Chapter 80
After Sloane's emotions settled and she fell into a deep sleep, Matthew finally left the hospital.
By the time he returned to the apartment, it was late at night.
Matthew didn't turn on the lights. He quietly washed up and entered the bedroom.
Evelyn was already asleep.
Matthew gently lay down.
As soon as he settled in, Evelyn stirred and groggily opened her eyes.
"You're back?" Her voice carried the hoarseness of sleep.
"Yes," Matthew responded, reaching out to pull her close. "Had a lot of work stuff today. Did I wake you?"
Evelyn shook her head and nuzzled into his embrace, her voice fuzzy. "You worked hard... go to sleep."
With that, she drifted back into deep sleep.
Matthew looked down at her.
In the moonlight, her face was serene and soft. She slept peacefully, curled up completely in his arms.
Complex emotions stirred in his heart.
The matter with Sloane was like a thorn stuck there.
He wanted to tell Evelyn, but feared she'd overthink it. He wanted to hide it, but felt he was wronging her.
But seeing her sleep so soundly, he couldn't bear to shatter this moment of peace.
He'd tell her once Sloane recovered, he told himself.
He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
The Quinn Estate.
Marigold lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Her mind was filled with the scene she'd witnessed this afternoon.
She'd had an investigator look into Evelyn's past. If she remembered correctly, that man was... Evelyn's college senior.
But that wasn't important. What mattered were the words from his mouth.
"Abort the baby," "what happens to illegitimate children in the Perkins family"...
Most importantly, Evelyn hadn't denied it.
Was Evelyn pregnant with Matthew's child?
A thread of jealous resentment crept into Marigold's eyes.
She couldn't let Evelyn give birth to this child.
Or rather, she couldn't let Matthew know it was his child.
After much deliberation, she picked up her phone and called Eric.
Eric's voice came through, showing no irritation at being disturbed late at night. "Miss Quinn, it's so late. What's happened?"
Marigold lowered her voice. "Evelyn is pregnant. It's Matthew's child."
"Find a way to frame her," Marigold said. "Can't let Matthew know it's his child."
"Best to pin it on someone else, drive a wedge between them. Can you do it?"
The other end of the line was quiet for a moment.
"I can," Eric said.
Marigold hung up, her brow relaxing slightly.
Eric put down his phone, his eyes darkening.
He didn't think Marigold's request was excessive. Whatever she wanted, he would help her obtain.
The next morning.
When Evelyn woke, Matthew was still asleep.
She smiled and quietly got up to make breakfast in the kitchen.
Simple soft-boiled eggs with vegetables and smoked meat, two slices of toast toasted just right.
She warmed two glasses of milk and set them on the table.
When Matthew woke, this was the scene he saw.
Evelyn sat at the dining table, eating while watching TV.
Hearing movement, she looked up and smiled at him. "You're awake? Come eat, it's still warm."
Warmth flooded Matthew's heart.
He walked over and sat down, picking up a sandwich and taking a bite. The taste was just right, exactly the texture he liked.
After finishing breakfast, Matthew hesitated before speaking. "I might be quite busy these next few days. Take good care of yourself."
Evelyn nodded. "I'm a grown adult. What do I need looking after for? Go ahead and do what you need to."
Having stayed by Matthew's side before, she knew he had these busy periods every year.
During these times, not adding to his troubles was the best way to help.
Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to stand, Evelyn suddenly spoke. "Are you... free tonight?"
He paused. "Should be. Why?"
"Come home early tonight," Evelyn said, her eyes bright. "I have something I want to tell you."
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
Evelyn had something to tell him? What could it be that he didn't know?
He suddenly remembered something, and the corners of his mouth curved upward involuntarily.
Could it be... she'd decided when she wanted to marry him?
"Alright," he said, his mood suddenly lifting.
Evelyn remembered she and Monica had plans to decorate today. Seeing it was almost time for her arrival, she urged Matthew. "Go on and get busy, you'll be late soon."
Matthew was pushed toward the door by her, somewhat amused. "Why are you rushing me now?"
The door closed. He stood outside, still unable to stop smiling.
Matthew had barely left when Monica arrived.
Today's delivery services were incredibly fast—things ordered yesterday were all delivered first thing this morning.
Monica directed the delivery people to carry boxes of all sizes inside, then rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
"Give me the balloons!" she shouted while standing on a chair.
Evelyn handed up the inflated balloons. Pink ones, blue ones, a whole big bundle.
Monica took them and stuck them to the ceiling.
The two worked busily for half the day before finally getting everything set up.
Balloons filled the ceiling, a banner hung in the most prominent spot, and the entire living room was filled with a dreamy pink and blue atmosphere.
Evelyn collapsed exhausted on the sofa, panting.
Monica flopped down beside her. The two looked at each other and smiled.
"So satisfying!" Monica exclaimed.
Evelyn smiled, then suddenly remembered something.
She got up and went to the study, pulling a small envelope from her bag.
Inside was the twins' report she'd received during her prenatal checkup in Seaside City.
She quietly placed the envelope in the drawer.
Thinking of Matthew's expression when he saw it tonight, she couldn't help curving her lips.
That big iceberg might will have the most emotional fluctuations he'd had in years today.
"Oh my god, I can't wait for tonight!" Monica shouted from the living room. "Too bad I can't be a third wheel."
"Eve, you absolutely have to record it and send it to me!"
Evelyn agreed with a laugh.
After Monica left, Evelyn stood in the center of the living room, looking around, happily spinning in a circle.
She calculated when Matthew would get off work and began preparing dinner.
Evelyn made a whole table of his favorite dishes, set out the utensils, and sat at the table waiting eagerly.
Just then, her phone rang. It was a message from Matthew.
[Eve, I have an emergency to handle. Might not be home for dinner. Eat first and rest early.]
Evelyn looked at the message, a thread of unease rising in her heart.
But she told herself to give him enough trust. He was busy—she knew that.
This surprise would just have to wait until he came home.
Matthew had been called away by Elysia's phone call.
When he rushed to the hospital, Sloane was being resuscitated in the emergency room.
The doctor said she'd slit her wrist when the nurse wasn't paying attention. Fortunately, it was discovered in time—no danger to her life.
The door opened and Sloane was wheeled out.
Her face was pale as paper, her wrist wrapped in thick bandages, eyes tightly closed, still unconscious.
Elysia rushed forward to check on her, then turned and glared at Matthew.
"Why did you tell her you had someone you cared about?"