Chapter 157
Evelyn’s POV
Evelink Biosciences.
We stood in front of Gary’s apartment door. Emma looked stressed.
“How long has he been like this?” I whispered.
Emma sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Since he returned from Duskwatch Bay. He won’t eat, just drowns himself in booze. Keeps the curtains closed 24/7. Just sits alone in the dark p>
“Has anyone else checked on him?” I asked, eyeing the untouched tray of food on the small table outside his door.
“Everyone has tried. He won’t open the door for anyone.” Emma shook her head. “We had no choice but to call you. If he wasn’t wearing the vitals monitor we issue to all staff, I’d be worried he was p>
She didn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t need to.
I banged my knuckles against the door. “Gary, open up p>
Silence greeted us. No shuffling, no movement, nothing.
I knocked again, harder this time. “Gary, I’m counting to three. If you don’t open this door, you can forget about ever seeing Alex again p>
I began counting. “One… two p>
The door cracked open before I could finish. Emma and I both exhaled in relief.
Gary stood in the doorway. He looked like hell. His face was gray, and his eyes were dead—staring right through me. The stale stench of cigarettes and alcohol wafted from the darkness behind him. Sunlight from the hallway cut across his face, making him look even more wrecked.
I turned to Emma. “I’ll take it from here. You can go back to work p>
As Emma grabbed the untouched tray of food, she whispered, “Don’t be too hard on him. But if a kick in the ass will solve the problem, don’t waste your breath p>
Gary had already slunk back into his apartment. I followed him inside and closed the door. The air in the room felt heavy and stale, but I resisted the urge to rip open the curtains immediately. Instead, I placed the fresh food on the dining table and opened his refrigerator. The cold light revealed bare shelves.
In that harsh, cold light, I looked around. Gary was slumped on the floor against the sofa. Bottles were everywhere. He was gripping a half-empty wine bottle like it was his lifeline, looking like he’d lost everything.
I shot off a quick text, and within minutes, a staff member arrived with several bottles from my personal collection. These were rare vintages I’d been saving.
Walking to the sofa, I slammed the bottles on the coffee table and looked down at him. “Want some more? I have plenty where that came from p>
Gary blinked, confused. He’d clearly expected a lecture, not an open bar. That small act of kindness shattered his last defense.
“Eve he sobbed, my name catching in his throat.
His thoughts were obviously chaotic. I could see him struggling to articulate the pain. I reached down and gently ruffled his hair, only to feel a layer of grease coating my fingers.
My hand froze. “Gary, for the love of the Goddess, get your ass in the shower p>
“Eve… am I that gross?” His voice cracked, somehow sounding even more pitiful.
I kicked him in the shin.”You haven’t showered in days. I could literally fry chicken with the oil in your hair p>
I gave him a pointed look. “So yes, I am absolutely disgusted p>
Gary fell silent. He was a mess, but he still had enough shame to be embarrassed.
He scrambled into the bathroom, looking back at me a couple of times like he wanted to argue, but eventually just shut up and went in.
I headed to the kitchen sink and scrubbed my hands until they burned, trying to get that grease off.
The apartment was spacious and fully furnished. While listening to the shower running, I unpacked the food and set the table.
When Gary finally came out, clean and dressed in fresh clothes, the smell of hot food filled the room. The curtains were still drawn, but I’d switched on the floor lamp. I was already eating.
Gary rubbed his nose sheepishly. The bitter alcoholic haze had cleared, and apart from the slight flush on his cheeks and the empty bottles, there was little evidence of his days-long bender.
He dutifully gathered clean dishes and sat down. As he reached for the food, I pulled the plate away, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, suddenly hungry now p>
Though I hadn’t offered a single word of comfort, the cloud hanging over him seemed to lift slightly.
He gave me an embarrassed smile. “Eve, I know I messed up. I won’t do anything this stupid again p>
I knew how much he adored Alexis, so I decided to use that as leverage.
“Alex is almost three now. She copies everything,” I pointed out. “What if she saw you starving yourself and decided to do the same p>
At the mention of my daughter, Gary instantly looked guilty.
He raised three fingers in a solemn pledge. “Eve, I promise. Never again p>
I caught him hiding his other hand behind his back. His fingers were crossed.
“Uncross those fingers right now p>
Caught in his little trick, he grinned sheepishly. His appetite was clearly returning.
“Fine, eat,” I said, waving him toward the food.
I kept a straight face, but inside I was worried. Whatever happened in Duskwatch Bay must have been related to his pack. Given his mental state, I decided he needed time away from the lab. He would be a liability if he got distracted during an experiment.
That afternoon, I insisted he pack a bag and come stay at my place.
“Eve, I’m really fine,” he protested weakly.
“Well, I’m not,” I countered. “You’re going to help with the kids for a few days while I focus on my research p>
When we arrived at my home, Alexis was playing hide-and-seek with her brothers. She was hiding behind the curtains when she spotted Gary with his suitcase. Her eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect O.
Forgetting her game, she ran toward us, her little feet pattering against the floor.
“Uncle Gary!” she shouted, her voice echoing across the room.
Gary crouched down to catch her as she launched herself at him. “Did Alex miss her uncle?” he asked, his voice softening instantly.
Alexis nuzzled against his neck. “Miss you p>
While they were reconnecting, a black luxury sedan pulled up outside. The passenger window rolled down slowly, and I saw a familiar face nodding in my direction.
My gaze fell on the closed rear window, and I was surprised. What was a powerful man like him doing at my home?