The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 5

When Evelyn finally woke up, it was broad daylight.

She instinctively reached for her phone. The screen read 10:17 AM. She shot up in bed, a sharp throb echoing in her temples—the aftermath of pulling an all-nighter. It had been a long time since she had stayed up that late.

By the time she handled the lab's emergency, it was already 4:00 AM. She had crashed the second her head hit the pillow, completely oblivious to the morning.

Walking over to the mirror, she saw that her eyes were bloodshot, faint dark circles bruising the skin beneath them. She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face repeatedly until a bit of color returned to her cheeks, making her feel marginally more awake.

Her stomach felt completely hollow.

She changed into a simple loungewear set—a cream cardigan over light gray trousers—and tied her hair into a loose, low bun, exposing her slender neck. As she walked downstairs, she debated what to eat for breakfast. There should be some bread and milk left in the fridge; a quick heat-up would do.

But just as she reached the landing of the stairs, the voices echoing from the living room made her freeze.

It was the crisp, innocent laughter of a child.

Followed by Lyra's gentle murmur, "Leo, eat your food properly. Don't play around."

And then... Christian's voice. It carried a warmth she had never heard before. "Let him take his time. There's no rush."

Evelyn's fingers subconsciously tightened around the banister. She stood there, peering through the railing.

In the dining room, the morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm golden glow over the long table. Lyra, wearing a light blue knit dress with her long hair draped loosely over her shoulders, was gently wiping the three-year-old boy's mouth.

And Christian sat right beside the child, holding a small spoon, patiently feeding him his oatmeal.

He was wearing a dark gray lounge set, his hair slightly messy, as if he had just gotten out of bed. The sharp lines of his profile were softened by the morning light, and there was even the faintest trace of a smile at the corner of his eyes.

It was an expression Evelyn had never seen before.

In her memories, Christian was always impeccably dressed in a suit, his brow slightly furrowed, his gaze aloof and detached. Even at home, he always kept his guard up, like an iceberg that would never melt.

But now, he sat there, feeding a child, looking as devoted as if it were the most important task in the world.

"Christian, don't spoil him too much," Lyra said softly, her tone laced with a mix of gentle reproach and deep affection. "Let him eat by himself."

"It's fine." Christian scooped up another spoonful and brought it to the boy's mouth. "Leo had a scare yesterday. He needs a little extra care today."

The little boy obediently opened his mouth, then mumbled in a sweet, childish voice, "Christian is the best."

Christian chuckled and reached out to ruffle the boy's hair.

In that split second, Evelyn felt as if a suffocating hand had viciously squeezed her heart, the ache so intense she could barely breathe.

She stood on the staircase like an intruder who had accidentally stumbled into someone else's family.

Just then, Lyra looked up and spotted her.

Their eyes met.

The gentle smile on Lyra's face froze for a fraction of a second before she rapidly adjusted, standing up gracefully. "Ms. Sullivan... you're awake."

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