The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 504

Paris, Sacred Heart Women's Hospital.

The afternoon sun poured through the glass facade, illuminating the ground floor lobby. Evelyn Sullivan stepped out of the car wearing a light gray trench coat, her hair pulled back into a low ponytail, her face free of makeup. She looked up at the white building, recalling the last time she had come here when Charles had accompanied her for a prenatal checkup. That day, she had bumped into Christian Lancaster in the hallway, holding flowers, his face as pale as a sheet of paper. Today, there was no Charles and no Christian, only her and Lyra Langford.

Sebastian Thorne got out of the driver's seat and walked up beside her. "Want me to come up with you?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Wait in the car. If she sees you, she'll only be more uncooperative."

Sebastian frowned slightly. "Call me if you need anything."

Evelyn nodded and turned to walk through the hospital entrance. The lobby was relatively empty, the air carrying a faint antiseptic scent. She walked up to the reception desk, gave Lyra's name, and the nurse directed her to the ultrasound room on the third floor. She stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut as the numbers ticked upward. When she reached the third floor, the hallway was quiet, save for the occasional nurse pushing a medical cart. The door to the ultrasound room was open, and Lyra was already inside.

She sat on a chair next to the examination bed, wearing a black dress with a bright brooch pinned to her collar. Her hair fell in cascading waves over her shoulders. Her makeup was immaculate—flawless foundation, a slight wing to her eyeliner, and a bold, fiery red lipstick. If it weren't for the setting, she looked like she was heading to a high-society gala. She appeared ostentatious and sharp, like a hedgehog with its quills fully raised. But the way her knuckles had turned white from tightly gripping the registration slip betrayed her inner anxiety.

Seeing Evelyn walk in, the corner of her lips twitched upward into a deliberate, arrogant smirk. "You came? I thought you wouldn't show."

Evelyn set her bag down on a nearby cabinet, ignoring the remark.

Lyra looked her up and down, her gaze sweeping from the gray trench coat to Evelyn's slightly bulging stomach, her smirk deepening with a hint of indescribable bitterness. "You're showing. Whose is it? Sebastian's?"

Evelyn met her gaze. "Is that any of your business?"

Lyra let out a short laugh, laced with deliberate contempt. "None at all. I was just curious what kind of child a woman like you would bring into the world."

Evelyn ignored her. She walked over to the window and looked out at the parking lot. Sebastian's car was still there; he was sitting in the driver's seat, head bowed as he looked at his phone. She watched for a couple of seconds before pulling her gaze away.

The door opened, and a female doctor in her fifties walked in wearing gold-rimmed glasses, holding a report. Dr. Janet Adler paused when she saw Evelyn, then smiled. "Dr. Sullivan? What brings you here?"