Chapter 147 A Letter from Grizelle

Chapter 147 A Letter from Grizelle
Evan stood frozen in the dimly lit living room, still gripping the phone receiver tightly. The name “Grizelle,” spoken by the woman on the other end of the line, made his heart pound harder. He rarely heard his biological mother’s name mentioned, let alone in connection with a will that involved Alice.

“My name is Sofia, Young Master. I am Mrs. Grizelle’s personal attorney, entrusted with safeguarding this mandate for more than twenty years,” the voice replied in a professional tone. “Mrs. Grizelle knew Alice since Alice was very young. She left a letter that must be handed to you precisely when Alice is carrying a Nathaniel heir.”

Evan fell silent for a moment. He glanced toward the staircase, making sure Alice was not coming downstairs. “Send the documents tomorrow morning. I don’t want any disturbance tonight.”

“I am already standing in front of your estate gate, Young Master. This is not a document that can be delivered by an ordinary courier.”

Ten minutes later, Evan sat in his private study. Across from him was a middle-aged woman in a neat suit, placing an intricately carved teakwood box on the desk. Rico stood alert near the door, while the rest of the house remained quiet.

“Open it,” Evan said curtly.

Sofia opened the box and took out a thick ivory-colored envelope that looked remarkably well preserved. Written on the front were the words: For Evan and Alice.

“Mrs. Grizelle and Alice’s mother, Diana Smith, were very close friends in the past,” Sofia explained as she handed over the envelope. “This will is not about wealth, but about acknowledgment.”

Evan opened the envelope. Inside was an old photograph, slightly yellowed with age. It showed two young women laughing in a park. One of them was Grizelle, with her distinctive blonde hair, and the other was Diana Smith. Between them were two small children playing on the grass, a sulky little boy and a little girl holding a doll.

“That’s… me and Alice?” Evan whispered, his eyes fixed on the photo.

“Yes. Mrs. Grizelle arranged an unofficial match between the two of you since you were toddlers. She wanted the Nathaniel and Smith families to be united by love, not merely by business,” Sofia added.

Evan began to read the letter. His mother’s handwriting was neat and elegant.

Evan, my beloved son…

If you are reading this, then fate has led you back to Alice. I always knew you were pieces meant to complete one another. Through this will, I entrust Alice to you. I have prepared a perpetual fund in the name of Alice Smith, which may only be accessed when she becomes your wife. This is not for your business, but to guarantee Alice’s happiness for the rest of her life.

Curious because Evan had been downstairs for so long, Alice slowly descended the stairs. She noticed the study door slightly ajar, with light spilling out. She stepped inside carefully.

“Evan? What’s going on? Who is visiting so late?” Alice asked softly.

Evan looked up, then quickly stood and guided his wife to sit on the chair facing Sofia.

“Alice, this is Sofia. She brought something from my mother, Grizelle,” Evan said.

“Grizelle? Your biological mother?” Alice looked at Sofia in confusion.

Evan handed the old photograph to Alice. She took it, and her eyes widened instantly. “This… this is me? And this is you, Evan? How could we be in the same photo?”

“My mother and your mother were very close friends, Alice,” Evan replied. “They knew each other long before all the chaos with Edwin and the Black Rose organization began. My mother left this will for us.”

Alice read the letter slowly. Tears began to gather in the corners of her eyes. “So our meeting… our marriage… it wasn’t just coincidence or one of Papa Zavian’s business arrangements?”

“It seems not,” Evan said with a faint smile as he wiped the tears from Alice’s cheeks. “My mother loved you since you were little. She wanted you to be part of this family even before I realized it myself.”

Sofia took out additional documents from the box. “Aside from the perpetual fund, Mrs. Grizelle also left a country retreat in rural England. It is a place where the two of you often played as children. All property deeds are now under the name Alice Smith.”

Alice shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t remember any of this. My memories of early childhood before the accident are very vague.”

“That’s understandable, Madam. You were only three years old at the time,” Sofia replied. “Mrs. Grizelle deliberately kept this secret so you could find each other naturally, without the pressure of a will.”

“Does Papa Zavian know about this?” Evan asked Sofia.

“Mr. Zavian knows about their friendship, but he does not know about the perpetual fund or this property. Mrs. Grizelle wanted this to remain a secret between herself, Diana, and the two of you,” Sofia answered.

After finishing the administrative matters and signing the documents, Sofia excused herself. The study fell silent again, leaving Evan and Alice staring at the photograph of their childhood selves.

“Look at your face here,” Alice laughed softly, pointing at little Evan in the picture. “You already looked so fierce at five years old.”

“And you already looked very spoiled at three,” Evan replied, wrapping an arm around Alice’s shoulders.

They returned to the master bedroom. Alice’s earlier tension had turned into a deep warmth. Knowing that their marriage had been the dream of both their mothers brought a new sense of peace.

Alice lay on the bed, gazing at the photograph again under the bedside lamp. “Evan, I feel incredibly lucky. It’s like all the pieces of my life puzzle are finally complete. No more enemies, no more dark secrets, only love from those who came before us.”

Evan lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “I feel it too. My mother must be very happy up there, seeing you carrying her grandchild now.”

“We’ll take Leo to that house in England someday, right?” Alice asked.

“Of course. We’ll teach him to play in the same garden where we once played,” Evan replied.

Life at the Nathaniel estate truly changed. There were no more shadows of fear. The following days were filled with joyful preparations for childbirth. Alice spent her time knitting, reading, and strolling through the garden with Lavina. Zavian was often seen relaxing on the veranda, occasionally reminiscing with Alice about Grizelle’s past.

Everything seemed perfect. Bright mornings, calm afternoons, and nights full of affection. Evan had transformed from a cold, anger-filled man into an exceptionally attentive husband.

Several months later.

Alice’s pregnancy had reached nine months. Her belly was very large now, and moving had become difficult. Evan had a medical team on standby in the adjacent room, twenty-four hours a day.

That night, a gentle rain fell. Alice sat on the bed reading a book, while Evan massaged his wife’s slightly swollen feet.

“Evan, I think Leo is very excited tonight,” Alice said with a small grimace.

“He’s kicking again?” Evan asked.

“Not just kicking. It feels… different,” Alice took a deep breath. “My stomach has been very tight for the past hour.”

Evan immediately stopped and looked at her with concern. “Are these contractions?”

“I don’t know. This is our first child, Evan,” Alice replied, her voice tinged with panic.

Evan stood up at once and grabbed his phone. “Rico! Call Doctor Sarah to the room now! Hurry!”

He returned to Alice’s side, holding her hand as cold sweat began to form. “Stay calm, Alice. Breathe. I’m here.”

Alice squeezed Evan’s hand tightly as a sharper pain surged through her. She looked into his eyes, a mix of pain and joy reflected in her gaze.

“Evan… I think my water just broke,” Alice whispered, her breath uneven.