Chapter 334

Beatrice's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Ms. Sinclair, as I told you before, Mrs. Whitmore's surgery was completed without complications."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Nathaniel's devotion to his grandmother is the only reason he tolerated Evelyn's presence all this time. Now that Eleanor's procedure is done, that gold-digger will be out on the street before she knows what hit her."

Victoria's face lit up with malicious glee as a thought struck her. "But what about the inheritance agreement?"

"Don't trouble yourself over that," Beatrice waved a dismissive hand. "Evelyn isn't pregnant. That document might as well be toilet paper."

After a moment's consideration, Victoria visibly relaxed, her shoulders losing their tension.

Meanwhile, Evelyn descended the hospital stairs to meet Julian, who waited by the exit. They walked to the parking lot in companionable silence.

Settling into the passenger seat, Evelyn clenched her fists in her lap. Victoria's vile accusations echoed in her mind, each word like a dagger twisting in her gut. Being called a stalker? The sheer audacity made her blood boil.

She'd always known Victoria lacked morals, but this new low still managed to shock her.

Julian navigated the evening traffic with careful precision, stealing frequent glances at his sister's stormy expression. His pulse quickened with worry - had Victoria somehow revealed their secret during their confrontation?

After several tense minutes, he cleared his throat. "Evelyn... what exactly did you and Victoria talk about back there?"

Evelyn's fingers twitched, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights. "Nothing important," she lied smoothly. "Just escorted her to see Eleanor outside ICU. Small talk, really."

There was no way she'd tell Julian about Victoria's harassment claims. Some humiliations were best kept private.

Julian exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. Whatever they'd discussed, it clearly hadn't involved their true relationship. His grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly.

"Julian," Evelyn's sudden question made him tense again, "how well do you know Victoria?"

His throat went dry. "We've crossed paths a few times at the hospital," he answered carefully. "Professional acquaintances, nothing more."

Evelyn nodded absently. It made sense - with Victoria's brother being a renowned surgeon, their paths would naturally intersect at the medical center.

"Why do you ask?" Julian's voice held a nervous edge.

Evelyn gave a humorless laugh. "Oh, just amusing myself with their ridiculous theories. Both Victoria and Nathaniel seem convinced there's something romantic between us."

Julian's palms grew clammy. "And... what did you tell them?"

If Evelyn had revealed their sibling bond, Victoria would have been crowing about it by now.

"I didn't bother correcting them." Evelyn's lips twisted in a bitter smile. "Let them believe what they want. Their opinions stopped mattering to me a long time ago."

Her tone carried such finality that Julian's chest ached. She was protecting him - protecting all of them - by maintaining their secret.

"Evelyn," he ventured cautiously, "why not just tell them the truth? That I'm your brother?"

The hurt in his voice made Evelyn turn to study his profile. She hadn't realized how much her silence weighed on him.

"There's no point," she said softly. "In a few months, I'll be leaving Bern City for Nord City anyway. Best to keep things simple."

Julian's knuckles whitened on the wheel. "Are you trying to protect yourself... or us?"

The realization hit him like a physical blow. All this time, they'd prided themselves on keeping their relationship hidden, when in truth, it was Evelyn who'd been shielding them.

His vision blurred unexpectedly. She'd shouldered this burden alone, never once complaining.

Evelyn reached over to squeeze his arm. "Honestly? I just prefer not to share my personal life with people who don't matter."

Julian swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion. As they stopped at a red light, he turned to face her fully.

"Evelyn," he began, voice thick, "there's something you need to know."