Chapter 140

"Adrian Valentine, leave." Nathan Aldridge blocked Adrian's path, his gaze sharp. "Evelyn doesn't need you right now."

Adrian's eyes still burned with fury, his voice icy. "She's my ex-wife."

Nathan scoffed. "Where was that thought when you stabbed her in the back? Stop pretending to care. Get out!"

Adrian remained motionless, like a statue rooted to the spot.

Nathan clenched his fists, frustration boiling over.

"What happened to my sister?" Gabrielle Flores rushed in, breathless, carrying Felicia Roland.

Zachary Deross and Nathan exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes darting to Adrian.

Gabrielle never left the house. She had no idea who Adrian was.

Buried in her medical studies, she was oblivious to the outside world.

The moment she saw the news alert about her sister's stabbing, she grabbed Felicia and bolted to Sterling Manor's private hospital.

She shoved the child into Zachary's arms.

Zachary fumbled awkwardly. "I don't know how to handle kids!"

Gabrielle glared. "Just keep her safe. I need to operate—the knife might have punctured her lung."

She tossed the diaper bag at Nathan before sprinting into the OR.

Nathan stared blankly. "I can't even make formula!"

Felicia blinked up at the operating room doors, her tiny face crumpling.

Zachary panicked. "Don't cry, sweetheart."

Nathan crouched beside them. "How about some candy?"

Felicia pointed at the OR, tears welling in her eyes.

"Mommy will be out soon," Zachary murmured.

A loud wail erupted.

Zachary rocked her desperately. "Shh, shh..."

Nathan rummaged through the bag and pulled out a bottle. "Milk!"

But Felicia spat it out immediately—it didn't smell like her mother.

Adrian's chest tightened at Gabrielle's mention of a lung injury.

Then his gaze snagged on the child in Zachary's arms. Something about her felt familiar.

As Zachary passed by, Felicia suddenly grabbed Adrian's sleeve.