Evelyn returned to Sterling Manor, still feeling unsettled.
"Evie, no matter what happens, don't get worked up. Don't forget, you still have Mom and your family. Mom and Dad and I are your support. And now that you're carrying a baby, you need to be extra careful. You must take care of yourself!"
"Sis, I'm fine. You don't have to be so nervous!" Evelyn said with a faint smile.
"I'm not nervous. I'm just—forget it. Otherwise, why don't you come back to Mom's place with me for a couple of days? Once Alexander explains things clearly, we can come back!"
"Sis, it's not that serious. I can take care of myself. You should head back and rest. It's late!" Evelyn smiled.
Victoria looked at her sister, still wearing that indifferent smile.
"Alright, I'll go first. If anything happens, call me directly. No matter how late it is, just call. My phone is on 24/7."
"Sis, I know. You can rest assured. Nothing's wrong. Alexander will explain everything to me clearly. Don't worry!" Evelyn placed her hands on Victoria's shoulders and said with a smile.
"If you're sure, I'll head back now!"
"Go home early. I'm tired too. I'll take a bath and go to bed soon!"
"Alright!" Victoria nodded.
After getting into the car, she gave Evelyn a few more instructions before driving away from Sterling Manor.
Evelyn watched her sister leave, then turned and walked back into the manor.
To say she didn't care at all would be lying to herself. But she didn't want to fly into a rage like a shrew before things were clear.
That wasn't her style.
Even if Alexander and Grace really had something going on, she still wanted to hear his explanation first before deciding what to do next.
But the ache in her heart reminded her that she was hurt.
No matter what Alexander's intentions were, he had lied to her tonight.
"Madam, you're back!" Lily Thompson saw Evelyn enter and spoke up.
"Lily, why haven't you rested yet?" Evelyn looked up at her.
"I wanted to wait for you to come back and see if you'd like me to prepare a late-night snack." Lily explained.
"No, I'm full from dinner. Go ahead and rest!" Evelyn said.
"Alright!" Lily nodded.
Evelyn entered the room and went straight upstairs.
Lily stayed downstairs, not leaving immediately. The fourth young master hadn't returned yet, and he had instructed her to look after the madam before he came back.
Alexander drove Grace back to her apartment. He didn't intend to walk her upstairs.
Grace didn't get out of the car immediately either. Instead, she turned to Alexander.
"Alexander, we might not have a chance to meet again. Take care of yourself. And explain things well to Evelyn. Don't let there be any misunderstandings. You two must live well and be happy. That will put my mind at ease."
"Evelyn and I are fine. You don't need to worry. Just take care of yourself!" Alexander replied coldly.
"Alexander, I know you've always been angry with me. You don't want to forgive me.
Over the years, I've thought a lot. Sometimes I regret my choices.
But some things are like that. By the time you realize you should cherish them, it's too late to get them back.
And I know very well that there's no chance for us now.
But if I could go back in time and choose again, I think I'd still make the same decision!"
"What's the point of talking about this now?" Alexander's expression darkened as he listened to Grace's words.
"I know it's pointless. But I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I'll never have another chance.
Alexander, I was in a difficult situation back then. I had no other choice!
Even though I regret it now, I know I can't change anything or get anything back.
I just hope you can forgive me. Remember the good times we had. Don't resent me anymore."
"I've already let it go! Don't dwell on the past anymore. Focus on getting better. You still have a long life ahead of you!" Alexander turned to look at Grace and said.
"Whether you've let it go or not, good or bad, it's all in the past. You can start over!" Grace murmured. "You married a wonderful wife. She's so bright and cheerful. She can pull you out of the darkness. I'm truly happy for you!"
"Grace, you should let go of the past too. In the end, we weren't meant to be together. It just wasn't our fate.
Since there's no fate, why hold on?"
"What about you? Can you really let it go?" Grace looked at Alexander, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"All I can tell you is that I will never betray Evelyn!" Alexander said.
"I know. Live well with Evelyn. She's truly a good girl. She deserves your whole heart! I'm going back now. You should head home too. Explain things to Evelyn properly. She'll understand!" Grace finished speaking, unbuckled her seatbelt, and got out of the car.
Alexander didn't get out. He sat quietly in the driver's seat.
Grace walked toward the stairs. Not far away, her body swayed for a moment. She stopped, trying to steady herself.
After a while, she continued walking forward.
Before she reached the stairs, Grace's body crumpled like a domino, and she fell to the ground.
"Grace—"
After taking a bath, Evelyn sat on the sofa in her bedroom. She held a parenting book in her hands, but she couldn't focus on reading it.
She glanced at the time. She had been back for two hours, but Alexander still hadn't returned.
Her sister had called twice already, worried about her.
The second time she called, Evelyn had to lie and say she was already asleep.
Evelyn sighed. She might as well go to sleep first. Even if she didn't want to sleep, the baby needed rest.
Things would work out eventually. She didn't need to rush.
Just as Evelyn got up to rest, her phone rang.
Thinking it was her sister calling again out of concern, Evelyn picked up the phone and said, "Sis, I'm going to bed. You should get some rest too!"
"Evelyn, it's me!" Alexander's voice came from the other end.
Evelyn was stunned for a moment before she spoke.
"Are you still busy?"
"No, I took Grace to the hospital. I might be a bit late getting home. Don't wait for me. Get some rest first!"
"Oh, okay. I'll go to bed now!" Evelyn said.
"Evelyn, don't overthink things. I'll explain everything when I get back. Sleep well!" Alexander reassured her again.
"Alright!" Evelyn replied and hung up.
She let out a sigh, put down her phone, got up, and walked to the bathroom. After using the bathroom, Evelyn lay down on the bed, ready to rest.
But falling asleep peacefully seemed difficult right now.
Some things might not be clear to her at the moment, but others could see them plainly.