Chapter 115

The medical team rushed forward immediately. They comforted Victoria while addressing Liam, "Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Wright is in an extremely fragile state right now."

"It would be best if you avoid further upsetting her. Perhaps hold her and provide some comfort."

Liam hesitated for a brief moment, his chest tightening as he watched Victoria's shoulders shake with sobs.

He finally pulled her into an embrace. "Don't cry now, and please don't do anything reckless again."

Victoria buried her face against his chest, her voice breaking. "Have you forgotten, Liam? That day at the airport when I left Aldenria, you made me promise never to forget you or love anyone else! You swore you'd wait for me in Aldenria until I returned!"

Her nails dug into his sleeves. "You said you'd wait your whole life for me. Now I've come back, yet you refuse to marry me..."

The memory of their painful separation flooded Liam's mind as vividly as if it were yesterday. How could he ever forget the agony of parting with his first love?

Yet now, standing here with Victoria, he felt none of the old emotions - no attraction, no nervous flutter, not even the faintest spark of desire.

Perhaps people's hearts truly change with time. Or maybe he was simply an unfaithful bastard.

Gently stroking her hair, he spoke in the tone one might use with a younger sister. "I'm sorry, Victoria."

Liam ended up spending the entire day at Wright Manor to keep Victoria company.

That night, he texted Evelyn: "Won't be coming home tonight. Get some rest."

Evelyn had anticipated this outcome. Despite her mental preparation, a heavy weight settled in her chest. Sleep eluded her that night.

The next morning found Evelyn waiting outside the hospital entrance under the oppressive midday sun, her heart leaden.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, the air thick with humidity. Not a single breeze stirred the stagnant atmosphere.

Dorothy leaned against a pillar nearby, her patience wearing thin. "Who are we waiting for, dear? We should go inside before the queues get longer."

Evelyn remained silent, the light in her eyes dimmed to embers.

Eventually, a sleek black sedan pulled up. Ryan and Adrian stepped out, approaching Evelyn with respectful nods. "Mrs. Blackwood."

Dorothy, unable to hear clearly from her position, grew curious about these imposing men treating her daughter with such deference and moved closer.

Evelyn's hope had already withered. "Where's Mr. Blackwood?" she asked weakly.

"Mr. Blackwood couldn't make it, so he sent us to accompany you instead."

With a quiet nod, Evelyn turned and walked into the hospital, Dorothy hurrying after her in confusion.

Ryan and Adrian flanked Evelyn throughout the examination, particularly during the blood test. They revealed their identities to the attending physician, warning against any mistakes in no uncertain terms.

After the blood draw, the two men remained to oversee the testing process while Evelyn and Dorothy stepped outside. Rain had begun to fall, the cold droplets soaking into the pavement.

Evelyn pressed a hand to her constricted chest. "It's raining, Mom," she murmured.

Dorothy glanced skyward. "Doesn't look like it'll stop soon."

"I feel feverish. I think I'll walk in the rain for a while. You should take a cab home."

"W-what?"

Before Dorothy could react, Evelyn had already stepped into the downpour.

"You'll catch your death, foolish girl!" Dorothy called after her, but made no move to stop her daughter.

As the rain soaked through Evelyn's clothes and hair, her body grew numb with cold. Her vision blurred, though she could still make out the vague shape of the path ahead.

Tears mixed with raindrops on her cheeks. Each heartbeat sent fresh waves of pain through her chest.

She told herself this was just the rain's doing. Nothing to do with Liam at all.