Grace O'Sullivan hesitated for just a moment.
In the end, she didn't step back into the elevator.
She left.
Evelyn couldn't hold back her tears anymore.
Alexander held her, gently patting her back.
When Evelyn calmed down a little, he asked, "Evelyn, is Grace Iris's daughter?"
"Yes. Grace is Iris's daughter.
I saw Mother Iris with a picture of Sister Grace once.
She was crying when she looked at it.
I promised Mother Iris I wouldn't tell anyone.
But I'm afraid this time..." Evelyn couldn't finish.
"Mother Iris will be fine." Alexander pulled Evelyn closer.
Later, Iris finally turned the corner.
Through the glass window of the ICU, Evelyn watched Iris talking to Alexander.
Alexander nodded in agreement.
Soon, he came out and said to Evelyn,
"Mother Iris wants you to go home and see the baby earlier.
Don't stay in the hospital all the time."
Evelyn nodded.
She went back first.
Back at Sterling Manor, Evelyn looked at the baby sleeping in her arms.
She remembered everything that happened outside the emergency room.
She didn't know what Alexander was feeling when he told Grace, "Don't yell at my wife."
But she clearly saw the hurt in Grace's eyes.
It was like a dying person finally giving up the fight.
Like the last spark of a fire finally going out.
Helpless and desolate.
And the words Grace said to them seemed meant for Alexander.
But Evelyn felt they were more for her.
Grace was telling her that she and Alexander had no connection anymore.
She didn't want to disturb them any longer.
Evelyn couldn't help sighing.
If it weren't for Iris, she really didn't want any more contact with Grace.
Meeting only made things more awkward.
Grace was afraid of being disturbed.
Evelyn just wanted peace of mind.
After a while, the nanny came to take the baby.
"The baby is asleep. I'll put her in the crib," the nanny said.
Evelyn said she would do it.
She picked up the baby and carried her to the nursery.
Alexander stayed at the hospital to take care of Iris.
When he came home, it was already midnight.
Evelyn woke up groggily and asked, "How is Mother Iris?"
"She's stable for now," Alexander replied.
Evelyn felt relieved and fell back asleep quickly.
Alexander took a shower.
He went downstairs to check on the baby.
Then he returned to the bedroom.
He held Evelyn.
She didn't wake up.
Whether from exhaustion or resistance, he didn't know.
But she had been so tired lately.
Grace received a package.
There was no sender's name.
Only a phone number.
It was Alexander's number.
Grace took the package back to her apartment.
She left it by the sofa and went into the kitchen.
She cooked tomato and beef noodles.
When she brought the bowl to the living room, she saw the package still lying there.
After a few bites of noodles, she picked it up and opened it.
Inside were some investigation reports.
Grace finished reading them quickly.
She took out her phone and dialed the number on the package.
The phone rang a few times.
Alexander's voice came through.
"What do you mean by sending me these things?" Grace asked, her face expressionless.
"I hope you can face the facts," Alexander replied.
"What facts?
The fact that you grew up in a wealthy family while I lived on the streets?
The fact that you were loved by your parents and cared for by nannies, while I was abused and bullied?
I never had enough to eat or wear.
Are these investigation reports what you call facts?
My reality is what I lived through.
My own experience.
Do you understand that?
You don't!
Because you've never suffered like that.
You can't understand!" Grace's voice turned hysterical.
"In your mind, you're the most miserable person in the world.
Compared to you, no one else's pain matters.
Of course, no one else's efforts mean anything to you either," Alexander said coldly.
Grace laughed bitterly.
"Alexander, after all these years, you still resent me for breaking up with you, don't you?"
"Sorry to disappoint you.
I won't deny that I once hated and didn't understand.
But now I've let it go.
Because someone taught me that love is happier than hatred."
"Evelyn? Are you really in love with her?" Grace asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't have to report my feelings to an outsider.
I've sent you the investigation report.
Whether you want to see Iris or not is your decision.
After all, it's your personal freedom.
No one else has the right to interfere.
I have other things to do. Goodbye."
Alexander hung up.
Grace stared at the phone.
His words echoed in her ears.
"I don't have to report my feelings to an outsider."
"This is your personal freedom. No one else has the right to interfere."
Since when had she become an outsider in his heart?
His life had nothing to do with her.
And hers had nothing to do with him.
Grace couldn't stop sobbing.
Alexander returned to Sterling Manor.
He handed his briefcase to Lily Thompson and asked, "Where's Evelyn?"
"Fourth Young Master, the young lady is in the nursery with the baby," Lily replied, taking the briefcase.
Alexander walked to the nursery.
The door wasn't closed.
He pushed it open.
He heard Evelyn humming a lullaby to the baby.
The baby giggled.
Alexander watched the scene.
His heart softened.
He thought about his conversation with Grace.
He understood why he could speak to her so calmly now.
Because someone had shown him that love was happier than hatred.
And that someone was the woman in front of him.
She made him forget all the unhappiness of the past.
Even the deepest pain.
Evelyn sensed something.
She turned her head and saw Alexander.
Looking into his eyes, she stood up and said, "You're back!"
But the next second, Alexander pulled her into his arms.
Evelyn froze.
Her eyes widened.
She even forgot to push him away.
Alexander parted his lips and sighed.
"Wife, don't you know you have to close your eyes when you kiss?"
Evelyn's face turned bright red.
"Keep your distance from me!"
She ignored him, bent down, and continued teasing the baby.
"Baby, you're so rude!"
But the baby was clearly more interested in what just happened.
Her round eyes stared at them without blinking.
"Son, you should learn from your father.
Find a wife as good as your mother," Alexander said, picking up the baby with a smile.
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
She clearly didn't buy his words at all.