Chapter 29
Evelyn’s POV
I watched as Rowan and Rhys finished their morning routine and headed straight for the guest room. Last night had been a rare night of uninterrupted sleep for Calvin,the empty herbal tea cup and used aromatherapy diffuser on his bedside table were evidence that my medical remedies had worked effectively.
The special herbal mix I made worked perfectly. It had chamomile, lavender, and some rare ingredients I developed while working at Evelink Biosciences. As both the founder of the institute and a doctor with training in different types of medicine, I created this mix to help heal the body quickly. Along with the emergency treatment we gave earlier, it helped stabilize Calvin’s condition in just minutes.
Through the partially open door, I could see him looking thoughtfully at the medical supplies I’d left behind. The subtle lingering scent of the therapeutic oils still hung in the air, a reminder of our brief interaction last night.
When the boys entered the room, Calvin had just emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed in clean clothes that Zeon had brought him early this morning. My sons immediately latched onto his legs, one child clinging to each limb, their relief palpable once they confirmed he was alright.
Alexis trailed behind them, arriving a step later. I watched her pause, assessing the situation with that precocious mind of hers.
Poor thing,with both of Calvin’s legs already claimed by her brothers,she had nowhere to attach herself.
After a moment’s hesitation, she stretched her arms toward Calvin. Her freshly washed face was flushed pink, impossibly endearing. “Uncle carry,” she murmured softly.
Calvin considered for two seconds before lifting her into his arms. If it had been anyone else but Alexis, I knew Rowan and Rhys would have been consumed with jealousy seeing their father hold another child. But with my daughter, they seemed perfectly content.
Alexis wrapped her arms around Calvin’s neck and reminded everyone, “Brothers, we need to go have breakfast before school p>
When I saw Calvin holding Alexis in the hallway, fear hit me hard. I had been so careful about hiding her past. I’d faked her medical records and covered up any signs of her true father.
I hurried to take her from him. For a moment, my usual calm doctor’s manner slipped. I couldn’t let him sense anything strange about her. Not now, not ever.
I caught the flash of suspicion in Calvin’s eyes at my defensive reaction. His gaze fixed intently on Alexis’s delicate features, studying her face with unnerving focus.
Before he could dwell on it further, I gestured toward the dining room. “Children, breakfast is ready. You all need proper nutrition before school p>
Rowan hurried after me immediately. Rhys hesitated, his footsteps uncertain. As both their mother and a doctor, I recognized the signs of emotional insecurity in his behavior – I knew he was still seeking reassurance, still doubting his place with me.
“Dad, I’ll go with you,”he finally decided, seeking the comfort of his father’s presence.
After breakfast, I gathered Alexis in my arms and loaded her and the boys into the car to take them to school.
From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Calvin standing alone beside his black Maybach as Zeon hurriedly opened the rear door for him, clearly nervous after last night’s events.
At the preschool entrance, Rowan and Rhys proudly introduced Alexis as their sister to their classmates. I followed behind them, my heart swelling with affection at the sight.
“Rowan, your mom and sister are so beautiful!” one child exclaimed.
“Rhys, your parents are the most handsome mom and dad I’ve ever seen,” another added.
“Your sister is so adorable. I wish I had a sister like her p>
Alexis responded to their compliments with a brilliant smile, retrieving candies from her little bag to share with everyone. “Hello brother, hello sister,” she greeted each child as she distributed her treats.
My little girl pointed at Rowan and Rhys, her rosy cheeks glowing with pride as she announced, “My brothers p>
The other children, unable to resist the temptation of candy, immediately promised to be nice to Rowan and Rhys from now on.
Alexis smiled with satisfaction, her mission accomplished.
I watched my daughter with amusement, surprised by this sociable side of her I hadn’t fully appreciated before. Now I understood why she had stuffed so many candies into her little bag before leaving home – all for her two brothers.
Rowan and Rhys were visibly moved by the gesture. Alexis had saved her favorite pink candies especially for them.
For the first time, both boys seemed reluctant to enter the preschool. Alexis waved and blew kisses to them from the doorway.
After dropping off the boys, I prepared to take Alexis home. Before getting into the car, she suddenly ran to Calvin, beckoning him to come closer.
Looking confused but obliging, Calvin crouched down to her level. Apparently feeling that having kissed her brothers goodbye, she couldn’t leave Calvin out, Alexis planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
I held my breath as I watched Calvin freeze, clearly unsure how to respond to this unexpected show of affection from my daughter.I felt very worried. How long could I keep pretending everything was okay?
Time passed quickly, and soon the final bell rang. Rowan and Rhys, their little backpacks already packed, raced toward the preschool entrance.
Alexis and I were waiting for them in the designated pickup area. Upon seeing her brothers, Alexis released my hand and sprinted toward them, throwing herself into Rhys’s arms.
Rhys looked genuinely surprised by her affection. “Sis-sister?” he stammered.
Alexis looked up at him with a smile brighter than sunflowers. “Brother,” she confirmed simply.
Rowan, pleased by the growing bond between his brother and sister, took both their hands and led them toward me.
Third POV
From the driver’s seat of her crimson sports car, Clara Whitmore sat stone-faced, her eyes locked on the boys standing beside Evelyn Blackwell.
Rowan and Rhys. Two little wolves she had spent the last three years trying to win over with gifts, flattery, and forced affection. Yet here they were clinging to that woman as if she were their only parent. As if the last three years meant nothing.
Ungrateful brats.
Her fingers curled tighter around the steering wheel, knuckles whitening.
If they wanted to side with Evelyn, so be it.
But they’d soon learn what betrayal cost.