Chapter 473

The door swung open as Amelia and Gabrielle stepped in, arms laden with shopping bags, their laughter filling the air.

"Amelia, that dress you picked is absolutely stunning! I'm wearing it to Aunt Beatrice's party tomorrow!"

"Mmm, I knew it would suit you perfectly. You'll be the center of attention!"

"Waaah!" The moment Ethan spotted his mother, his cries escalated. He stumbled forward in his haste, tripping over his own feet before collapsing into a fresh wave of tears.

Amelia froze, then rushed to scoop him up. "Ethan, sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Ethan clung to her neck, burying his face against her shoulder, his tiny body shaking with sobs.

"Ethan, talk to Mommy. Are you hurt? Does something hurt?"

But a child his age couldn't articulate his pain—only cry.

Alarmed, Amelia checked him over. When she rolled up his sleeves, her breath caught. His arms were mottled with angry bruises.

Her heart shattered. Tears sprang to her eyes. "H-how did this happen?"

Ethan only cried harder, his whimpers pitiful.

Gabrielle gasped, her expression darkening as she whirled toward the only other person in the room.

"It was you, Evelyn! You hurt him while we were gone!"

"I didn't touch him." Evelyn frowned. Why would a child—Nathaniel and Amelia's beloved son—be covered in bruises? Who would dare harm him?

Gabrielle scoffed. "Oh, please! Who else could it be? You were alone with him!"

Evelyn remained composed. "Accusations require proof, Miss Winslow."

"Proof? The fact that you have no alibi is proof enough!"

Amelia cradled Ethan, her voice trembling with fury. "Evelyn, I trusted you to watch him. No matter how you feel about me, how could you take it out on a child?"

Trust? That was rich.

Evelyn saw right through the act. This was a setup—one so cruel Amelia had used her own son as a pawn.

Just then, Samuel strode in. His smile faded at the sight of his sister and nephew in tears.

"What's going on?"

"Samuel!" Amelia rushed to him, Ethan still clutched in her arms. Her shoulders shook with exaggerated sobs.

Samuel's expression tightened. "Amelia, what happened?"

Gabrielle cut in, venom in her tone. "Evelyn abused Ethan while we were out! Look at him—covered in bruises! She pinched him until he couldn't stop crying!"

She yanked up Ethan's sleeve to reveal the marks.

Samuel's gaze turned icy as it landed on Evelyn. "What kind of monster hurts a child?"