking through winter soil.