Chapter 68 Fine Print
Evelyn gripped James' sleeve.
“My… my phone…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “It’s in my bag…”
James immediately realized they had left her purse in the car.
“I’ll get it right away.” He hurried out.
Evelyn lowered herself slowly into a nearby chair, her eyes still glued to the television.
She felt like she was watching someone else’s life fall apart.
The news shifted.
“And in related developments among Trevinia’s top families—”
“The Sinclair family appears to be undergoing significant internal changes. Sources suggest that the young master of the Sinclair family has quietly taken a sabbatical and left Trevinia.”
Her heartbeat stuttered.
“The sudden disappearance comes just as his elder brother has reportedly returned to take over the position of acting heir.”
The co-anchor added with a faint smile, “There were reports of him vacationing abroad with his wife.”
The other anchor chuckled lightly. “That could simply be a public facade. These wealthy families often restructure behind closed doors.”
Each word struck like a hammer.
Evelyn felt the blood drain from her face.
‘Sabbatical?’
‘Roman was placed on sabbatical?
He never told me.’
‘He—’
Her eyes widened as pieces clicked into place. The sudden trip. The way he'd been so free with his time. The way he never seemed in a hurry to go back, and brushed off questions about work.
Her lips parted slowly.
“Roman…”
A sharp pain suddenly twisted in her lower abdomen.
She gasped.
It wasn’t just her ankle this time. It was deeper. A tight, curling ache.
She clutched her stomach instinctively.
Another strong wave hit.
“Ah—”
Her breath turned uneven.
Right then, Mrs. Chen rushed out from the kitchen.
“Young madame!”
She hurried over immediately and turned off the television.
James rushed back in at the same time, bag in hand. He stopped short when he saw her pale face.
“Madame?”
Evelyn was shaking now. Her fingers dug into her abdomen.
The uneasiness that had been sitting in her chest since the airport now spread through her entire body like cold water.
Something terrible was coming.
“Call… call Roman…” she whispered weakly.
James immediately pulled out his phone. But just as he was about to dial, Evelyn grabbed his sleeve again.
“No…” she gritted out, her voice shaking. “Don’t.”
James froze. “Madame?”
She squeezed her eyes shut as another wave of pain tore through her abdomen.
“He’s already dealing with enough… don’t stress him more,” she said through clenched teeth. “He must have had a reason… for not letting me go with him.”
Mrs. Chen looked torn. “Young madame, are you sure? Your condition right now—”
“It’s just a cramp,” Evelyn forced out, though her breathing was uneven. “Please… just get me warm water. And a hot water bottle.”
Mrs. Chen hesitated, then nodded quickly. “Right away.”
James stood stiffly beside her.
“My phone,” Evelyn said again, extending her trembling hand.
He paused for half a second… then handed it over.
The moment it was in her grip, she dialed Lena.
The first call rang out. No answer.
Her heart pounded harder. She called again.
This time, the line connected. A male voice answered first. “Hello?”
Evelyn didn’t bother asking who it was. “Put Lena on.”
There was a brief pause. Then Lena’s voice came through, slightly breathless. “Eve?”
“I saw the news,” Evelyn said immediately. “Where are you?”
Silence.
Then Lena gave her the name of the hospital. “Trevinia Central Medical Center. VIP wing.”
“I’m coming.”
"Eve, listen, I'm so sorry I didn't—"
Evelyn ended the call. She couldn't do apologies right now.
Mrs. Chen returned with a steaming mug and a hot water bottle wrapped in soft cloth. Evelyn drank the water slowly, letting the warmth settle in her stomach, then pressed the bottle against her abdomen.
It didn’t stop the pain. But it was something.
She turned to James. “Take me to Trevinia Central. Now.”
James stiffened at the hospital name. For a long second, he hesitated. Then he nodded. “Yes, madame.”
—
The ride felt endless. Each bump in the road made the ache in her stomach flare.
The unease in her chest grew heavier.
By the time they arrived, her face was pale.
James supported her carefully out of the car, mindful of her injured ankle.
She dialed Lena again as they entered.
Lena stood near the entrance of the VIP wing, still in her wedding-day makeup, though slightly smudged.
She looked composed from afar, but up close, her eyes were red.
“Eve!”
She rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
“I missed you,” Lena whispered.
Evelyn wanted to scold her, and demand an explanation. But then she felt a tear soaking into the fabric at her shoulder.
She hugged her back.
They stood there like that for a while, drawing curious glances from passersby. But in the hospital, grief was normal. No one lingered long.
When they finally pulled apart, Evelyn croaked, “Why didn’t you tell me anything?”
Lena sniffled. “It’s not what you think. It’s… complicated.”
“Well, uncomplicate it,” Evelyn muttered.
Lena let out a weak laugh. “You’re becoming more overbearing.”
Then she paused and looked her up and down.
“Oh my God. You look gorgeous. Why are you glowing like that? And when did you get this curvy?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Well, duh.”
They both laughed softly. The tension eased slightly.
“So,” Evelyn said, “you’re married now?”
Lena sighed. “Let’s call it… a strategic alliance.”
“Romance?” Evelyn raised a brow.
“Let's just say... game of attraction.” Lena corrected lightly.
Seeing her joke about it, Evelyn felt slightly relieved.
"Okay," Evelyn said. "Sit. Tell me."
She took a step toward a nearby bench and winced as her ankle protested.
Lena's eyes dropped. "You're injured?"
"Bruised ankle. It's fine.”
Lena immediately moved to support her, and they made their way to the bench together.
Evelyn sat carefully. Her cramp was still there, but she managed.
"Talk.”
Lena sat, and waved the hovering James off slightly.
She took a long breath.
“So. The marriage.” She paused, gathering words. "My dad's been pushing me to go on dates with Rhys Adler for sometime now. I finally agreed to one. It went... badly. We didn't exactly part on good terms. But then he asked me out again. Said I was “entertaining.’”
She made air quotes. “So I went. On the condition that he pay me for my ‘entertainment services.’”
Evelyn blinked. "He paid you to date him?"
"He paid me to be myself. Apparently I'm worth every penny." A ghost of her usual smirk flickered. "We went on several dates like that. It was... fun, actually. Strange, but fun."
She looked down at her hands.
“Then Dad's heart condition got worse. Way worse. I tried to get him to the hospital, but he kept refusing. Kept saying he'd only go if I was settled. If I was married to Rhys. Because he believes Rhys will protect me. From the family. From everyone.”
Evelyn's chest tightened. "The Wells family."
Lena nodded. "You know how they are. Bloodsuckers. After Dad left because of what happened with my mom, they still want to rip him off. Always have. And now that he's..." Her voice wobbled. "Now that he's sick, they're circling like vultures."
“So you agreed to the marriage.”
“I didn't have a choice. He wasn't taking his medication.” Lena's voice broke. "So I called Rhys, and signed an agreement with him.”
Evelyn reached out and took her friend's hand.
“He collapsed within hours.” Lena said, tears spilling over again.
Evelyn pulled her into another hug. “I’m so sorry…I thought—I thought he was stable now—”
“I thought he was stable too,” Lena's voice was muffled against her shoulder. “I really did.”
They stayed like that for a while.
Finally Evelyn pulled back. "Let's go see him.”
“We can’t go inside. He’s in the ICU,” Lena explained gently as they stood up. “He’s stable for now. But under observation. We can only view from outside.”
They walked toward the elevator.
James followed at a respectful distance.
Halfway down the VIP floor corridor,
Evelyn felt a sharp twist in her lower abdomen again. Stronger this time.
She sucked in a breath.
“Are you okay?” Lena asked immediately.