Chapter 281

Evelyn let out a weary sigh as her gaze swept across the hospital corridor. "Julian, come with me. We need to talk privately."

"Do we really have to move? Can't we just speak here?" Julian's face twisted with visible reluctance, his fingers tightening around his medical clipboard.

With gentle insistence, Evelyn tugged at the sleeve of his white coat. "Please, Julian. This isn't the right place. We might disturb Grandma Eleanor."

After a tense moment, Julian finally relented.

She led him to a secluded corner at the far end of the hallway. Lowering her voice, Evelyn began nervously, "Julian, let me explain..."

"Yeah, I'm all ears." Julian's jaw tightened. "Tell me everything about your relationship with Nathaniel, and whose child you're carrying."

Evelyn drew a shaky breath before confessing, "By now you must have guessed... the baby is Nathaniel's."

"What?" Julian's face darkened instantly. "That bastard forced himself on you? I swear to God, I'll make him pay for this!"

Seeing Julian's mounting rage, Evelyn quickly grabbed his arm. "Julian, please calm down!"

"Calm down? After what he did to you?" Julian's eyes burned with fury. His mind raced with violent scenarios of revenge against Nathaniel Whitmore.

Evelyn's pulse quickened at his reaction. "Just listen to me first!"

"There's nothing to explain! Evelyn, you should go home. Once I deal with Nathaniel, I'll take you back to Northridge myself. No one will ever hurt you again."

"Julian, it's not what you think!"

He turned to her with protective determination. "Evelyn, you don't have to be afraid anymore. Before, you were alone and vulnerable. But now you have six brothers who would burn the world for you."

"Andrew's a lawyer - he'll make sure Nathaniel rots in prison for what he's done."

Evelyn winced at his words. "Julian, I don't think the law applies here..."

"Sexual harassment is a crime, Evelyn! It doesn't matter if he's the CEO of Whitmore Enterprises or the damn president!"

Clearing her throat, Evelyn admitted quietly, "We're still legally married, Julian. The baby was conceived during our marriage. Technically... it wasn't harassment."

The revelation hit Julian like a physical blow. He staggered back against the wall, his face draining of color.

"Julian!" Evelyn rushed to steady him.

"I'm... I'm fine," he managed, though his voice shook. "Just trying to process this. You're telling me you're married to Nathaniel Whitmore?"

Evelyn nodded meekly.

"Why didn't you tell us something this important? Were you planning to hide this forever if I hadn't discovered your pregnancy?"

"It... it was an arranged marriage," Evelyn whispered. "I never wanted anyone to know about our relationship."

"Evelyn, we're your family!" Julian's voice cracked with emotion. "You should have come to us!"