Chapter 166

Chapter 166
Evelyn POV


Six Months Later.

Six months into our marriage, life had settled into a comfortable rhythm that sometimes made me forget the turbulence that preceded it. The Sunday evening was peaceful as Ryan and I sat in the living room of Carter Estate, watching Oliver take wobbly steps between us, his chubby hands reaching out whenever his balance wavered.

At over one year old, his determination to master walking was adorable—each tumble followed by a determined push back up, his eyes seeking our approval.

"That's it, buddy," Ryan encouraged, arms outstretched. "Come to Dad."

The word "Dad" still brought a warmth to my chest. Ryan had been Oliver's father in all the ways that mattered since the day he was born. The adoption papers had been finalized three months ago, making official what our hearts had known all along.

When Ryan's phone rang, he caught Oliver mid-step before answering. His expression shifted as he listened, eyes meeting mine with a question in them.

"Yes, she's right here," he said, then mouthed "Winston" to me.

My former father-in-law. I hadn't spoken to him since the wedding, though he occasionally sent gifts for Oliver through Ethan.

Ryan listened for another moment before handing me the phone. "He wants to speak with you."

I took a deep breath and accepted the call. "Hello, Winston."

"Evelyn, my dear," his voice carried the same dignified tone I remembered. "I hope you and your family are well."

"We are, thank you."

"I've been thinking," he continued, "it's been too long since I've seen my grandson. I was hoping you might consider bringing Oliver to the estate for dinner this Friday. Bryce will be there as well."

My fingers tightened around the phone. Bryce. The name no longer triggered anxiety, but it did give me pause.

"I understand your hesitation," Winston said, reading my silence. "But I believe it would be good for Bryce to meet his son. And for Oliver to know where he comes from, even if just as a distant connection."

I watched Oliver as he climbed onto Ryan's lap, tiny fingers exploring his father's watch with fascination.

"Daniel and Sophia are welcome too, of course," Winston added. "But I'll respect whatever decision you make."

After we hung up, Ryan studied my face. "What did Winston want?"

"He's invited us to dinner at the Finch estate. Bryce will be there." I explained the rest of the conversation as Oliver crawled back toward me.

Ryan frowned slightly. "Are you comfortable with that? Going back to that house?"

I lifted Oliver into my arms, breathing in his sweet baby scent. "You know, a year ago I would have panicked at the thought. But now..." I shrugged. "It's just a house. And Bryce is just a person who made bad choices."

"You don't have to do this," Ryan said softly.

"I know." I smiled at him. "But Oliver should have the chance to know where he comes from. And I'm not afraid anymore."

---

Friday evening arrived quickly. Daniel and Sophia joined us for the drive, with Sophia fussing over Oliver's outfit, insisting he wear the tiny navy blazer that matched Ryan's.

"He looks like a miniature businessman," I said, adjusting Oliver's collar as he squirmed in his car seat.

"A Carter man always makes a good impression," Sophia replied with a wink.

As our car wound through the familiar roads leading to the Finch estate, I found myself staring out the window, memories washing over me.

"You okay?" Ryan asked quietly, his hand finding mine.

"Just remembering," I admitted. "How I used to dread going back there. How Bryce never stood up for me when Victoria criticized me."

Ryan's thumb traced circles on my palm. "We don't have to stay long."

I turned to him with a smile. "I'm not here to dwell on painful memories. I'm here for Oliver. And maybe for some closure."

The estate appeared ahead, its windows glowing warmly against the evening sky. As we pulled up the circular driveway, I saw Winston standing at the entrance, tall and distinguished as ever.

When we stepped out, Winston approached us with a genuine smile. "Thank you for coming," he said, embracing me briefly before turning to greet Daniel and Sophia.

His eyes lit up when they landed on Oliver. "So this is the young man I've heard so much about." He leaned closer, and Oliver regarded him with curious eyes. "He has your eyes, Evelyn."

The interior of the house felt different—warmer somehow. The stark modernism I remembered had been softened with more comfortable furnishings and warmer lighting. Oliver looked around with wide eyes, taking in the high ceilings and grand staircase.

"I've made some changes," Winston explained, noticing my surprise. "The place needed to feel more like a home." He led us toward the living room. "I've set up a play area for Oliver. I hope that's all right."

In the corner of the normally formal living room sat a colorful play mat with soft toys. It looked so out of place in the Finch mansion that I couldn't help but smile.

Ethan greeted us as we entered, immediately coming to embrace me. "You look amazing, Evelyn. Marriage clearly agrees with you."

And then I saw him—Bryce, standing by the fireplace, watching us with an unreadable expression. He looked thinner than I remembered, his normally impeccable appearance slightly more subdued. Our eyes met across the room, and I felt nothing but a strange sense of distance, as though looking at a photograph of someone I used to know.

Winston encouraged everyone to sit, skillfully guiding the conversation through safe topics—the weather, recent charity events, Oliver's developmental milestones. Sophia showed photos of Oliver's first attempts at crawling, and the tension in the room gradually eased.

"He's growing so fast," Ethan remarked. "He has your chin, Evelyn, but I see the Finch eyebrows."

I noticed Bryce's gaze repeatedly drawn to Oliver, who was contentedly playing with a stuffed giraffe in Daniel's arms. There was something in his expression—not exactly longing, but perhaps regret, or curiosity.

Taking a deep breath, I stood and walked to Daniel, lifting Oliver into my arms. Then, to everyone's surprise, I approached Bryce.

"He likes when you talk to him," I said simply. "He's starting to say a few words."

Bryce looked startled by my proximity. "He's... he looks healthy," he managed.

"Would you like to hold him?" I asked, the words surprising even me.

Bryce hesitated, then nodded, his hands slightly unsteady as he reached out. I carefully transferred Oliver to his arms, watching closely as my son studied this stranger's face with innocent curiosity.

Oliver reached up to touch Bryce's cheek, and something in Bryce's expression cracked open. For a moment, I glimpsed what might have been—if Bryce had been a different man, if he had chosen kindness over cruelty, he might have been a loving father.

The realization passed through me like a ghost—not painful, just wistful. Oliver patted Bryce's face with chubby fingers, babbling happily, unaware of the complex history between the adults around him.

Later, as we gathered for dinner, the conversation flowed more naturally. Winston had placed a high chair for Oliver next to my seat, and the meal centered around him—his likes and dislikes, his developing personality. Winston proposed a toast to Oliver's health and happiness, and everyone raised their glasses.

Before we left, Winston drew me aside to the terrace, where the evening air carried the scent of his prized roses.

"Thank you," he said simply. "For allowing this evening to happen."

"Oliver deserves to know his heritage," I replied. "All of it."

Winston nodded. "I'm glad to see you've found happiness, Evelyn. You deserve it." He paused. "And thank you for allowing Bryce to meet him. I believe it matters, even if he doesn't yet understand how much."

As we drove away, Oliver already asleep in his car seat, Ryan asked, "Any regrets about tonight?"

I watched the lights of the Finch estate recede in the distance. "No," I said softly. "Actually, I feel... lighter. Like I've finally put down something heavy I didn't realize I was still carrying."

"Seeing Bryce with Oliver... how was that for you?"

I considered the question. "I saw a glimpse of what might have been. A life that never happened." I turned to Ryan, reaching for his hand. "But then I look at you, at our life together, and I know this is exactly where I'm meant to be."

As the estate disappeared from view, I felt the last shadows of my past finally fade away. Ahead lay only the road home, to the life and love I had chosen.