Chapter 200

The clock struck six in the evening.

Evelyn was driving back to Mooncrest Manor when she noticed the gates were already open.

A sleek red BMW sat parked in the front courtyard.

Evelyn immediately recognized the vehicle - it belonged to Sophie.

Why would Sophie show up unannounced?

"Evelyn!"

Sophie came running out the moment she spotted Evelyn's car. "I met your two children! If I hadn't heard from others about your adoption, were you planning to keep this from me forever?"

Hearing Sophie's accusatory tone, Evelyn hesitated before stepping out of her car.

She realized with frustration that whenever Dominic discovered anything about her, the whole world seemed to know!

And whatever Sophie found out would inevitably reach Dominic's ears!

She couldn't exactly cut ties with Sophie just because she was dating Adrian Vaughn, though she understood Sophie's close connection to Jun Hertz.

"How could you?!" Sophie marched over and practically dragged Evelyn from the car. "It's just adopting two children! Why the secrecy?"

Evelyn found herself at a loss for words...

"And those adopted kids look exactly like you and Dominic! Did you choose them because they're beautiful?" Sophie pressed.

Evelyn shrugged. "...Yes! Henry didn't resemble Dominic when he was younger. If he had, I wouldn't have adopted him."

Sophie gasped. "How extraordinary! They look so alike despite being unrelated!"

"Who knows? Children's appearances change dramatically as they grow." Evelyn replied guiltily.

"But Evelyn... why adopt children at all?" Sophie looked genuinely puzzled. "Your mother mentioned Henry has... challenges. Isn't that exhausting?"

Understanding Sophie's concern came from a good place, Evelyn explained patiently, "Sophie, children are blessings, even with their difficulties."

"I'm not saying they're bad, I just worry it must be tiring for you."

"He's a wonderful child. Never causes any trouble." Evelyn moved to change her shoes.

Just then, Henry and Lily came bounding over.

"Mommy, is Aunt Sophie your best friend? She bought me so many pretty dresses and hair clips! Can I keep them?" Lily asked eagerly, her chin tilted upward.

"Of course! Aunt Sophie is my dearest friend."

"Oh... thank you, Aunt Sophie!" Lily beamed.

Sophie affectionately ruffled Lily's hair. "It's too bad Henry didn't like the gift I brought him."

Lily piped up helpfully, "Aunt Sophie, my brother loves puzzles. Next time bring him a really hard one! He solves the easy ones too quickly."

Sophie nodded enthusiastically. "I'll get one tomorrow! Lily, you're absolutely gorgeous - you look just like your mother when she was little!"

Lily declared proudly, "I'm Mommy's daughter, of course I look like her!"

Sophie stood speechless...

Evelyn quickly pulled the stunned Sophie into the bedroom.

"Evelyn! Those are your biological children, aren't they? No wonder they resemble you and Dominic so much!" Before Evelyn could respond, Sophie cut in sharply, "Don't you dare lie to me! If you do, I'll tell Dominic they're his!"

Evelyn's mouth opened and closed wordlessly.

She should have known better than to think she could keep such secrets forever.

The only way to maintain them would have been to never return and avoid everyone she knew.

But the world proved too small for that. Now it was far too late.