Unmasking the Heiress

Evangeline's eyes were red-rimmed as she shook her head fiercely, refusing to accept it. "Grandpa is going to pull through. Dr. George said we have to believe," she pleaded, her voice breaking. She was holding onto Yale's hand as if her grip alone could keep her grandfather alive.

She knew how serious it was, that he might not make it through the night. However, she could not bear the thought of her uncles returning, as if their arrival would seal her grandfather's fate. Yale understood her all too well, his own heart aching with the same fear. His hand gently touched her forehead, stroking it softly. "What's on your mind? Your grandpa is really sick, and your uncle Holden and I are swamped. We thought it'd be best to call your other uncles to pitch in."

Evangeline knew it was a kind lie, but she could not bring herself to call it out.

The day the Foster brothers all came together was the same day Cole got moved out of the ICU to a regular room.

Evangeline was so happy that she could barely contain herself, dancing around with glee. If she had not been pregnant, she might have leaped with joy.

Cole lay on the blue hospital bed, looking frail and pale with a respirator in his nose, the gentle rise and fall of his chest the only sign he was still fighting.

When he saw everyone around him, his eyes moved from one Foster brother to the next, lighting up with a flush of excitement when they landed on Evangeline. She rushed to his side, careful not to hurt him, and gently touched his hand.Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

"Grandpa, I did get kidnapped, but I'm lucky, you know? I ran into an old friend who brought me back!"

Evangeline clung to a thread of hope. Maybe seeing her safe would strengthen her grandpa's will to live. Could getting Conrad back there make a difference? Cole's eyes dropped, and he gave a weak nod.

He barely had the strength to move his hand, but he tried to pull at his oxygen mask.

Evangeline understood and carefully helped him take it off.

"Evie..." His voice was raspy as if it had been scraped raw by the coarsest grit of sandpaper. "I'm on my way out."

He smiled a radiant glow of contentment on his face. "I just saw your grandmother. She gave me an earful for making her wait so long without coming to see her. It's time for us to be together again

Cole lifted his hand, and Evangeline clasped it within hers.

"Evie, your five uncles might still be bachelors, but they're men with their own talents, and that's why I'm not worried about them. What I can't stop worrying about... is you en

"You've had it tough, kiddo. Losing your mom so young, and just when you finally got to be with me, I still can't make up for the absence of your real parents.

"So, before I go, I need you to promise me one thing."

Evangeline nodded through her tears, her cheeks glistening. "Grandpa, just tell me. It doesn't matter if it's one thing or a hundred, I'll agree!"

Cole's hand wavered, and he weakly pointed a single finger.

"It's just one thing.

"I want you to be happy. It doesn't matter if it's with Walter or what you decide about the baby. As long as you're happy, I'll be smiling down from heaven."