Evelyn turned back to Oscar, her eyes steady.
"Investigate the real client first," she said. "Quietly. No traces back to us. Once we know who is pulling the strings, we decide the next step."
Oscar’s lips curved into a grin, equal parts admiration and excitement.
"Now that," he said, "is why you’re my favorite partner in crime."
Evelyn smirked. "Don’t let Axel hear you say that."
Oscar raised both hands. "My lips are sealed. I value my life."
And just like that, humor returned, but suddenly Oscar asked something she wanted to avoid.
"Eve, I’m sorry..." Oscar’s voice softened, losing its teasing edge. "I know you want to forget those painful memories about your accident. But have you thought about the possibility..." He paused, watching her with a careful look.
Evelyn’s playful smile slowly faded. The lightness in her eyes dimmed, giving way to a quiet intensity. She didn’t speak. She simply looked at Oscar, waiting for him to finish.
"Eve," Oscar continued, his voice cautious now, "...what if your accident wasn’t a simple accident?"
For a brief moment, shock flickered across her face. But Evelyn was practiced at hiding emotions. She quickly masked it with a faint smile.
"I thought so," she admitted calmly. "I even asked Axel about it. He said he would check. But I never heard anything from him after that. He is busy."
Oscar nodded slowly, though his suspicion didn’t fade. He could tell from her eyes that she was more unsettled than she wanted to admit.
Just as he was about to change the subject, Evelyn spoke again.
"Can you investigate it?"
Oscar blinked. Then his lips curled into a grin far too eager for such a serious topic.
"Of course I can. I’ve been itching to do that since the moment I heard you flew off a cliff. I mean—" He stopped himself. "That sounded insensitive."
Evelyn chuckled, "A little."
"But honest," he added proudly.
She shook her head, amused despite the heaviness in her chest. "Just be careful. Don’t draw attention from anyone who might be sealing the news about my accident."
Oscar leaned closer, lowering his voice, "You mean your hubby?"
Evelyn couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped her. "You didn’t have to say it out loud, bro."
He leaned against the sofa and crossed his hands over his chest. "I live for stating the obvious."
"Try living longer instead," she shot back.
"I’ll try, but no promises if your husband finds out I’m poking around his territory."
Their laughter softened the tension, but the unspoken truth remained between them. Someone might have tried to kill Evelyn. And that thought sat heavily in both their minds.
Oscar cleared his throat, "No worry, Eve... I’ll be discreet. No trace, no noise, no drama. If someone really tries to kill you, I will find them. There will be no place to hide for them."
Evelyn’s expression gentled. "Thank you."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then—
"Uncle Oscar...?"
A loud, excited voice echoed from the doorway.
Oscar and Evelyn turned just in time to see Oliver sprinting toward them with a beaming smile.
Behind him, Laura chased after the four-year-old, clearly regretting every life choice that led her to cardio duty.
"Young master, please slow down!" Laura called, nearly breathless.
Oliver ignored her entirely. He launched himself at Oscar with surprising force for someone so small.
Oscar caught him reflexively, "Whoa! Little missile detected!"
Oliver giggled loudly, hugging Oscar’s neck. "Uncle Oscar! Jimmy said you came from far away."
"Yes, I crossed oceans and time zones just to see your handsome face."
"Hi. You finally came," Evelyn said softly.
"Of course I came. Did you think I’d stay home doing nothing while my favorite sister is broken like fine china?"
"I’m not a fragile China," Evelyn protested lightly. "More like... tough and expensive glassware."
"What? That’s worse," Stella replied seriously. "Glassware is fragile and replaceable."
Evelyn laughed. "Are you calling me replaceable?"
"No," Stella said, then hugged her carefully. "I’m saying you’re expensive."
Behind them, a graceful woman stood with a gentle smile.
"Hi, Alice," Evelyn greeted.
Alicia, her stepmother, stepped forward and kissed her forehead. "My poor dear. You’ve been through too much."
Soon they were all seated on the sofa, warm tea resting on the low table between them. The nurse slipped away quietly, leaving the family to themselves.
As expected, Stella and Alicia immediately began questioning her condition.
"Can you walk longer today?" Stella asked.
"Any pain?" Alice added.
"Do the bandages itch?" Stella chimed in again.
Evelyn held up a hand. "Dr. Stella, please, one question at a time. I’m healing. Slowly. Painfully. And yes, everything itches. Especially when I try not to scratch."
Alicia chuckled. "Oh dear, that means you’re recovering."
Stella narrowed her eyes. "Or turning into a lizard."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Wonderful. I survived a car crash only to evolve into a reptile."
Their laughter filled the room, light and familiar.

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