Exit the Catfights Enter the Empire novel Chapter 32

"I'm not coming home tonight," she said quietly.

His expression instantly darkened. "Not coming back? You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Trying to make Grandpa mad at me so he forces us to stay together?"

Evelyn's fingertips felt like ice. She curled them into her palms, forcing her tone to remain perfectly steady. "I'll talk to Karl. I won't put you in a difficult spot. Xavier, you should trust me on this... because you know I'd never want to make things hard for you."

"So, you're just going to keep throwing a tantrum tonight?"

"I told you, I need to stay at the hospital..."

Before she could finish, Xavier impatiently ended the call.

Evelyn stared at the disconnected screen for a long time before slowly slipping the phone back into her pocket.

He always assumed she had some hidden agenda.

And in a way, he was right. She did have an agenda. Just like right now—she hadn't wanted to ask him for money. She just wanted him by her side, holding her.

But sadly, that was asking for too much.

Evelyn huddled against herself, waiting in the sterile hallway for what felt like hours until the emergency room lights finally flicked off. Her spirits lifted slightly, and she rushed forward.

"Doctor, how is she?"

"Rhonda is out of danger, but she's extremely weak. She needs plenty of rest and absolutely no stress."

Evelyn nodded and followed the nurses as they wheeled her mother into a private room.

Rhonda was still unconscious. Evelyn got some warm water and gently wiped her mother's face and arms with a damp towel.

Her mother felt so frail. Her skin was loose, carrying the heavy marks of years of exhausting labor.

She was getting older. She was no longer the towering, unshakable figure from Evelyn's childhood who could shield her from any storm.

Aging and sickness—it was perhaps the only truly fair thing in this world.

That night, Evelyn didn't return to Abby's apartment. Instead, she curled up on the small cot beside the hospital bed.

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