Chapter 32

Why was the investigation inconclusive again?

Evelyn Carter let out a small sigh of relief when she learned she had advanced to the finals. Without wasting a moment, she threw herself into perfecting her designs for the final round. This time, she had to win first place.

Just as she was putting the finishing touches on her work, her phone buzzed. The caller ID showed the hospital.

"Ms. Evelyn Carter?" a polite voice asked. "It's time for your prenatal checkup."

Evelyn froze.

Her hand instinctively drifted to her stomach. In the whirlwind of the competition, she had nearly forgotten about the life growing inside her.

She hadn’t told Margaret Dawson—she knew her adoptive aunt would never approve of her keeping the baby. Resolute, Evelyn decided to go to the appointment alone.

As she stepped out of her room, she spotted Daniel Montgomery standing on the balcony, phone pressed to his ear. The moment he saw her, he ended the call abruptly.

"Where are you headed, Evelyn?" he asked, stepping closer. "I’ll come with you."

Evelyn shook her head. "Don’t you have that promotional event for your show?"

Daniel waved a dismissive hand. "It’s nothing major. Just filling in for the lead actor who couldn’t make it. I’m barely in it anyway."

Evelyn hesitated. "I’m just meeting a friend. You should go. I don’t need a babysitter."

Over the past few days, her brothers and cousins had taken turns keeping her company while she worked on her designs. Though she appreciated their concern, she couldn’t ignore the fact that their lives were in Nord City. She had already urged them to return—only Daniel had stubbornly stayed behind.

He ruffled her hair affectionately. "Fine. I’ll be at Centura Mall if you need me."

Deep down, Daniel wanted nothing more than to spend every moment with her, but Olivia Montgomery had warned him not to be too overbearing.

"Got it. See you later," Evelyn said before slipping out.

The cab ride to the hospital was quiet.

During the checkup, the doctor smiled reassuringly. "Everything looks perfect. The baby is healthy. Just keep taking your folic acid and vitamins."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Doctor."

Clutching the prescription and her pregnancy report, she stepped out of the examination room—only to freeze at the sight of a familiar figure.

Beatrice Harrington.

Evelyn’s pulse spiked. She quickly tucked the report behind her back.

Of all the places to run into Nathaniel’s mother, why here? Women like Beatrice usually frequented private hospitals.

She should’ve checked her horoscope this morning.

Beatrice’s sharp eyes narrowed as she approached. "Evelyn? What are you doing in the gynecology department?" A smirk curled her lips. "Are you pregnant?"

Evelyn forced a laugh. "No, just a hormonal imbalance. Routine checkup."

There was no way she would let Beatrice find out. If she did, Nathaniel would never let her go—and worse, he wouldn’t want this child. Beatrice only saw Victoria Sinclair as her future daughter-in-law.

This baby was hers alone to protect.

She straightened her spine and lied smoothly, "Besides, your son can’t get anyone pregnant. Why do you think I never conceived in three years of marriage?"

She leaned in, lowering her voice mockingly. "I covered for him before, but now that we’re divorcing? Let’s just say Nathaniel has… performance issues."

Beatrice’s face darkened. "You expect me to believe that? Show me what you’re hiding!"

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the report.

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

She couldn’t let Beatrice see it.