Chapter 191

Madeline Kingsley stood frozen, her limbs stiff with uncertainty.

Ever since learning of Isabella Winslow's pregnancy, she had treated the woman like her own flesh and blood.

She'd wanted to give Isabella the entire world on a silver platter.

Looking back now, even she found her own behavior unbelievable.

"Alex..." Her voice trembled. "Will Evelyn... ever forgive me?"

Alexander Kingsley's lips curled into a cold smile. "Of course she will. The Sinclairs value loyalty above all else—as long as your remorse is genuine."

His tone turned icy. "Which is precisely why I won't let you see her."

The thought of Evelyn softening toward his grandmother made his chest constrict with pain.

If even he didn't deserve her forgiveness, why should anyone else receive it so easily?

"Alex, your grandmother truly regrets her actions," Eleanor Kingsley interjected, noting Madeline's red-rimmed eyes.

Alexander's gaze sharpened like a blade. "Apologies are meaningless without guarantees."

"What guarantees?" Patriarch Kingsley demanded.

"Regarding her precious favorite." Alexander's smile turned sardonic. "She needs to say it herself."

Madeline shuddered before finally lifting her head. "From now on, only Evelyn is our family's daughter-in-law. Only her children..."

Her voice faded to a whisper.

Only then did Alexander give a curt nod and enter the hospital room.

Evelyn Sinclair lay in bed, staring blankly out the window.

"Evelyn!" Eleanor rushed forward to clasp her hand. "Are you feeling better?"

Alexander silently claimed the other side of the bed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Evelyn's ear.

"Next time something happens, call me first," he murmured.

Patriarch Kingsley quickly added, "Or your grandfather!"

Mr. Kingsley adjusted his glasses. "I've already arranged for our lawyers."

All eyes turned to Madeline.

She wrung her hands. "Evelyn... This old woman was blind..."

Evelyn offered a polite smile. "Don't say that, Grandmother."

The distant warmth in that smile made Madeline's heart clench.

She suddenly remembered raising her hand to strike Evelyn on the staircase—the devastating disappointment in those eyes that had pierced her soul.

"Evelyn..." Tears streamed down Madeline's face. "I failed you..."

Alexander cut in sharply. "Evelyn needs rest."

He knew this foolish girl too well. She forgave too easily.

Just as she'd forgiven him.

But some wounds couldn't be healed with mere apologies.

"It's all my fault..." Madeline sobbed into Patriarch Kingsley's sleeve. "How could I have—"

BANG!

The door burst open.

"Evelyn Sinclair!" Mrs. Winslow stormed in like a hurricane. "You murderer!"

She skidded to a halt upon seeing the room full of Kingsleys.

"Madeline!" Mrs. Winslow wailed. "Isabella... She's lost the baby! And it's all her fault!"