Chapter 312

Wesley's question hung heavy in the air, leaving Evelyn speechless for a long moment.

"Have you ever truly loved someone, Wesley?" Evelyn finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "If you had, you wouldn't need to ask why I feel this way."

Wesley shook his head slowly.

"Love makes you possessive. I want to own every part of him, to be the only woman he sees. Most of all, I want a relationship with no barriers between us," Evelyn confessed. A bitter smile touched her lips as she added, "You've seen it yourself. He has Sophia, and he's willing to sacrifice everything for her treatment."

"Before I knew about Sophia's condition, I resented her deeply. But after learning the truth, that resentment faded. I could perform Sophia's second surgery if I wanted to, but I won't."

Wesley studied Evelyn with searching eyes.

"How do you think Dominic would react if he discovered I could cure Sophia?" Evelyn poured herself a generous glass of red wine. "Look how he treats Zoe now - so grateful he'd grant her every wish. Wesley, I refuse to be thanked for helping another woman."

A hollow laugh escaped her lips. "That kind of gratitude means nothing to me!"

Wesley gently removed the wine bottle from Evelyn's reach. "I understand now, Evelyn. If he can't give you perfect love, you'd rather have nothing at all."

"That's not all," Evelyn countered, her voice trembling. "Not only can't he return my love, but he's failed as a father to our children!"

Though she'd only had one glass, Evelyn's cheeks burned scarlet, her words laced with pain and anger.

"He rejected our children! So why is he letting Zoe keep her baby? Why isn't he forcing her to terminate the pregnancy? Tell me that!"

Wesley pushed a glass of juice toward Evelyn. "Please, don't upset yourself."

"Don't be sad, Mommy!" Lily tugged at Evelyn's sleeve. "Henry and I don't need that horrible father! We only need you."

Evelyn stroked her daughter's hair, forcing a smile. "I'm not sad, sweetheart. Just reminding myself of reality."

When Wesley had asked if she planned to tell Dominic the truth, Sophia's innocent eyes had flashed through Evelyn's mind, making her heart waver.

She'd spoken her thoughts aloud for Wesley's benefit, but also to reinforce her own resolve.

At worst, Zoe's surgery would simply fail to help Sophia - an acceptable outcome.

But if Dominic ever discovered Evelyn could have cured his sister, their lives would become entangled again!

With Sophia already complicating matters, now there was pregnant Zoe to contend with too.

How could she possibly reveal the truth?

Monday morning at Mooncrest Academy.

The prestigious kindergarten stood near the gates of Mooncrest Manor.

Evelyn always brought the children to school herself when possible.

On evenings she worked late, Henry would escort Lily home.

The children were engrossed in their lesson when a familiar figure appeared at the classroom door.

Lily spotted her first.

"Henry! It's Sophia!" she cried, dragging her brother toward the doorway.

Sophia stood there, her usually cheerful face clouded with worry.

"My surgery is tomorrow," she murmured anxiously. "I'm scared."

"Is Dr. Montgomery operating on you?" Lily asked.

Sophia nodded.

"Don't let her touch your brain, Sophia! You're not very smart to begin with - what if she makes you even dumber?" Lily declared. "You should hide like last time! Then they can't make you have surgery!"

Henry shot his sister a warning look. "Lily, stay out of it."