Evelyn stood at the hospital entrance, taking a deep breath.
She didn’t want to lose this baby. But even if it broke her heart, she had to face the truth.
She’d fought too hard to escape that life of control–she couldn’t go back.
Vincent gently patted her shoulder, his voice calm and steady. “Are you sure? Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. If you want to keep the baby, I’ll help you raise it.”
Evelyn scowled and punched him lightly in the chest. “What are you talking about? That’s not
something you just offer. Raising someone else’s child? What are you thinking?”
But Vincent only smiled, quiet and warm. “It’s not someone else’s child. It’d be for you.”
“I don’t want you to feel pressured–not because of me. I don’t want you giving this up just to spare my feelings.”
Evelyn blinked at him. Since when did she say she was considering him?
Her lips curled in a slight pout as she looked up and gave him a pointed glare. “Who said I was thinking about you? Don’t flatter yourself, Vincent.”
A beat later, he sobered. “Sorry. I overstepped.”
Her brief irritation turned to visible frustration. Her pride–her little flicker of girlish softness-
had just been smacked by his straight–laced honesty.
Fine. One step at a time.
She shook her head, brushing away the senseless frustration. Then she turned toward the entrance.
“Let’s go. I’ve made my decision. I’m ready to take responsibility for my life.”
The procedure was simple. She was young, and under her new identity, she wasn’t married.
The nurses gave Vincent more than a few dirty looks.
But he didn’t care. He stayed by Evelyn’s side, memorized every instruction from the doctor, filled prescriptions, and ran back and forth to handle the paperwork.
Evelyn had never known what it was like to have someone quietly take care of everything. He wasn’t trying to impress her. He didn’t want anything in return.
He was just there. For her. And only her.
Chapter 23
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Just before the procedure, he stood in front of her his broad figure blocking most of the sunlight.
He bent down and gently wrapped her in a hug, his voice like a low murmur against her ear.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here.”
For a moment, Evelyn remembered her mother–how she used to hold her when they had nothing, when they were sleeping on benches or running from landlords. Her mother would always whisper
the same words.
She hadn’t felt that kind of safety in years.
Not with Callum. His love had been about control–possessive, entitled. Even his comfort came with sharp edges and expectations.
But Vincent… Vincent was different.
He cared.
He saw her.
He understood what she’d been through and never once tried to fix her–just stood beside her, protecting the life she wanted.
Evelyn rubbed at her eyes.
Vincent stood frozen, frustrated with himself for not knowing what else to say.
He clenched his fists, clearly wanting to do more.
Evelyn caught his expression and smiled. “It’s okay. You being here is enough.”
Then she turned and walked into the operating room.
The doors had barely closed when a shadow lunged at Vincent from the hallway.
Chapter 23
