Chapter 12

Evelyn let out a soft sigh, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Your father isn't feeling well today. Don't worry—I'll bring it up with him again tomorrow."

Nathan studied her with narrowed eyes, searching for any hint of deception in her expression. Before he could respond, the hospital room door creaked open.

Margaret stepped inside, her voice calm but firm. "Leonard wants to see you both now."

Nathan and Evelyn followed her into the room, where Leonard lay propped up against the pillows. Though his complexion was still pale, there was a determined glint in his eyes.

"Nathan," Leonard rasped, his voice weak but unwavering. "You will not divorce Evelyn. Do I make myself clear?"

Nathan exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Fine. No divorce. Just focus on getting better." Despite the irritation in his tone, concern flickered in his gaze.

Leonard turned to Evelyn next. "And you, Evelyn. Promise me you won't leave him."

Without hesitation, she nodded. "I won't."

A relieved sigh escaped Leonard, and he sank back into the pillows, finally at ease.

Once they ensured he was resting, Nathan and Evelyn stepped out into the hallway.

Then, abruptly, Evelyn's phone rang.

She answered, and a sharp, demanding voice crackled through the line.

"Evelyn! You've been back in the country for days, yet you haven't even bothered to come home. Do you think you're above us now? Get here. Now."

The caller was none other than Victor Sterling—her biological father.

A cold smirk tugged at Evelyn's lips as she listened, her expression unreadable. "Understood," she replied flatly before ending the call.

Without sparing Nathan another glance, she turned on her heel and walked away.

When she arrived at the Sterling estate, she punched in the security code at the front gate.

Incorrect password.

Frowning, she tried again.

Incorrect password.

A bitter laugh escaped her.

Instead of knocking, she circled to the back of the mansion. Five minutes later, she returned with a sledgehammer in hand.

With one powerful swing, she smashed the lock.

The deafening bang triggered the estate's alarm system, its shrill wail piercing the air.

Almost instantly, the front door flew open.

The butler, wide-eyed and flustered, gaped at her. "This is outrageous! Do you have any idea whose home this is? You can't just—"

Evelyn didn't let him finish.

She stepped past him, her expression icy.

"I know exactly whose home this is."