Chapter 7 A Broken Heart
That afternoon, David Benjamin arrived early and waited downstairs at Starburst Media for Evelyn Ross.
Unfortunately, Evelyn had gone out for an interview that day and didn’t return to the office afterward. Instead, she took the subway straight home. As she approached the entrance to her apartment complex, she spotted a familiar figure standing by the roadside—Liam Hayes, wearing a light gray casual suit, leaning against a black Bentley. His striking appearance drew frequent glances from passersby, and he seemed to be waiting for someone.
Evelyn turned to walk back, but Liam’s voice called out from behind her: "Evelyn."
Her heart sank. She hadn’t worn her usual dramatic makeup that day, so there was no avoiding him now. She decided to stop evading—whatever Liam wanted, she would make things clear once and for all this time.
She turned around and stared coldly at the man approaching her. "Mr. Hayes, is there something you need?"
Despite her frosty tone, she hadn’t denied her identity. Liam’s heart leaped—this only confirmed that the girl named Skylar Hall was indeed his Evelyn.
"I thought it was you at the awards ceremony," he said, opening his arms as if to embrace her. "Evelyn, you’re really alive."
Evelyn frowned and took a step back. Liam’s expression stiffened slightly, and he let his hands fall. He knew he’d been the one to abandon her years ago; it was only natural she wouldn’t accept him now. From the investigation reports, he knew she’d been living under the name Skylar Hall for three years, struggling through a hard life yet never once seeking him out. She must hate him deeply. He understood that to make amends and win her back, he couldn’t rush things.
"I can understand what happened between you and that man back then..." He swallowed the conflict and pain in his eyes, trying to speak calmly. "But about what happened between me and Clara Sinclair—"
"Save it. I don’t want to hear about the past. Please move," Evelyn interrupted coldly, trying to brush past him.
Liam grabbed her wrist. "There’s something else. Grandfather’s condition is critical. The doctors say he might only have a day or two left..."
Evelyn’s chest tightened. "What’s wrong with Grandfather? He’s always been so healthy."
"They found it too late—stage four stomach cancer."
Evelyn's heart sank hard and tears instantly filled her eyes. The only person in the world who had ever truly loved her was her grandfather, Edward Sinclair. For the past three years, she had drifted alone, forgetting the past, but always worrying about him. Now, hearing that he was terminally ill, a wave of grief and guilt flooded through her. She felt her heart race, her body lose its balance, and she stumbled forward.
Liam quickly steadied her by the shoulders, gazing at her with concern. "Evelyn, are you alright?"
"Take me to see Grandfather. Now," she whispered, lifting tearful eyes to clutch his shirt.
"Okay." Liam scooped her up in his arms. Looking at her pale face, he felt a dull ache in his chest, as if she were clutching not just his shirt but his heart. How had she survived these three years alone? No matter what, he wouldn’t let her suffer anymore. They could sort out the past after visiting her grandfather.
He carefully settled her in the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt himself before driving toward the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, this entire scene was watched from across the street—Clara Sinclair had been standing there for ages. As she watched Liam carry Evelyn away, she removed her sunglasses, her eyes blazing with hatred.
Earlier that afternoon, Liam had been distracted while they were together, then left the office abruptly on "business." Clara had sensed something was off and followed him—right to this woman. So Evelyn Ross was really alive, and Liam hadn’t forgotten her at all.
Thinking back on the past three years by Liam’s side, Clara had been nothing but attentive, yet he’d never truly accepted her. He’d even kept the necklace Evelyn had returned to him all those years ago! Liam, do you really want to pick up where you left off with her? she seethed. Then I’ll destroy her for good. Let her disappear forever.
When they arrived at the hospital, Liam accompanied Evelyn to Edward Sinclair’s hospital room and let her go in alone. As she approached the bed, her heart ached anew at the sight of the gaunt man wearing an oxygen mask. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been full of vitality. How had he withered away like this in just a few years? His sparse white hair looked unwashed and unkempt—did none of his children bother to care for him?
Fighting back sobs, Evelyn knelt by the bed. "Grandfather... it’s me, Evelyn. I’ve come to see you."
The old man’s eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes, their cloudy depths filled with tenderness. Tears spilled down Evelyn’s cheeks.
Edward lifted a frail, bony hand to remove his oxygen mask. "Evelyn... is it really you?"
"Yes, Grandfather. I’m here."
"Thank goodness..." He wiped her tears gently. "I can die in peace now that I’ve seen you one last time."
"You’ll get better, Grandfather..." Evelyn choked out, clutching his hand.
"Don’t cry, my dear." He gasped for breath before continuing, "I have something to tell you. Listen carefully."
Evelyn leaned closer so he wouldn’t have to strain his voice.
"All my assets—my companies, the $80 million ancestral mansion and its collections, your grandmother’s jewelry, stocks, cars, cash—everything is yours..."
Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock. "Grandfather, why—"
"With this money, you can protect yourself." He swallowed hard. "Be careful of your uncle... They’ve been—"
"Grandfather, what are you saying?"
But Edward’s eyes suddenly widened, his body going rigid. The monitor beside him blared an alarm. Nurses and doctors rushed in, and Liam pulled Evelyn into the hallway. The world around her seemed to mute.
Half an hour later, the doctor regretfully announced Edward’s death. Evelyn stared blankly at the hospital room door, feeling numb. Memories flooded back: at five years old, standing on a chair as Grandfather taught her calligraphy; at ten, after her parents’ death, his trembling hands wiping her tears as he vowed, "Evelyn, you’re not alone. You have me..."
No, this can’t be happening. A agonizing pain ripped through her chest, radiating through her body. Evelyn felt the world go dark as she lost consciousness.
When she woke again, she was in a hospital room. The memories came crashing back, and she bolted upright—surely it had all been a nightmare. Grandfather must be alive! She had to see him.
But as she tried to get up, her uncle Hogan Sinclair (Clara’s father) pushed her back down. "Evelyn, where do you think you’re going?"
"I need to see Grandfather!"
"Not yet." Hogan tossed a document onto the bed. "Sign this first, and then you can see him."