Chapter 145
This was the most excruciating memory Evelyn had buried deep within her soul.
After losing her unborn child two years ago, Evelyn couldn't bear to walk past any baby stores.
She avoided all conversations about children. Even seeing infant commercials on television would send her into silent sobs, clutching her head in agony.
That fateful Christmas Eve remained etched in Evelyn's mind. She and Reginald had been driving to Crescent Bay to witness the rare snowfall when the accident happened. Ignoring her own injuries, she carried the unconscious old man to a taxi, buying precious time for his rescue.
At that time, the Blackwood family was vacationing in Valmont, while Nathan was celebrating Christmas with Victoria in Silvercrest.
Evelyn endured unbearable abdominal pain until Marcus Underwood arrived. Then darkness claimed her.
"Young Madam! You're hemorrhaging!"
In her fading consciousness, Evelyn saw the crimson tide staining her clothes. That warm, sticky sensation became her eternal nightmare.
That's how she discovered her two-month pregnancy.
Before she could embrace motherhood's joy, she'd lost Nathan's child forever.
"Young Madam! I'll contact Master Nathan immediately!"
Marcus fumbled with his phone in panic, but Evelyn grabbed his wrist.
"Don't... Please..."
Tears streamed down her face as she begged. "Nathan doesn't know... If he finds out, he'll be devastated... Please keep this secret for me?"
Clutching her empty womb, Evelyn wept until her voice shattered.
Watching Evelyn relive this trauma, Sophia panicked and pulled her into a fierce embrace. Lillian and Camille joined the protective circle, their arms forming an unbreakable shield.
"It's my fault! Forgive me, Evelyn... I won't mention it again..." Sophia, usually sharp-tongued, stumbled over her comforting words.
"Actually... I should be grateful."
Evelyn forced a brittle smile. "Better this way than letting my child grow up witnessing their parents' broken marriage... At least they were spared this cruel world."
Sleep eluded Evelyn that night.
Behind closed eyelids, she kept seeing the blood and that tiny, lifeless form. She curled into a fetal position beneath the blankets, yet no warmth could penetrate her icy grief.
In those dark days following her loss, Evelyn cried until her tears ran dry.
Bullets on the battlefield hadn't made her flinch, but this loss shattered her soul.
"Forgive me, little one," she whispered into the darkness. "Mommy failed you. Will we ever meet again?"
At dawn, Evelyn descended the stairs looking every inch the elegant heiress despite her sleepless night.
"Evelyn, I made your favorite breakfast. Eat before you leave?" Camille adjusted her apron, noting Evelyn's bloodshot eyes with a pang.
"Please pack it, Aunt Camille. I'll eat in the car." Evelyn's radiant smile belied her sorrow. "Morning meeting at the hotel - can't be late."
"Of course. I'll include extra for Theodore too." Camille's maternal smile warmed the kitchen.
"My thanks, Madam Camille." Theodore bowed as he entered.
Evelyn departed Cliffside Manor quietly, not wishing to disturb Harrison's sleep. She'd return to Crestview without farewells.
"Evelyn, remember - if those Blackwoods trouble you at the hotel, tell us immediately!" Lillian's eyes flashed with remembered anger from the charity auction incident. "Next time I'll use a mouth ulcer poison! Silence their venomous tongues!"
"Paralysis would be better!" Sophia cracked her knuckles. "Teach those Blackwoods to mess with our Evelyn!"
Evelyn didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
The Larson medical empire spanned Crestview and Fairhaven's finest hospitals. As heir to this legacy, Lillian's pharmaceutical skills were formidable - making her threats far from empty.