Chapter 67 Crosswinds
Evelyn barely understood what was happening.
One moment, they were in the villa arguing. The next, everything was moving too fast.
Voices, urgent footsteps, and Leo speaking rapidly.
Roman was already giving orders.
Within an hour, arrangements were made. The private jet was prepared, they left with their luggage abandoned.
“The old master is in critical condition.”
The words kept echoing in her mind.
Roman didn’t hesitate. Not even for a second.
For the first time since she’d known him, he looked… shaken. Not visibly frantic. But the calmness he always wore around him, cracked.
He moved hurriedly, his jaw clenched, and his breathing slightly uneven.
It was subtle. But Evelyn saw it. She saw the panic he was trying to bury
–
On the plane, silence swallowed them.
Roman sat beside her, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped tightly together. His head was slightly lowered.
He hadn’t spoken much.
Evelyn watched him quietly. She understood.
Roman never knew his mother. Never received that kind of warmth. He also never had siblings who stood beside him.
Alexander Sinclair had been everything — father, mother, shield.
While his siblings resented Roman, while they ostracized him, Alexander always stood firmly behind him.
Roman was the most capable Sinclair. The wealthiest. The most feared. And somehow, that made him the loneliest. His siblings never celebrated him.
Except for his father. And now, that pillar was shaking.
Evelyn slowly reached for his hand. She laced her fingers with his. And silently prayed.
‘Please… let him be okay.’
He had been kind to her too. He had accepted and protected her. Guided her gently into this terrifying family. She couldn’t imagine anything happening to him.
Roman felt her hand tighten.
Even in his tension, he squeezed back. He turned slightly and gave her a faint smile.
“It’s okay.”
She didn’t know if he was comforting her. Or himself.
—
Halfway through the flight, the plane jolted violently—a sudden drop, and a sharp shake.
Evelyn gasped as turbulence hit hard.
The aircraft trembled mid-air, dipping unexpectedly before stabilizing slightly — only to shake again.
Her fingers dug into Roman’s arm.
Even Roman looked up sharply.
The turbulence worsened. The plane felt like it was being tossed in a storm.
For a moment, fear gripped her chest so tightly she couldn’t breathe.
Laurent’s voice came calmly through the cabin speaker, steady despite the chaos.
“Please remain seated. We’re navigating through heavy turbulence.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
‘This can’t be happening.’
‘Not now.’
‘Not like this.’
There was another sharp drop. Her stomach flipped violently.
Roman pulled her closer instinctively, shielding her body with his.
“It’s fine,” he said firmly. But his hand was tense.
With Laurent’s experience and Leo assisting, the jet slowly stabilized.
The shaking lessened.
Then finally, they were back to smooth air again.
Evelyn exhaled shakily. Her body was trembling.
She didn’t realize she was crying until Roman brushed his thumb against her cheek.
—
When they finally landed in Trevinia, Evelyn nearly collapsed.
Her twisted ankle throbbed mercilessly, worsened by the turbulence and tension.
Roman lifted her without hesitation.
The airport staff moved quickly, clearing a path.
James was already waiting beside the car.
He bowed slightly. “It’s good to see you again, Madame.”
But Evelyn barely registered his words. She was placed carefully into the back seat.
Roman shut the door.
Then he turned away, and started walking off.
“Wait— where are you going?!”
Evelyn called out, panic rising instantly.
Roman stopped. He walked back quickly and leaned toward the open window.
The wind rushed around them, rustling their hair.
He pressed a firm kiss to her lips.
“Wait for me at home,” he murmured softly. “I’ll be back.”
Her brows knitted together. She grabbed his hand before he could pull away.
“I want to go with you,” she said, voice trembling. “I want to see how he is.”
Roman’s expression softened.
“I know.”
His thumb brushed her cheek gently.
“But you’re exhausted. And your ankle is bruised.”
“Roman—”
He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“Wait for me. Be a good girl, hmm?”
Before she could argue further, he slipped his hand from hers and ran toward another vehicle waiting at the side.
The wind swallowed him quickly.
Evelyn felt her chest tighten.
Something doesn’t feel right. He looked too calm, and that scared her more.
She turned slowly to James. Her eyes were watery now.
“James…”
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
“Please. Take me to where the old master is. Where Roman is going.”
James was silent for a long moment. Then he started the engine.
“I’m sorry, Madame,” he said quietly. “I have to follow the young master’s orders.”
The car began moving. Driving away from Roman.
Evelyn’s chest tightened painfully.
The uneasy feeling returned—stronger, and heavier. Like a storm building inside her.
Suddenly, a sharp, dull pain twisted in her lower abdomen.
She froze.
A faint discomfort had been sitting low in her abdomen since the flight.
Her hand instinctively clutched her stomach.
Another wave hit her. Sharper this time.
Her breathing became shallow.
“Please…” she whispered under her breath.
“Please, Lord…”
She wasn’t religious. She never prayed like this. But right now, she needed something. Someone. Anything.
The pain pulsed again, coiling low in her abdomen, mixing with fear and dread.
Her fingers trembled against her stomach.
She closed her eyes, pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the window.
“Please…”
—-
Evelyn didn't remember the drive back to Rosewood Manor.
One moment she was in the car, pressing her forehead against the cold glass, praying silently. The next, James was opening the door and telling her they were home.
She blinked when she saw the familiar gates, the long driveway, and the massive house looming ahead.
James helped her out carefully, mindful of her ankle. She leaned on him more than she wanted to, each step sending a dull throb up her leg.
They had just stepped into the house when something caught her attention.
The television was on.
Mrs. Chen must have forgotten to switch it off before heading to the kitchen.
Evelyn barely glanced at it, then froze.
Her heart skipped.
‘No.’
She blinked.
Maybe she was hallucinating. She took a step forward.
James stiffened slightly.
“Madame—please be careful—”
But Evelyn was already moving faster than she should have. He had no choice but to steady her lightly by the arm, careful—very careful not to touch anywhere inappropriate. He valued his life.
She didn’t even notice him.
Her eyes were locked on the screen.
The headline read:
“Wells Group Founder Collapses After Daughter’s Sudden Marriage.”
Her breath hitched.
The news anchor began speaking.
“Just hours after the young lady of the Wells family, Lena Wells, registered a sudden court marriage with a grandson of the Adler family, Rhys Adler, shocking news followed.
The founding CEO of Wells Group, Mr. William Wells, collapsed and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.”
The camera cut to hospital footage.
Flashing lights, and reporters crowding outside.
Evelyn’s fingers trembled.
Another anchor leaned forward slightly. “Do you think the marriage was too sudden? Could it have been forced? Was it too much for Mr. Wells to accept?”
The co-anchor shook his head thoughtfully. “The two have reportedly been seen dining together several times in the past months. It may be sudden, but it doesn’t appear forced.”
“Then what happened?”
The discussion continued.
But Evelyn couldn’t hear anything anymore.
A loud ringing filled her ears.
“Lena?”
Her Lena.
The stubborn, strong-headed Lena who once swore she’d never get on with anybody after her past relationship.
There was no way.
No way she would just suddenly register a court marriage without telling her.
“Uncle William adored Lena. He would never push her into something she didn’t want.”
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Her knees buckled slightly.
“Madame!” James reacted quickly, catching her before she fell completely.