Evelyn Clayton wasn’t particularly worried. She just felt uncomfortable. This uncomfortable feeling was very subtle, akin to the sensation of having someone precious taken away, like jealousy, but not quite as bitter. No, to be precise, the bitterness was deep down, not noticeable at first, but as each second passed, the sour feeling became increasingly evident. Evelyn Clayton sensed something was off. Had her possessiveness over Sharon grown to this extent? "What are you thinking about?" Beside her, Iris Lockwood nudged Evelyn Clayton’s shoulder. Seeing Evelyn Clayton’s dazed expression, Iris Lockwood sighed, seemingly teasing, "Now you know this feeling is unpleasant?" "I’m not," Evelyn Clayton instinctively retorted, "I was just spacing out." Iris Lockwood glanced at her with a smile, "Still pretending? Come on, I’ve experienced this feeling myself." Yara Reagan chuckled and asked back, "Iris, how exactly have you experienced it? You haven’t even dated much." "Hey, that’s a personal attack! Have you dated more than I have?" Iris Lockwood glared at her, "I meant that feeling of having something taken away!" Yara Reagan held back her laughter, "Then tell us, how have you experienced this?" Iris Lockwood looked at Evelyn Clayton with a half-smile, "I have to start from when my relationship with Evelyn wasn’t good. Hey, Evelyn, do you know why I used to bully you a lot when we were kids?" Evelyn Clayton raised an eyebrow at her, "Isn’t it because you had nothing better to do?" "No way!" Iris Lockwood puffed up with anger, "Don’t spread false rumors about me!" Evelyn Clayton couldn’t help but laugh, "Then what is it?" "It’s because I didn’t have a mom growing up." Iris Lockwood said earnestly, "When I first met Charlotte Sterling with Philip Lockwood, I actually liked her a lot. I thought it would be great if such a beautiful lady could be my mom." When Charlotte Sterling was mentioned, a faint light flickered in Evelyn Clayton’s eyes. After a moment, she asked with a smile, "And then?" "It was later that I found out Charlotte Sterling had another daughter, which was you. I felt like her kindness towards me was fake, all a show, probably just for my dad’s money. At that time I was a little twisted, whenever I saw her being good to you I felt upset, but seeing her treat you poorly also made me uncomfortable." "Because I knew that only her own daughter she would treat without any reservations, and her being nice and polite to me was just because she never saw me as her real daughter." At this point, Iris Lockwood seemed a bit embarrassed, "So back then I kept wondering why your life was better than mine. Looking back, I seemed kind of twisted, huh." Yara Reagan rolled her eyes, "It’s good you realize it. But what does this have to do with Evelyn’s feelings?" "Isn’t it the same with Evelyn and Sharon?" Iris Lockwood said with mock seriousness, "I know what Evelyn feels now, she’s trying to persuade herself, thinking that James Grant is Sharon’s father, and should have some alone time to talk with her, but still feels like Sharon is her property and is jealous of James Grant, right?" Iris Lockwood winked at Evelyn Clayton. Evelyn Clayton chuckled but her heart was already in agreement. That’s indeed how it is. "Sigh, I understand it well. Back then I felt Charlotte Sterling should have been my mom, not Evelyn’s mom, but the truth is that Evelyn was the one she gave birth to, which left me conflicted and torn." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelꜰire.net As Iris Lockwood spoke, she suddenly patted Evelyn Clayton’s shoulder gently. Evelyn Clayton looked at her and saw Iris Lockwood’s expression was more serious than ever. "The truth is, although Sharon is your child, you can’t treat her as your private property." Just as Iris Lockwood finished speaking, James Grant came out of the hospital room. Strangely, even though he seemed weary when he arrived, James Grant now looked refreshed and spirited. He even had a slight smile on his lips as he gazed at Evelyn Clayton. "Sharon wants you to come in too..." Evelyn Clayton subconsciously responded and hesitated as she slowly stood up. After a long moment, she made up her mind and walked into the ward with James Grant. Just moments ago, Iris Lockwood’s words still echoed in her mind as Evelyn Clayton looked at Sharon on the hospital bed, unable to describe her feelings. Sharon looked very obedient, softly calling Evelyn Clayton "mommy." Evelyn Clayton stepped forward to gently touch her little cheek, speaking softly, "What’s wrong, sweetheart?" "Nothing, just wanted to see..." Sharon’s hesitant expression made Evelyn Clayton pause in surprise. This kid has learned to be coy. Evelyn Clayton chuckled, about to ask Sharon more, when she saw Sharon turn toward James Grant. The child’s innocent eyes couldn’t hide anything, she earnestly said to James Grant, "I can call you dad, but I have to listen to mommy first." James Grant’s smile froze for a moment. That’s when Evelyn Clayton realized why Sharon had asked James Grant to come out and call her in. Seeing Evelyn Clayton not speaking for a moment, Sharon thought she was being refused, and once again sincerely looked at James Grant. "Uncle Grant, sorry, if mommy doesn’t let me call you dad, I’ll listen to her." A faint hurt appeared in James Grant’s eyes. At that moment, the indescribable bitterness in Evelyn Clayton’s heart also faded away. She knew she wouldn’t really control what Sharon called James Grant. After taking medicine for her head injury, Sharon quickly fell asleep. Seeing her deeply asleep, Evelyn Clayton and James Grant quietly left the hospital room. As she escorted James Grant downstairs, she heard him ask, "How’s everything with Sharon’s school?" "It’s almost all sorted out, it seems to have been an accident," Evelyn Clayton chose her words carefully, "Afterwards, I’m planning to transfer Sharon to another school." James Grant nodded understandingly, then looked hopeful at Evelyn Clayton, "Do you need any help with transferring schools?" "No need, this is just an idea for now; I’m not sure if I’ll go through with it." James Grant seemed to understand and nodded, then took out a business card and handed it to Evelyn Clayton. "This is the contact number of the principal of Genesis Academy, the best private elementary school in Aethelburg. If you need it, you can call him directly." Evelyn Clayton glanced down. "I’ve met the principal of Genesis Academy a few times, he’s a good person, and the school is also good. However, if I really decide to transfer there, I’ll contact him myself." With that, Evelyn Clayton politely sent James Grant out of the hospital building. James Grant was almost driven out with his tail between his legs. But he didn’t really mind. After all, he had seen the child, and everything had a good start. Watching James Grant blend into the crowd, Evelyn Clayton lingered in place for a long time before leaving. Back in the hospital room, Evelyn Clayton watched Sharon’s sleeping face, her expression serene. Some time later, Sharon suddenly rubbed her eyes and woke up. The little one, still sleepy-eyed, looked bewildered as she mumbled — Evelyn Clayton pressed her lips together, softly saying, "Yes, daddy left. He said he’d come see you another day when he’s free." "Yay, then next time... next time can I have dinner with daddy too?"