Chapter 22 The Grandfather's “Gift”
The next morning, Evelyn woke to an empty bed again. After dressing, she made her way downstairs for breakfast, only to freeze halfway down the grand staircase.
Alexander Sinclair sat in the living room, deep in conversation with Roman.
Sensing her stare, Roman looked up and their eyes met. Evelyn gave an awkward little wave and continued down.
"Ah, my daughter-in-law!" Alexander boomed, his stern face breaking into a delighted smile. "Look at you, glowing like sunshine! Pregnancy suits you beautifully."
"Good morning, Grandfather," Evelyn said, her cheeks warming. She shot Roman a look. "You didn't wake me."
Roman shrugged, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "He specifically told me not to. Said expectant mothers need their rest."
"Exactly!" Alexander patted her hand. "No stress for you. Only peace and pampering."
Evelyn laughed nervously. "You're too kind."
"Nonsense! I brought gifts for you and my future grandchild." He gestured to an impressive pile of elegant boxes.
"You really shouldn't have—"
"Ah!" The old man wagged a finger. "I won't have you refusing my gifts. It wounds an old man's heart."
From behind his financial reports, Roman spoke without looking up. "Just take them. Milk him for everything he's worth. He's loaded."
Alexander laughed heartily. "For once, we agree on something!"
Evelyn watched their banter, fascinated. Their relationship was less father-son and more like a comedy duo—Alexander constantly poking, Roman deftly deflecting with dry humor.
Alexander's expression grew serious. "Now, Evelyn, dear. Morning sickness can be brutal with first pregnancies. How have you been feeling? We must be extra cautious."
Evelyn's smile felt strained. "Oh, I've been... fine. Really quite manageable—"
"Breakfast is served," the housekeeper announced, saving her from further interrogation.
As they moved to the dining room, Alexander kept glancing toward the entrance as if expecting someone. Evelyn reached for a buttery croissant, but Alexander stopped her hand mid-air.
"Wait, my dear!"
Confused, Evelyn lowered the pastry. Before she could ask why, three women entered the dining room in crisp uniforms. Alexander stood, beaming.
"Perfect timing! Evelyn, meet Mrs. Hartwell," he said, indicating a stern woman in professional attire. "Your personal nutritionist and care coordinator. She'll be living here to oversee your diet and routine."
He gestured to the second woman in soft scrubs. "This is Sarah, a certified midwife. She'll visit twice weekly to monitor your progress." The third woman, carrying a massage kit, smiled warmly. "And this is Elena, a prenatal therapist for any aches and pains."
Alexander looked triumphant. "Mrs. Hartwell will be moving into the guest suite immediately. Now," he turned to the stern woman, "please prepare a proper breakfast for my daughter-in-law. What we have here won't do for an expecting mother."
"Of course, sir." Mrs. Hartwell nodded and marched toward the kitchen.
Alexander dismissed the other women and sat back down, thoroughly pleased. "Just wait a moment, Evelyn. She'll make you something appropriate. Only the best for you and my grandchild."
Evelyn looked helplessly at Roman, panic written all over her face. Their eyes met, and she saw her own alarm reflected in his tense gaze.
Roman rubbed his temples. "Father, a heads-up about bringing an army of strangers into our home would have been nice."
"They're not strangers," Alexander retorted. "They're essential to our family's future. You should be thanking me."
Roman muttered under his breath, "Thanking you. Right."
Evelyn picked at her napkin, stomach churning. A live-in supervisor. A midwife conducting weekly exams. Their carefully constructed lie now had a professional audience.
Throughout breakfast, Alexander peppered her with questions. "Have you had an ultrasound yet? How often are you seeing your doctor? How many weeks along are you exactly?"
Evelyn nearly choked on her specially prepared meal.
Roman immediately intervened. "Father, you're overwhelming her. Can we save the interrogation?"
Alexander huffed. "Why do you always shut me out? Stubborn boy." He turned back to Evelyn, expression softening. "Don't mind this old man, dear. I'm just... incredibly excited."
Evelyn smiled weakly. “It’s alright, Father.”
Once upon a time, she used to call him grandfather, but now she's married to his son instead of his grandson. She thought silently, bowing her head to eat her food in melancholy. Although Roman treats her well, she couldn't help thinking… about the good days she shared with Nathan. The turnaround of everything still felt like a dream to her.
Alexander sighed, noticing her mood, he still felt the need to address this situation personally with her, afterall she was a victim of both his son and grandson. “Evelyn girl, I know it's a lot to take in right now. What that disgraceful punk did to you… I don’t know how he turned out that way. But don’t you worry. Just focus on yourself and the baby. My son here,” he said, jerking a thumb toward Roman, “is a better man. He’ll treat you right. And if he doesn’t, you tell me. I’ll have him punished. Hmm?” He said with a warm smile.
Roman, who was sipping his tea, set his cup down with a sharp clink. “Yeah,” he said dryly. “You should listen to him on that.”
Evelyn’s lips twitched just listening to them. The old man was unbelievably biased. He hadn’t even scolded Roman once for supposedly taking advantage of her and “getting her pregnant”—instead, he praised him while ruthlessly burying Nathan.
–
After Alexander finally left, Evelyn knew they needed to talk immediately. Seeing Roman preparing to leave for the office, she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the stairs.
Roman looked down at their intertwined fingers with a slight smirk and allowed himself to be dragged along.
Once in their bedroom, Evelyn shut the door firmly and turned to face him.
"What," Roman asked in a teasing manner as he began loosening his tie, "did you bring me here to seduce me?"
"Will you be serious!" she hissed, lunging forward to stop his hands. "We have a crisis!"
He caught her wrists, his gaze darkening. "What's more urgent than spending time with my beautiful wife?" He leaned in to kiss her neck.
Evelyn pushed him away, frustrated. "I'm being serious!"
Roman straightened his jacket, checking his watch with mild irritation. "I'm already late for work."
"Oh, NOW you have work obligations?" she shot back. "We have a much bigger problem! How are we supposed to maintain this charade with a live-in supervisor and weekly medical examinations?"