Chapter 465

The grand halls of Solterra's government buildings buzzed with excitement as Evelyn Carter made her unexpected return. High-ranking officials personally welcomed her, their faces alight with admiration and relief.

Yet the celebration proved fleeting.

Before the welcoming speeches could conclude, Evelyn calmly presented her resignation letter to the astonished assembly.

This wasn't her first attempt. Five times before, she'd sought to leave her position, only to be persuaded to stay. Each refusal had weighed heavier than the last.

A team of government counselors immediately mobilized, their sole mission to change her mind. They arrived daily with new incentives, promises, and appeals to patriotism.

With Rosalind Baskins no longer serving as her assistant, the research institute assigned a new aide to manage Evelyn's schedule and needs.

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Evelyn maintained her rigorous work routine by day, but nights found her preparing meticulously for departure. She compiled years of hydronium research into comprehensive reports, ensuring nothing would be lost when she left.

Four weeks passed in this rhythm.

Then one morning at dawn, Evelyn awoke with a sudden, violent nausea. She barely made it to the bathroom before dry heaves wracked her body.

After the episode passed, she rinsed her mouth with trembling hands and returned to her bedroom. With practiced movements, she opened the secured safe beside her bed.

Among the classified documents lay fifteen unused pregnancy tests - and three that had already delivered negative results.

Each morning brought the same ritual, the same hope, the same crushing disappointment. The cycle left her emotionally raw, her nerves frayed with anticipation.

This time, her heart pounded as she entered the bathroom once more.

Standing before the mirror, Evelyn watched the test strip with bated breath. The seconds stretched endlessly until...

One line appeared. Then, miraculously, a second.

Evelyn's hands flew to her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. Her entire body trembled with joy. Only one thought filled her mind: Liam.

She needed to return to Aldenria immediately. To stand before him and say those precious words: "Liam, I'm carrying our child. Marry me properly this time."

Rushing back to her room, she reached for the secure landline - then froze.

Every call from the research institute was monitored. This news couldn't be shared over tapped lines.

As she lowered the receiver, another wave of nausea hit. Evelyn barely made it back to the bathroom before vomiting acidic bile into the sink.

When the spasms finally ceased, she tenderly cradled her abdomen. "Be strong, little one," she whispered. "Your father and I have waited so long for you."

Frederick Mills, director of the Solterra Research Institute, stared at the sixth resignation request from his star scientist with growing concern. He'd rejected the previous five, but this one contained troubling new information.

He found Evelyn in her laboratory, fingers flying across a holographic keyboard. She stood respectfully when he entered. "Director Mills."

His hands shook slightly as he held up the document. "Evelyn... this mentions pregnancy. Is this true?"

She gestured to a chair and poured tea, her movements graceful despite the morning sickness. Frederick waved away the offering. "The father... it's Aldenria's Defense General, isn't it?"

Evelyn met his gaze steadily. "As noted in my previous reports, Director, I married General Blackwood during my amnesia in Aldenria."

"But you weren't pregnant then," Frederick pressed.

"Correct. After my memories returned, our emotional connection remained. The pregnancy... happened before I realized." Her hand drifted unconsciously to her stomach.

Frederick sighed deeply, his expression conflicted. After a long silence, he tried once more. "Evelyn, you're a national treasure. Your contributions to chemical research are unparalleled. The government would provide everything - the finest care, elite education-"

"I want my child to have two parents," Evelyn interrupted softly. "A complete family. That's what I can't provide here."