Alexis remained silent.
She rebuffed his assistance, opting to fasten the bathrobe belt on her own.
Unfazed by her aloofness, Leonel dressed in his lounge wear and exited the room.
Once he left, Alexis leaned against the washbasin, feeling her legs tremble with weakness.
Tonight, Leonel neglected to use contraception.
There was a possibility she might conceive, a deliberate act on his part.
She couldnât bear his child.
Leonel descended the stairs and instructed the servant to deliver food to Alexis.
Subsequently, he made his way to Evelynâs room upstairs.
In the soft-pink room, Evelyn had drifted off to sleep, tears staining her cheeks, nestled on the cherry-pink princess bed.
Upon noticing Leonelâs arrival, the servant promptly rose from her seat beside the bed, expressing concern.
âMr.
Douglas, Miss Evelyn was c
rying quite inconsolably.
â
Anxious, she added, âSheâs been holding onto one ear the entire time.
â
A sharp pang of pain pierced Leonelâs heart.
Concealing his emotions, he said lightly, âPlease step outside for a moment.
â
The servant promptly exited, thoughtfully shutting the bedroom door behind her.
Seating himself on the bedside, Leonel tenderly pulled the covers over Evelyn and caressed her cheek.
Despite her slumber, her face radiated warmth, her delicate hand still shielding one ear.
Leonel gently lowered her hand.
Evelyn stirred awake, blinking as she gazed at her father in a daze.
He appeared gentle, just as he always did, but Evelyn sensed a difference, though she couldnât quite place it.
Reflecting on the past, she recalled her fatherâs kindness toward her, Daniel, and their mother.
Back then, her mother always wore a smile.
However, her motherâs happiness had faded.
Blinking sleepily, Evelyn addressed her father in a gentle tone.
âDad, could you allow Mom to return? She probably misses Daniel and our grandparents.
Iâll stay with you.
Please, can you let Mom go?â
Leonel had a sudden, sharp pain in his heart.
He sidestepped the question, instead gently probing Evelynâs ear.
âDoes this spot hurt?â
Evelyn shook her head.
âNo, it doesnât hurt.
I just keep having bad dreams.
â
Tears welled in Evelynâs eyes as she recounted, âIn my dream, Mom held me close, pleading with that woman to release me.
Mom said sheâd stay in my place.
Dad, do you prefer that woman over Mom?â