Chapter 427

The clock ticked past midnight as Evelyn lay wide awake in bed.

She tossed and turned for what felt like hours before finally grabbing her phone.

1:07 AM glared back at her from the screen.

With a frustrated sigh, she reached for her nightstand drawer. Her fingers closed around the familiar melatonin bottle.

Just as she popped the cap, her gaze landed on the folic acid tablets beside her lamp.

A sharp inhale.

She threw the sleeping pill in the trash without hesitation.

For the baby. She had to remember that now.

By 8 AM, Evelyn had already dropped Lily and Henry at Mooncrest Academy.

She returned with breakfast bags in hand just as Nathan emerged from Michael's room, hastily buttoning his shirt.

"Nathan," she greeted smoothly, "I brought you breakfast."

Michael appeared in the doorway, cheeks flushed. "Evelyn, I can explain-"

"No need," she interrupted. "If you two are serious, maybe you should consider getting your own place. The kids and I might be... distracting." She set down the food. "We could find another property in the neighborhood. Be neighbors."

Michael shook his head vehemently. "Absolutely not! We're fine here. If Nathan stays over, it's only at night-"

Nathan facepalmed.

"Come eat," Michael insisted, dragging him to the table.

Nathan's eyes lingered on Evelyn's outfit - a cream cashmere sweater paired with a crimson wrap dress, finished with knee-high leather boots. Light makeup accentuated her features.

"Going somewhere special, Miss Thorne?" Nathan asked between bites.

Michael answered for her. "Eric Montclair's comeback signing! We're hosting the ceremony at Oceanview Grand today."

Nathan nearly choked. "So it's true? You actually cured him?"

Evelyn deftly changed subjects. "I thought you blocked Michael. What changed?"

Nathan's expression turned dramatic. "I was at a work happy hour when this lunatic stormed in and dragged me out!"

Michael scowled. "Speaking of which, why am I still on your blocked list?"

Evelyn stood abruptly. "Enjoy your breakfast. I should get going."

At precisely 11 AM, Oceanview Grand's grand ballroom buzzed with energy.

Eric Montclair's first public appearance since his hiatus trended worldwide, with thousands watching the livestream.

In the penthouse office of Blackwood Group, Dominic's computer screen displayed the event.

His grip tightened on his pen as the camera zoomed in on Evelyn standing beside Eric.

Both wore matching cream sweaters.

Dominic's jaw clenched.

That was the sweater she'd knitted for him.

The one he'd worn.

The one he'd returned after their breakup.

And now she wore it with another man?

A violent cough racked his chest as fury burned through him.