Sharing a joy with the people you love doubles the happiness.

Evangeline felt her spirits lift as she watched her mother’s excitement. "Come on, come inside and sit down."

Marilyn carefully guided her, her eyes fixed on Evangeline’s feet, watching every step she took. "Evangeline, you really shouldn't be making such sudden movements like you did just now."

"I know, Mom. I was just so happy to see you."

Once they were settled on the sofa, Marilyn gently stroked Evangeline’s cheek, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "My little girl is going to be a mother herself."

"Mom! I’m going to follow your example and be just as gentle and loving a mother as you are."

"You and that sweet tongue of yours," Marilyn teased. "You always know how to win me over."

As the mother and daughter basked in the warmth of the moment, Marcellus stood off to the side, lost in a daze. Seeing Evangeline’s grace, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. She had such a kind soul; she would surely raise a child just as wonderful as she was. His anxiety finally evaporated.

It took a long moment before Marilyn noticed her son-in-law still hovering nearby. "Marcellus, take a seat! Why are you just standing there like a statue?"

Marcellus snapped out of his reverie and sat on the sofa beside Evangeline. "Mom, we’re planning to hold the wedding next month. It’s a very tight schedule and the specific date hasn't been set yet. I’m truly sorry it’s all coming together so abruptly."

Evangeline nudged his leg, chiming in to explain to her mother, "Mom, it’s my fault. Our studio is still in its early stages, and I wanted to make sure things were stable before we walked down the aisle. I didn’t expect the baby to arrive ahead of schedule, so we decided it was best to get things moving."

Her voice trailed off, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I’m sorry, Mom. Getting the marriage certificates, planning the wedding, and now this pregnancy—I didn't consult you on any of it. I was just being selfish, overestimating my own ability to handle everything. I thought I could juggle it all, but I ended up a bit of a mess."

Marilyn huffed, though her tone held no real bite. "You know you were! At least you’re clear-headed enough to admit it."

Evangeline immediately pulled out her best charm, swaying her mother’s arm. "Mom, I promise I’ll ask for your advice on everything from now on. Just let us have our way this once?"

"I’m a progressive woman—we were all young once. I understand. But your father? He’s not going to be as easy to win over."

"What’s this about me not being easy to win over?"

Before the words had even faded, Edward’s booming, cheerful voice echoed through the room. He strode in with a steady, commanding presence and took his seat at the head of the sofa. "Alright, tell me—what kind of trouble have you two gotten into that you’re worried I might give you a hard time?"

Evangeline scrambled over to the armrest of her father’s chair, playing the part of the devoted daughter as she began kneading his shoulders with a cheeky grin. "Dad, I have some great news. You’re going to be a grandfather!"

"What?!"

Edward’s voice was like a thunderclap. Evangeline shrank back, but before she could catch her breath, the storm broke again. "You’re pregnant before even holding the wedding? People are going to talk! They’ll say you were desperate, that you aren't being treated with the respect you deserve!"

His daughter had always been so sensible—how could she get tied up with this scoundrel and start doing such reckless things? The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew, shooting a sharp, icy glare at Marcellus.

"You! I want a grand wedding organized within the month. If you let my daughter be the subject of neighborhood gossip, I’ll tear your family’s entire empire to the ground!"

Evangeline’s eyes lit up, and she squeezed her father’s hand. "Dad, does that mean you approve?"

"What do you mean 'approve'?" Edward looked at her, completely bewildered by the sudden jump in logic.

Marilyn chuckled. "Marcellus just told me they were planning the wedding within the month. You two were on the same page after all."

Edward shot Marcellus another disgruntled look, emitting a sharp, skeptical snort. "Fine. At least you know how to do the right thing."

*Blegh!*

Marcellus suddenly clutched his chest, stood up abruptly, and dashed toward the hallway, retching. The room fell into stunned silence.

"What’s wrong with him? Does he have a problem with what I said?" Edward muttered, clearly confused.

Evangeline hurried over, grabbing a glass of warm water for him. "Are you alright?"

Marcellus shook his head, looking pale and miserable. "I’m fine. I think I caught a chill from my cold shower this morning."

Evangeline’s face flushed a deep crimson at the mention of the shower. She didn't dare ask another question, simply shoving the glass into his hand and retreating to her seat.

"Is he going to be okay?" Edward asked, his tone softening. He was still trying to maintain his tough-guy facade, but he couldn't help the flicker of genuine concern.

"He just caught a bug. A bit of medicine and he’ll be fine," Evangeline replied.

"Hmph."

The sudden interruption successfully diverted the tension, and no one mentioned it again. At lunch, Marcellus stared at the feast spread across the table, his stomach churning. He could barely manage a few bites.

"I’m sorry, I’m really not feeling well. I’m going to go rest in Evangeline’s room for a bit."

"Go, go," Marilyn urged, noticing his sickly pallor. She quickly found some antacids and handed them to Evangeline to take up to him.

When Evangeline entered the room, she found him propped against the headboard, his brows knit together in obvious discomfort. "Should I have Damian Spencer come take a look at you?"

He gave a weak shake of his head. "No. What do you have there?"

"Just some stomach medicine Mom found."

"That’ll do." He took the glass from her, downed the pills in one go, and slid under the covers.

Evangeline tucked the blanket around him gently. "Get some sleep."

"Mhm."

While he rested, Evangeline stayed downstairs to chat with her mother. They moved from celebrity scandals to high-society gossip with ease.

"Evangeline, did you hear? Cassidy has already been moved to the Harrison estate."

"Is that so? Well, their drama is going to last a lifetime, isn't it?"

Marilyn wore a look of disdain as she continued, "Jonah absolutely refused to help raise the baby, but his mother insisted on keeping it."

That actually surprised Evangeline. "He didn't want it? That’s his own flesh and blood."

"Who knows what’s going through his head? The baby is being kept hidden away by the Harrisons. They didn't even hold a celebration for the baby’s first hundred days."

Evangeline looked at her mother, perplexed. "How do you even know that?"

"Your aunt told me when we were chatting. I even sent a gift for the hundred-day mark. Even if that girl is a thankless brat, it’s still a Harrison descendant." Marilyn sighed, looking troubled. "The baby is cute as a button, but it’s a shame—that child is destined for an unlucky life."

Evangeline placed a hand on her own abdomen, her heart heavy with complex emotions. "The sins of the parents... but it really isn't fair to the child."

"Jonah actually named the baby..." Marilyn stopped mid-sentence, her lips pressing together.

Evangeline waited for her to finish, but the older woman remained silent. "What name did he choose?"

"Oh, look at me! My mind is going—the name completely slipped my memory."

"It’s fine, Mom. It’s not like it has anything to do with us anyway."

Marilyn gave an awkward, forced laugh. "That’s right. Nothing to do with us."

Evangeline caught the sound of footsteps and glanced toward the stairs. "Marcellus, are you feeling any better?"

"Much better."

"Then we should head out."

Marcellus still had a mountain of work to get through. They bid farewell to Marilyn and headed back to Alexander Corp. On the drive home, Marcellus leaned back with his eyes closed, saying nothing, while Evangeline stared out the window, her mind drifting far away.