Chapter 277

Julian Roscente stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the swaying tree branches outside.

"Don't wear a dress tonight," he said to Evelyn Roland on the phone. "The wind's too strong."

Evelyn remained silent for a moment.

"Thanks for the warning." Her voice was icy.

Julian chuckled softly. "Evelyn, aren't we friends? No need to be so formal."

"We're not close." Evelyn hung up decisively.

Julian stared at the darkened screen, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

First impressions mattered too much.

In Evelyn's eyes, he would always be that irresponsible playboy.

Changing her opinion now would require life-and-death circumstances.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

He shouldn't have said those stupid things in front of her before.

Now she saw him as nothing but a complete jerk.

Julian sighed, grabbed his coat, and headed out.

...

Eleanor Langley stumbled into her home.

Isabella Langley was in the living room, arranging manpower against Julian.

"Mom?" She noticed her mother's pale complexion. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Eleanor avoided her daughter's concerned gaze.

This wasn't her biological child.

The girl she'd poured half her life into raising belonged to someone else.

Where was her real daughter now?

"Just a slight cold." Eleanor forced a smile. "I'm going to rest."

She couldn't bear to look at Isabella.

Every glance reminded her that her true daughter might be suffering somewhere.

"Let me get you some water." Isabella stood up.

"No need." Eleanor hurried upstairs.

She wanted nothing more than to be alone.

Isabella frowned at her mother's retreating figure.

Her mother was acting strangely today.

"Mom, should we go to the hospital?"

Eleanor froze mid-step.

That word "Mom" stabbed through her heart like a knife.

"I'll be fine after some sleep." She shut the bedroom door without looking back.

Collapsing onto the bed, the tears finally came.

What had really happened all those years ago?

Was her real daughter safe? Was she happy?

Eleanor curled up on the bed and wept like a child.