Chapter 460

Evelyn's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Nathaniel.

Could he really be this oblivious to her efforts? She remembered how he used to resent Eleanor's attempts to force them together.

Yet now that Nathaniel had agreed, Evelyn found herself reluctantly going along with it.

She rose gracefully from her chair. "Grandmother, I'll visit again soon."

"Of course, dear. Don't forget to send me photos of your selections." Eleanor's eyes twinkled. "If only these old legs would cooperate, I'd love to join you myself."

Nathaniel surprised them both by adding, "There will be plenty of opportunities once you've recovered, Grandmother."

Evelyn shot him a questioning glance, confusion flickering in her hazel eyes.

This made no sense. Nathaniel believed the twins weren't his. Why would he say something so misleading?

They walked down the hospital corridor in tense silence until Evelyn couldn't take it anymore.

"You shouldn't mention the babies to Eleanor," she said quietly. "The truth would devastate her."

With her planned departure from Bern City approaching, Evelyn worried about Eleanor's fragile health.

Nathaniel's expression turned serious. "Then we simply won't tell her."

Evelyn stopped mid-step. "What do you mean? She'll find out eventually."

"As long as we keep our secret, those twins will be considered Whitmore heirs." His voice held an odd certainty.

Evelyn's mind reeled. Was Nathaniel really willing to claim another man's children to protect Eleanor?

But deception wasn't the answer.

"Mr. Whitmore," she began carefully, "with Eleanor recovering, perhaps we should finalize our divorce."

Nathaniel's entire body tensed at the word. "No. Not until she's fully healed."

Evelyn's grip tightened on his arm. "I can't wait that long. Neither can these babies."

He looked down, his stormy gray eyes locking with hers. "Then have them. Am I not capable of raising two children?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Evelyn's voice rose slightly. "They're not yours! Why would you—"

She couldn't comprehend his sudden change. The Nathaniel she knew would never tolerate such a situation.

What he didn't know was her entire pregnancy story had been a lie to hasten their divorce.

Yet here he stood, offering to raise another man's children.

As Evelyn's fingers dug into his sleeve, Nathaniel's expression shifted before he regained composure.

"Children don't particularly interest me," he said evenly. "But if you remain a Whitmore, I'll acknowledge them as my heirs."

Evelyn was speechless. This wasn't part of her plan.

Her hand instinctively moved to her rounded belly. "And what if... what if they were yours?"

The question hung between them like an unspoken challenge.