Chapter 478

Liam straightened his coat before turning toward the voice. His expression darkened, eyes turning glacial.

Confusion flickered across his features as he addressed Victoria. "What's with the attitude?"

Victoria seemed to catch herself, smoothing her features before approaching him.

"Liam, I thought you'd be working late," she said, holding up a takeout bag. "I brought you dinner."

Her gaze slid toward Evelyn. A practiced smile curved her lips. "I didn't realize Ms. Wright would be here. I only brought enough for two."

Evelyn knew better than to engage. Her survival strategy was simple: avoid conflict, stay polite, get through each day unscathed.

She forced a smile. "No need to apologize, Ms. Hudson. I'll eat when I get home."

With quick fingers, she unbuttoned the coat and shrugged it off before Liam could help. Thrusting it toward him, she said, "There's no need to see me out."

The hurt flashing across Liam's face made her stomach clench.

"You two should eat. I won't disturb you," Evelyn said, her smile brittle. She nodded politely at Victoria before striding toward the elevator.

Liam moved to follow, but Victoria caught his wrist. "Where are you going?"

Shaking her off, Liam sprinted after Evelyn. Too late. The elevator doors slid shut.

He jammed the button repeatedly. When nothing happened, he bolted for the stairs, taking them three at a time.

Evelyn waited in the lobby, hands shoved in pockets, watching snowflakes swirl under amber streetlights. The scene should have been peaceful. Instead, it felt unbearably lonely.

She pressed a hand to her abdomen. No tears. Not now. The baby needed calm, not her heartbreak.

"Evelyn!" Liam's voice cracked through the lobby.

She turned to see him breathing hard, desperation in his eyes.

"General Blackwood," she said, forcing calm into her voice. "Rosalind will be here any minute. My dorm's only ten minutes away. You should go back."

He moved to drape the coat over her shoulders. "At least take this."

She stepped back, raising a hand. "I'm fine."

Liam's jaw tightened as he lowered the coat.

Evelyn glanced toward the elevators. "Victoria's waiting."

His fists clenched. "How many times must I say it?" Each word came out sharp, edged with frustration.

"Say what?"

"There's only one woman I want. It's not Victoria." His gaze burned into hers.

Evelyn's breath hitched. "I know."

Liam grabbed her arm, pulling her close. "Then why do you push me away?"

She stumbled against him, one hand flying to his chest to steady herself. Only when she confirmed the baby wasn't harmed did she exhale.

Then the dam broke.

She'd endured morning sickness alone. Navigated doctor's appointments alone. Faced every challenge without family or him by her side.

And she'd survived.