Chapter 57
Evelyn’s POV
Calvin’s face darkened at my words, his Alpha energy radiating as he stepped closer, clearly disapproving of my accusations against Clara.
“I have evidence,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze. “Every single piece proves Clara’s crimes p>
If Calvin hadn’t intervened, getting her released on bail and protecting her, she would already be behind bars with the rest of her family.
“If I found proof it was truly her, I wouldn’t protect her,” Calvin insisted. “But that’s not the case, Evelyn. We can’t falsely accuse someone just because of what happened to our children p>
Falsely accuse? I almost laughed.
The evidence was right there in front of him, crystal clear and damning. How could he still believe she was innocent? Was he so blinded by his attraction to her that he couldn’t see the truth?
“Do you really think I, as a father, would want to see my sons poisoned?” His voice grew harder, frustration evident.
I kept my tone cool. “Who knows p>
“After all, you didn’t carry them inside you for seven months. You weren’t the one in the delivery room for four excruciating hours. You never experienced that kind of pain p>
Calvin pinched the bridge of his nose, his handsome features clouded with tension and irritation.I watched his complexion shift between flushed and pale as he swayed slightly.
His breathing turned uneven, his focus drifting. Something was wrong. As a doctor, I noticed he seemed unwell, but maybe I was overthinking it.
“The children stay with me,” I stated firmly. “When you’ve dealt with Clara, we can talk again p>
I lowered my eyes and turned to leave. As I passed by him, Calvin suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“You—” I started to protest, but before I could finish, he collapsed against me, his chin resting on my shoulder as his full weight pressed against my body.
I staggered back two steps until my back hit the tree trunk behind us.
“Calvin!” I exclaimed, checking his pulse. It was weak and thready.
I remembered his body temperature had always run cool – typical for strong Alphas. In summer, I used to love curling against his cool skin. But now, heat radiated through his shirt. He was sick!
Calvin’s POV
When I regained consciousness, I was in Evelyn’s guest room again. My shirt was gone once more and medical patches covered strategic points across my body. An IV drip hung beside the bed, and a heart rate monitor beeped steadily.
Outside, dusk had fallen. These past few years of raising children and managing the company, coupled with recent distractions, had clearly taken a toll on my health. I needed to be more careful.
I tried to sit up, only to find myself tethered by monitoring wires and the IV line. I must have looked pathetic, like some kind of medical experiment.
The door creaked open slightly. First came little Alexis, clutching her sippy cup. Then Rhys, cautiously peering around the frame. Finally, Rowan appeared, his eyes filled with worry, both for my condition and their unauthorized visit.
The three children stacked their heads in the doorway like a totem pole. Their similar features, identical expressions of surprise and delight; from my vantage point, they looked remarkably alike. A wild, impossible thought crossed my mind,but I dismissed it immediately.
“Mom! Dad’s awake!” Rowan, ever the responsible oldest, ran to find Evelyn.
Rhys followed, eager to ask his mother to make me well again.
Only Alexis remained. She wore soft pink pajamas that made her look absolutely adorable, her freshly washed hair framing skin as smooth and white as porcelain. I felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her forehead.
She padded over to my bedside in her slippers, studying me with curious eyes.
“Uncle sick,” she said, tilting her head.
Despite all the medical equipment, my headache had actually subsided. I watched as the little girl, sippy cup between her teeth, placed her small hands on the edge of the bed. With two determined little hops, she managed to climb up beside me.
She sat cross-legged next to me, drinking from her cup while quietly observing the medical equipment, patiently waiting for her mother to arrive.
When she grew tired, she simply lay down on the other pillow, one hand holding her cup while the other played idly with her sock.
Evelyn’s POV
When I entered the room, I found a surprisingly peaceful scene. My daughter lay beside Calvin, drinking her milk, while he lay still, connected to various medical equipment, occasionally glancing her way.
Within moments, Alexis finished her bedtime milk. She sat obediently on the bed, watching as I checked his vitals and adjusted the IV. Rowan and Rhys had also climbed onto the bed, sitting beside their sister to observe.
Both boys looked worried, especially Rowan.
“Mom, is Dad going to be okay?” he asked, his voice heavy with concern.
I carefully checked all the monitoring equipment, making sure everything was secure and out of the children’s reach, before answering Rowan’s question.
“He’ll be fine,” I assured him. “He just needs a good night’s sleep p>
This wasn’t the first time Rowan had seen Calvin collapse. The last time, he’d passed out in the car. This time, he’d fallen against me.
“Mom, can Dad stay here tonight?” Rowan pressed. “I want to sleep next to him p>
Rhys, ever his brother’s shadow, immediately raised his hand too, volunteering to keep their father company.
Alexis looked from Rowan to Rhys, clearly considering joining their request, but then changed her mind and reached for me instead.
“Sleep with Mommy,” she declared, her big eyes fixed solely on me.
I lifted her into my arms and tried to convince the boys. “Your father isn’t feeling well. If you stay with him, he’ll have to look after you, and he won’t get proper rest p>
I suggested they come sleep with me, promising they could stay with Calvin when he was better.
Rowan, quick-witted as always, immediately asked, “Mom, can Dad sleep in this room from now on p>
Rhys’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Then Dad can live with us together!” He looked to me eagerly for confirmation.
Faced with their hopeful expressions, I swallowed the denial that had risen to my lips. Instead, I said, “If your father wants to stay, he can p>
I didn’t want to be the villain in front of the children. I shot Calvin a meaningful glance, silently urging him to refuse.
But to my utter shock, Calvin nodded in agreement.
He actually agreed.
With Clara still at his house, what was he thinking, agreeing to stay here?
Rhys celebrated by dancing on the bed. “Yay! This is great p>
“I can live with Dad and Mom and brother and sister all together!” he exclaimed.
Rowan couldn’t hide his joy either. Standing at the bedside with his brother, he said to Calvin, “Dad, rest well, make sure you sleep good p>
“My brother and I are going to bed now. We’ll come see you in the morning p>
Calvin nodded, offering a few words of instruction to the boys. Alexis followed her brothers back to their bedroom.
I stayed behind, confusion evident in my expression as I frowned at Calvin. “Why did you agree to stay when you know p>
“Know what?” Calvin challenged. “That you don’t like me staying here? That you hate me, despise me, and want to keep our sons away from me too p>
I was speechless. “That’s not what I meant p>
Calvin turned away, his dark eyes fixed on the bedside lamp, seemingly unaware that he was still shirtless.