Mina froze at those words.

She remained silent for a long time.

So long that Evelyn thought she wouldn't speak again.

Mina finally forced a weak smile. "Grace, that's not a funny joke at all."

Evelyn was slightly taken aback. "I'm not joking…"

Before she could finish, Mina linked arms with her. "Don't you remember? You already told me about your background."

Evelyn stared blankly. "What background?"

Mina's eyes darted away. "About your biological parents… I asked if you wanted to find them. You said…"

She paused, lowering her voice. "You said you weren't abandoned. You had parents. They just didn't like you. They thought you were too slow. So they had your adoptive parents bring you to New York. Told you never to come back."

Evelyn's heart clenched.

Why would Grace make up such a lie?

William's final words echoed in her ears—her sister was taken by the Nan family.

The identities of those adoptive parents were also highly suspicious.

Everything seemed shrouded in mist.

"Grace, are you upset again?" Mina looked at her with concern.

Evelyn shook her head. "Maybe too much has happened lately. Some things are just blurry."

Mina immediately looked understanding. "It's okay. Don't you keep a diary? You write all the important things down."

Evelyn nodded.

She had indeed read Grace's diary.

But Mina continued. "But you have one locked diary. You never let me see it."

A locked diary?

Evelyn had never seen it.

She suppressed her questions and didn't press further.

The topic ended there.

Mina walked her and Chloe home as evening fell.

At the doorstep, Mina suddenly clutched her stomach. Her face turned pale.

Evelyn asked urgently, "What's wrong?"

Mina frowned. "Stomach cramps. My period might be starting. Can I use your bathroom?"

Evelyn nodded.

Mina hurried inside.

The nanny had dinner ready and was feeding Chloe.

Mina emerged from the bathroom looking even paler.

Evelyn steadied her. "Are you okay?"

Mina gave a pained smile. "My period is three days late. It just won't come. But the cramps are terrible."

Evelyn looked puzzled. "You're always so regular."

Mina nodded. "Yes. Always every 28 days. I don't know what's happening this time…"

Halfway through, she suddenly remembered something. Her face changed dramatically.

Evelyn understood immediately. "I'll get a pregnancy test."

Mina grabbed her hand nervously and nodded.

Half an hour later.

Two clear pink lines appeared.

They stared at each other in silence.

Evelyn looked at Mina. "You didn't tell me you were seeing someone."

Mina's face was ashen. "I'm not seeing anyone… This was an accident."

Evelyn was stunned. "What?"

Mina looked on the verge of tears. "Grace, what should I do?"

Evelyn was silent for a moment. "Who is the father?"

Mina bit her lip. Her cheeks flushed.

She didn't look scared. She looked shy.

Evelyn guessed instantly. "Marcus Valentine?"

Mina looked up, shocked. "How did you know?"

Evelyn sighed helplessly.

Mina's expression whenever Marcus was mentioned had long betrayed her feelings.

"What are you going to do? Tell Marcus? He's not married…"

"No." Mina's attitude was firm.

Marcus had a poor impression of her. She didn't want to trap him with a child.

She lowered her eyes. "I can't keep this baby."

Evelyn asked softly, "Are you sure?"

Mina nodded. "I'll make an appointment for the procedure tomorrow… Grace, please come with me. I'm scared. And I don't want my parents to know."

"…Okay."

Evelyn respected her choice.

That night, Mina stayed at the Nan house because she was afraid.

Evelyn put Chloe to sleep. She asked the nanny to stay with the child and returned to the master bedroom.

She remembered Mina's words from the day and began searching for Grace's possible hidden locked diary.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from the window.

Evelyn's eyes sharpened. She silently hid behind the curtains.

A dark figure nimbly climbed through the window.

The moment the person landed, Evelyn swiftly struck out and grabbed their wrist!

The intruder instinctively tried to counterattack but suddenly stopped.

Evelyn's internal alarms blared.

Was this someone sent to kill Grace? Or was it related to Grace's secrets?

She used a necktie to bind the person's hands, restraining them from behind. Then she moved to face them.

Moonlight illuminated the intruder's face.

Evelyn's pupils constricted violently.

Alexander Vance?!