ressed in elegant silk, presided at the heart of it all, their sharp eyes radiating energy that belied their age. A lavish birthday cake, frosted and bright, commanded attention fr

led through her, and her heel slipped on the step. She stumbled forwa

elding around her waist, catc

ow and sharp. "What are you trying to pul

ze, unable to muster a reply,

he scene outside. Ruby, watching from below, pursed her lips in visible annoyan

a dismissive shove. Shoulders squared, he strode the re

er the real story between Andreas and Evelina. If Evelina could turn back time, she would never

, desperate to shrink into the wallpaper and

her posture tense as she listened to

er Evelina's supposed pregnancy. Beneath his shock, however

r him to father a child. Ruby had spent years wringing her hands over the lack of grandchildr

ting-edge modern specialists-had examined him. Even his ex-girlfriend, Josie Lawrence, had take

that Andreas had left the country for love, another wh

unburdened freedom came at the pric

him, but that night, he'd been blindsided

y going on between you two? She went upstairs to change her clothes, and

withering glare.

, but his curiosity lingered. His gaze trailed over to Evelina,

, only to lock eyes with Erick, his invasive scrutiny making her stiffen. No matter ho

ter filled the room. With Harold at the center of attention, Eveli

in place. She glanced up to find Andreas watching silently, his expression

a taxi, her pulse refused to settle,

hed across the screen-relentless. She had refused each cal

ck to the Quinns' house this instant! Whose baby are you carrying? You've brought shame upon our family at Harold'

hurled the nastiest accusations before bothering to find out the tr

ing every word, but Evelina simply end

ter, a new message popped up. "If you want your crippled adopti

ustion washed over her, leaving her slumped against the seat, her gaze drifting to the blur of city lights outsi

optive mother, was killed on impact, while her adoptive father, Lambert Swain, was left paralyzed and helpless. With no o

bright-a youth singing competition had called her

with pride, vowing to be the

smile. "You have the sweetest voic

g. "That day, I'm closing up the fish stall early

er tinged with the scent of the sea. Even so, they somehow transformed a cramped, shabby apartment into a bright little have

heartbreakingly empty. As the cheers faded, her teacher, Della Buckley, rushed over, her face drained

h hands. Now, her world reeled. The golden award slipped from her grasp as she grabbed De

t the words. "Your mother... she didn't make it.

e, the world pitching sideways as nausea and disbelief slammed into her. Evelina collapsed, the ground tilting

s world fell into silence-her

grave, quietly explained that amputation was inevitable. If he hoped to recov

e Quinn family e

Evelina found herself swept aw

t would be sent to the city's best rehabilitation ce

rough the window, the Quinn family's opulent villa loomed, cold

e person she loved most

ed, Evelina had no