So Similar

Evelyn Ross stood still.

Her hands were clenched into tight fists.

Moonlight fell on her cold, composed face.

Her voice was like ice. "Don't."

Alexander Vance was silent for a moment.

He spoke. "Even if he isn't your father, Sophia Ashcroft could still be your—"

"Stop." Evelyn cut him off.

The word "mother" could not be spoken.

It would tarnish Sophia's virtue.

She lowered her eyes. "William Ashcroft is biased against me, but he has always been devoted to his wife."

"With a husband like that, how could Sophia ever be unfaithful?"

"We cannot insult her like this."

Alexander's jaw tightened.

He wanted to argue, but said nothing.

A self-mocking smile touched Evelyn's lips. "I thought being a love child was shameful enough."

"I never imagined it could get worse."

Alexander wanted to comfort her.

Evelyn waved a hand. "I need to be alone."

"...Alright."

He took a step back.

Giving her space.

…

Linda Lowell approached the hospital room nervously.

She heard voices inside.

Sophia and William were discussing Evelyn.

Sophia's voice was gentle. "You and Evelyn are still connected as father and daughter."

"She was very worried about you earlier."

"Please be kinder to her from now on."

William's bleeding had stopped. His condition was stable.

He sighed. "You should be kinder to Isabella…"

Sophia lowered her voice. "William, please don't…"

"You know I was already pregnant when I married you."

"All these years, I couldn't give you a child of your own."

"Evelyn is your daughter—"

"Don't say that." William chuckled softly.

"I said on our wedding day that your daughter would be mine."

"Sophia, I've kept that promise all these years."

Sophia's eyes grew moist. "You have…"

"But it's so unfair to Evelyn."

"And to you."

"You gave up the luxury of New York to live with me in San Francisco."

"I'm already content."

"Nothing is unfair."

William's tone was warm.

"Besides, you've been so good to Evelyn all these years to make up for it, haven't you?"

"Sophia, she is the result of Linda's scheme against me."

"I never considered her my daughter."

"You really don't need to do this."

Sophia seemed lost in thought.

Perhaps she had initially been kind to Evelyn out of guilt.

But later… she genuinely grew to love this daughter.

Outside the door, Linda's face twisted with rage.

It was true she had used drugs to seduce William all those years ago.

Even after the amniocentesis confirmed he was the father, William refused to marry her.

It was Sophia who brought her into the Ashcroft family.

Sophia appeared virtuous, but she only accepted them out of guilt!

She took all the benefits and the good reputation!

Fortunately…

Remembering how she had viciously cursed at Evelyn earlier, and Evelyn's stunned expression, Linda felt a perverse thrill.

She would not let Evelyn off.

She would make Evelyn suffer forever over her origins.

She would not let Sophia off either.

She would ensure this mother and daughter never recognized each other!

A crazed smile spread across Linda's face.

…

Evelyn didn't know how long she had been standing there.

She stood in the shadows of the hospital steps.

The lights didn't reach this corner.

People came and went before her.

Their expressions vivid with joy or sorrow.

Her heart remained sunk in gloom.

After some time, warmth suddenly spread across her shoulders.

Evelyn turned her head. Alexander had draped his suit jacket over her.

The warmth shielded her from the world's coldness.

"Actually…"

Alexander hesitated for a long time before speaking.

But he didn't know how to comfort her.

Evelyn said softly, "I'm fine. Don't worry."

Alexander was slightly taken aback.

The girl slowly raised her head, stepping from the shadows into the light.

The despondency around her gradually faded.

Admiration flickered in Alexander's eyes.

He had been initially drawn to Evelyn because of this resilience.

No matter the blow, she always found a way to rise again.

She was no delicate, clinging vine.

Her slender frame held immense strength.

It made her strikingly beautiful face seem unattainable and dazzling.

The corner of Alexander's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

He changed the subject. "Miss Ross, what do you think the secret Leo and Liam mentioned was?"

"No rush." Evelyn tilted her head, a bold smile on her lips. "Liam will talk."

Alexander played along. "I'm all ears."

"You don't know Isabella well enough." Evelyn's tone was calm.

"After this incident, she won't let any risk threaten her future."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Just wait and see." Evelyn was cryptic. "At most two weeks."

"Isabella will bring about her own downfall."

Alexander nodded. "I'll await the good news."

They fell into a comfortable silence.

Perhaps for the first time, Evelyn didn't feel alone deep in the night.

On this path of life, it seemed she wouldn't have to walk alone forever…

Not far away.

Mr. and Mrs. Roland were taking a stroll after Chloe had fallen asleep.

They happened to walk near the ER entrance.

As they were about to leave, Mrs. Roland suddenly glanced toward Evelyn. "Huh?"

Mr. Roland followed her gaze.

The night was hazy.

Evelyn stood under a streetlamp.

The dim yellow light outlined her profile.

Softening her sharp features.

Her gaze as she looked at Alexander was gentle yet determined.

Her long neck, her independent aura.

She exuded a unique charm.

This image made Mr. Roland freeze abruptly.

He remembered the first time he saw Lady Nan over twenty years ago.

It was also an evening like this.

Lady Nan stood apart from the world.

A woman in her forties gazing at the sky.

The two figures gradually overlapped in his mind…

The memory of Lady Nan's face became clearer!

Mr. Roland took two excited steps forward.

He called out instinctively, "Lady Nan!"

Evelyn started slightly at the address.