Chapter 8 Matthew sat at the Roscente family's dining table , surrounded by cheerful chatter and laughter from both families . Lila sat beside him , cradling the baby , occasionally leaning in to whisper softly in his ear . But his attention never left the phone screen in his hand . His fingers scrolled absentmindedly , as if he were waiting for something . " Matthew , what are you looking at ? " Lila leaned closer suddenly , reaching for his phone . Her fingertip tapped the screen lightly , accidentally opening the " new post " screen on his social feed . Matthew frowned and quickly took the phone back . " Lila , don't mess with my things . " Her eyes turned slightly red , her voice trembling with grievance . " I just wanted to take a few more pictures for memories ... The doctor said I don't have much time left . I'm scared I won't have another chance ... " " I'm sorry , Matthew . Am I making things hard for you ? Evelyn hasn't been in a good mood lately . If she misunderstands , I'll explain everything . I just wanted to - because my time's running out ... " Matthew stared at her pitiful expression , feeling a sudden irritation rise in his chest . But he swallowed it back . " Don't talk like that , " he said flatly . " It's unlucky . Just eat . " W He glanced at his phone again and saw that Lila had already posted a photo from his account - a group shot of both families together , captioned with one word : [ Reunion . ] He pressed his lips together but didn't delete it . Instead , he slipped the phone into his pocket and stood up . " I'm done . I'll head out first . " Haley looked displeased . " It's still early . We finally got both families together and you're already rushing off ? " " I've got work , " Matthew answered casually , though his eyes drifted once again to the doorway , as if hoping someone would walk in . After leaving the estate , Matthew drove home alone . The night was heavy and still . Neon lights blurred outside the window , yet his mind grew clearer with each mile . All day , he'd had a strange feeling a hollowness in his chest , like something important was Chapter 8 2054-6.35 % missing . When he opened the front door , silence greeted him . He called out instinctively , " Evelyn ? " No answer . Matthew frowned and headed straight to the bedroom . The bed was perfectly made , not a wrinkle in sight . As his gaze swept across the room , he noticed the vanity was nearly bare . - The skincare bottles and perfume that once cluttered it were gone - all that remained was a single , neatly placed gift box . He froze , then pulled out his phone and saw a message Evelyn had sent him not long ago . He hurried over and picked up the box . His fingers tightened as he slowly unwrapped it moment the lid came off , his breath caught in his throat . Inside was a medical report . A diagnosis of azoospermia . His name was printed clearly at the top . " This can't be real ... " His face turned pale as he instinctively rejected the possibility . - and the Clutching the report in trembling hands , flashes of Evelyn's recent strange behavior ran through his mind , and an anger he couldn't control began to rise . " She's acting out again . " He stormed out of the bedroom and tore through the house . But Evelyn's clothes , documents , even her favorite photo album - they were they were all gone . His heart started pounding , a rising panic crawling up his spine . Where had Evelyn gone ?