Chapter 598

Rosalind's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as they traced paths down her pale cheeks. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead gently against Margaret's trembling fingers.

"Mrs. Sinclair," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Meeting you, Lillian, and Everett has been the greatest blessing of my life."

Margaret's clouded eyes softened. "My son... I haven't seen Everett in so long."

A sudden coughing fit wracked Margaret's frail body, ending with crimson droplets staining her hospital gown.

"Mrs. Sinclair!"

"Mother!"

Rosalind and Lillian rushed to her bedside simultaneously.

"I'll fetch the doctor immediately!" Rosalind declared, already turning toward the door.

Margaret's surprisingly strong grip stopped her. "No, child. I know my time has come. This is the end for me."

Lillian collapsed against the bed, her sobs shaking the thin hospital sheets. "Please don't say that!"

Rosalind blinked through her tears. "Should we... should we bring Everett to see you?"

Margaret managed a weak nod. "Yes."

Without hesitation, Rosalind sprang into action. "I'll find him right now. Just hold on, Mrs. Sinclair. I promise I'll bring him back!"

She raced through the hospital corridors, fumbling for her phone. Everett's line went straight to voicemail - his device was powered off.

Where could he possibly be?

Her fingers flew across the screen to call Alistair. "Father, can you locate Everett? It's a matter of life and death!"

Alistair's response came swift and efficient. "Give me sixty seconds."

The reply arrived sooner than expected. "He's at The Grand Celeste's shopping arcade. With a woman."

That could only mean one person - Genevieve.

Everett was with Genevieve now?

Rosalind didn't pause to think. She hailed the first available taxi to the luxury hotel.

At the boutique, Everett stood stiffly near the dressing rooms while Genevieve paraded before mirrors with a sales assistant. An inexplicable dread had settled in his chest, making his palms clammy.

He reached for his phone instinctively.

Genevieve materialized beside him instantly. "Put that away! We had an agreement - your undivided attention for these three days. No distractions."

She'd made him power off his device, ensuring complete focus on her demands. With the important meeting looming, Everett had little choice but to comply.

He forced a placating smile. "Of course, darling."

The assistant returned holding an emerald gown. "This would look divine on you, Miss Blackwood. Shall we?"

Genevieve tossed Everett a warning glance. "Don't move from this spot."

As she disappeared behind the curtain, a familiar voice cut through the perfumed air. "Everett."

He turned to see Rosalind - disheveled and breathless - sprinting toward him.

Everett's entire body tensed as he glanced at the closed fitting room, then moved swiftly to intercept Rosalind. "What's wrong?"

She seized his wrist with surprising strength. "Come with me! Now!"

"Where—"

"It's your mother."

Everett's world tilted. He stared at Rosalind, the blood draining from his face. Then without another word, they were running.

The hospital blurred past them. Madeline's tear-streaked face greeted them at the door. "Everett! You're here!"

He fell to his knees beside the bed where Margaret lay fading. "Mother!"

Margaret's frail hand lifted weakly. Everett caught it between both of his, his voice breaking. "You were fine yesterday. What happened?"

A ghost of a smile touched Margaret's lips. "My dear boy... I'm going to see your father again."