Chapter 110
Just then, Nathaniel's phone buzzed with a WhatsApp notification from Victoria.
After reading the message, he quickly exited the bedroom.
Hearing the door close, Evelyn opened her eyes slowly, a wry smile playing on her lips.
She placed a protective hand over her abdomen, steadied her breathing, and drifted back to sleep.
The following morning, Evelyn returned to her family home to pack for university.
Margaret grasped Evelyn's hand with concern. "Must you really live on campus? I could prepare your favorite meals every day if you stayed."
"Aunt Margaret, I'm not a child anymore. I can take care of myself," Evelyn insisted firmly.
Her decision to stay on campus was final.
If Margaret discovered she was actually staying at the Whitmore estate, she'd worry endlessly and might accidentally reveal it to Evelyn's brothers.
Evelyn wanted no complications, especially with Eleanor's surgery scheduled in just seven days.
Once she survived this week's charade, true freedom would be hers.
As Evelyn lifted her suitcase, Julian entered the room. Seeing her luggage, realization dawned on him.
"Evelyn, why didn't you tell us today was move-in day? We would have loved to accompany you," he exclaimed.
"Julian, everyone's so busy with their own lives. I didn't want to be a burden," Evelyn explained.
"Nothing is more important than family. Let me drive you."
Evelyn noticed the dark shadows beneath Julian's eyes - clear evidence of sleepless nights spent performing surgeries.
Knowing refusal was pointless, she decided to leave early so Julian could return home and rest.
They departed together.
During the drive, Julian's phone vibrated repeatedly. Evelyn glimpsed the caller ID displaying "Victoria Sinclair" before he silenced it.
"Julian, you've been working too hard lately," Evelyn remarked from the passenger seat.
"When am I not?" he replied, eyes fixed on the road.
"Focus on your studies. Don't worry about finances or work," Julian advised.
"I understand," Evelyn nodded. "I've got a part-time job at the studio that covers my expenses."
Julian sighed quietly. His sister's independence often made him feel unnecessary.
Soon they arrived at Halvard University.
Turning to Julian, Evelyn said earnestly, "I'll be fine. You look exhausted - go home and rest."
Relenting, Julian replied, "Only if you accept the Venmo transfer I'm sending. Consider it a university gift."
Evelyn's phone pinged with notifications - allowances from all six brothers. With a resigned smile, she said, "Alright, thank you."
"Go ahead. I'll watch you enter."
As Evelyn walked toward campus, Julian pulled out his phone and typed in their family group chat: "Our little sister's officially a university student now."
His attention shifted to multiple WhatsApp notifications from Victoria.
"Julian, I heard you left your Doctors Without Borders assignment. Where are you now?"
"Can we meet? We need to talk."
Julian frowned at the messages and typed his reply: "Some things are better left unsaid."
Victoria stared at her phone, deeply troubled by his response.
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It made no sense to her. Julian performed free surgeries for strangers yet refused to operate on Eleanor. She suspected he harbored some secret resentment against her.
His attitude had clearly changed, but the reason remained a mystery Victoria couldn't solve.