Evelyn went to the hospital to visit Iris as usual.
Iris's waking hours were now far fewer than her time in deep sleep.
One day, she might just keep sleeping and never wake up.
Evelyn visited the hospital almost every day to see Iris.
She knew the person Iris most wanted to see wasn't her.
Still, she went every single day.
When Evelyn arrived at Iris's ward, she looked through the glass window at the bed.
But she spotted a familiar figure standing beside it—Grace O'Sullivan.
Evelyn thought she was mistaken.
She rubbed her eyes and looked again.
It was definitely Grace.
Iris seemed to be still sleeping.
She had no idea Grace was there.
Evelyn had to sit outside and wait for Grace to finish her visit.
Before long, Grace came out.
She saw Evelyn and froze for a moment.
But she quickly regained her composure and walked over to greet Evelyn.
"Let's grab a coffee together," Grace said.
Evelyn didn't refuse.
So they sat down in a café near the hospital.
Evelyn ordered a juice.
Grace ordered a coffee.
"You're still nursing. You can't have coffee, can you?" Grace looked at Evelyn's drink and asked.
"No, I'm just not used to coffee," Evelyn replied with a faint smile.
"It's really bad to drink coffee, but I'm addicted. I can't kick it," Grace said.
"If you truly want to quit, there's nothing you can't give up," Evelyn responded calmly.
Grace paused for a moment.
Then she looked up at Evelyn and smiled.
"Well, nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it."
"You came to see Iris. She would be so happy to know," Evelyn said, changing the subject.
"I just came to give her a chance to explain.
Like you said,
I haven't forgiven you, but I should at least give her a chance.
For the sake of her giving birth to me," Grace replied.
"Then wait for Iris to wake up and meet her. She'll explain everything clearly to you," Evelyn said.
Grace nodded.
Then both of them fell silent.
The atmosphere felt stiff.
After a while, Grace spoke.
"I'm sorry for what I said to you that day. I was a bit out of control."
"It's fine. It's over. Besides, when you're angry, words shouldn't be taken seriously."
"Evelyn, you're a very generous woman."
"I'm not as good as you say. I just don't want to dwell on things," Evelyn answered calmly.
Grace looked at Evelyn and smiled.
She found herself unconsciously admiring Evelyn.
Sometimes, she felt proud of herself.
But this calm reaction wasn't a sign of weakness.
The two women didn't mention Alexander.
It seemed there was no longer a man between them.
Just a simple interaction between two women.
After finishing their drinks, Evelyn and Grace returned to the hospital together.
Iris had woken up.
Evelyn encouraged Grace to listen to Iris's explanation.
No matter the outcome, she should try not to get excited or upset Iris.
Grace nodded and entered the ward to see Iris.
Evelyn sat on the chair outside, waiting quietly.
She didn't know how long it took.
Maybe half an hour.
Maybe just fifteen minutes.
Grace came out of the ward.
But something was different.
Her eyes were red.
She had clearly been crying.
Evelyn wanted to ask Grace how the conversation with Iris went.
In the end, she didn't ask.
She was afraid of upsetting Grace.
But Grace spoke first.
"Evelyn, thank you."
"You're welcome," Evelyn replied, a little surprised.
"I've applied for a DNA comparison. The results will come out then. If it's confirmed that Iris is my biological mother, I'll acknowledge her. I'll take care of her from now on."
"It doesn't matter who takes care of Iris. As long as you're willing to acknowledge her, that's what counts. Doing the DNA comparison is just to be sure," Evelyn said.
Grace nodded.
Because Grace was finally willing to give Iris a chance, Evelyn felt particularly relaxed on her way back.
Although the DNA results weren't out yet, she wasn't too worried.
She still believed in Iris's words.
It was the nature of a mother and daughter.
When Alexander came home, he asked Evelyn.
"Did Grace go to see Iris today?"
"Yes, she really did. And she applied for a DNA comparison. As long as it's confirmed that Iris is her biological mother, she'll still acknowledge her," Evelyn replied excitedly.
"You convinced her?" Alexander smiled.
"No, maybe she figured it out herself. When I went to see Iris today, she was in the ward, but she hadn't woken up yet.
Later, we went for a drink together. When we came back, Iris had woken up. Grace went in to see her."
"It's best that she figured it out.
After all, Iris's condition isn't optimistic now," Alexander nodded.
"Yes, if Grace is willing to acknowledge Iris, at least Iris won't have so many regrets," Evelyn said.
"You've done a lot. What you said that day touched me," Alexander pinched Evelyn's nose and said with a smile.
"What did I say?" Evelyn's face turned red.
"You said that if you find out you're wrong one day, you might not have a chance to make up for it," Alexander stared at Evelyn and replied.
"Did I say that?"
"Yes, I heard it so clearly that I could even hear the punctuation marks," Alexander responded.
"How do you recognize punctuation marks?" Evelyn immediately laughed.
"Tone. The tone you used when you spoke. You said it so well that even I was moved. How could Grace not be moved?"
"Listen to your nonsense. I'm going to see my son instead of talking to you."
"Together. I want to see my son too."
"You look at yours, I'll look at mine."
"My son is your son, and your son is my son," Alexander said, exasperated.
"He is now, but maybe not in the future," Evelyn teased.
"Evelyn, you've fouled. You've started a personal attack."
"Where did I attack you?" Evelyn looked at Alexander with a smile and asked.
"Then explain to me what 'maybe not' means," Alexander said angrily.
"For example, if you remarry and I remarry, my son won't be your son, and your son naturally won't be mine," Evelyn shrugged as she answered, completely ignoring Alexander's anger.
"Evelyn, you should give up that idea. In the future, your sons and daughters will only have the chance to be Sterlings," Alexander wrapped his arm around Evelyn's shoulder and declared.
"Then I can find another Sterling to marry. There's more than one Sterling in the world," Evelyn said with a smile.
"Don't even think about remarrying unless you're widowed," Alexander said angrily.
"..." Evelyn was immediately speechless, stunned by Alexander.
Just now, she said he was attacking her personally.
And now he was cursing her!