Chapter 689

Vivian eyed Ethan Roscente with suspicion, convinced he was lying.

Ethan seemed to read her thoughts and cleared his throat. "Ask Theo if you don't believe me."

Theo blinked his large eyes. "Uncle Ethan did call you, but it was really quiet, like a mosquito."

Vivian sighed and rubbed her temples, resigning herself to the situation.

On the other side of the airport, royal attendants waited by the private tarmac.

The three of them walked toward the jet, with Ethan holding both Vivian and Theo's hands.

The cabin was spacious and bright. Ethan handed her a blanket. "Want to rest a bit longer?"

"No." Vivian signaled the flight attendant. "An Americano, please."

She flipped open the prenatal report, her brow furrowing. The queen's surgical plan needed reevaluation.

Minimally invasive surgery was the best option. Performing open surgery on such a small fetus was too risky.

Throughout the flight, Vivian studied the surgical notes while Ethan tackled a mountain of paperwork.

Theo sat quietly beside them, engrossed in a medical atlas.

The child was exceptionally gifted—barely four years old and already grasping basic medical concepts.

By the time the plane landed, dawn was breaking over the Kingdom of Eudora.

Fiona Grandelle greeted them at the airport, surprised to see Ethan. "Will you be staying at the palace?"

There were plenty of guest rooms available.

Ethan shook his head. "I have an estate in the suburbs." He glanced at Theo, who was practically vibrating with excitement. "This one's too loud."

"Tell me about it," Vivian muttered. "The palace is no place for outsiders."

Fiona hesitated, sensing the tension between them.

"Let's go, Fiona." Vivian pulled her sister toward the car without looking back.

Ethan took Theo to the estate.

The moment they stepped out of the car, Theo looked up with hopeful eyes. "Uncle Ethan, can I see Mom?"

Ethan froze.

"It's been so long." Theo's eyes welled up. "She said she missed me last time."

Kneeling to meet the boy's gaze, Ethan hesitated. Sophia Evans was in no state for visitors.

The deranged woman had been confined for months. There was no telling what she might do.