Chapter 128
Evelyn had swiftly concocted a plausible excuse.
Noticing Julian's lingering suspicion, she deftly steered the conversation elsewhere. "Julian, how did you know it was Nathaniel who accompanied me to the hospital?"
Even though Evelyn had mentioned her role as a caregiver in a wealthy household, Nathaniel had been discreet about the matter.
So how had Julian immediately deduced it was him?
A flicker of hesitation crossed Julian's face.
Could it be that Julian was familiar with Nathaniel because of Victoria's long-standing infatuation with him?
Naturally, revealing such a connection to his sister was out of the question.
After a brief pause, Julian replied, "The registration and payment records displayed the name 'Nathaniel.' One glance was all it took for me to recognize it."
Realization struck Evelyn. She hadn’t known Nathaniel had covered her medical expenses.
Her fingers brushed lightly over her stomach, gratitude swelling in her chest. If Julian hadn’t appeared unexpectedly, hiding her pregnancy today would have been nearly impossible.
Had Nathaniel insisted she take the prescribed medication, she might have been forced to reveal the truth—for the sake of her unborn child.
Julian’s gaze dropped to her abdomen. "Evelyn, are you planning to keep the baby?"
Her hand stilled, resolve hardening in her voice. "Yes, Julian. I’ve made my decision. I’ll work tirelessly to provide for us."
"It’s not just about finances, Evelyn. Why would you want to keep the child of a man like that?"
"Because for the first time," she confessed softly, "I won’t be alone."
A sharp pang twisted Julian’s heart. He briefly shielded his face before regaining his composure. "If that’s truly what you want, then so be it."
"By the way, Julian, I haven’t told anyone about the pregnancy—not even Aunt Margaret. Will you keep this between us?"
"Of course. And for now, it’s best not to tell Alexander either. He’s usually understanding, but he can be impulsive. I don’t want him pressuring you into a hasty decision."
"Don’t take this the wrong way, but Alexander might have reservations about you becoming a single mother," Julian added carefully.
Evelyn nodded gratefully. "I understand. Thank you, Julian."
For her, this wasn’t just about single motherhood—it was about navigating the stigma of being an unwed mother.
The two roles were inextricably linked.
A yawn escaped her as drowsiness crept in. Her gaze flicked to Julian’s pocket. "Julian, I noticed your phone lighting up earlier. Did someone call you?"
Julian glanced briefly at the missed call from Victoria.
A shadow of remorse flickered in his eyes before he pocketed the device. "Nothing urgent. You should focus on resting and staying hydrated."
Taking his advice, Evelyn sipped some water before settling back.
Julian lingered nearby, his gaze drifting again to her stomach. A storm of emotions churned inside him.
God forbid he ever discovered the identity of the child’s father.
If the truth came out, the consequences would be catastrophic.
The mere thought ignited a seething rage within him.
As Isabelle approached the infusion room to speak to Julian, he stepped out, cutting her off. "What is it?"
"Dr. Montgomery, there’s someone here to see you. She claims to be your sister," Isabelle relayed.
A frown creased Julian’s brow. "I’m occupied right now. I don’t have time."
His distrust of the Whitmore family ran deep at the moment.
Just earlier, Nathaniel had gone out of his way to accompany Evelyn to the hospital.
Would a man of Nathaniel’s standing—the heir to a prestigious family—involve himself with a mere caregiver?
As a man, Julian recognized Nathaniel’s ulterior motives with perfect clarity.
Had it been anyone else, he might have overlooked it. But when it came to Evelyn, the stakes were entirely different.
How could someone like Nathaniel ever be suitable for his sister?
Yet just as Julian turned to leave, Victoria stepped out of the nearby elevator, locking eyes with him in a silent, unyielding stare.