But who would have thought that when she shared her suspicions, Brooks would actually believe her and even offer to help dig into Dahlia and Wesley''s history? Turns out, there wasn''t much of a history to speak of.


    Evelyn was starting to think she might have been overanalyzing things, but Brooks wasn''t ready to throw in the towel. Eventually, they uncovered a tiny piece of the puzzle: Wesley once worked as an orderly at the hospital where Dahlia''s adoptive father was a patient. He actually took care of him. So, they did know each other.


    Brooks tracked down a nurse from that hospital who remembered Wesley. Although Wesley didn''t have much cash, he was definitely easy on the eyes and in pretty good shape. With all the time they spent together, the nurse and Wesley almost became a thing. But then Wesley got his eye on someone else—a patient''s underage daughter, none other than Dahlia. Because of this, Wesley gave that patient extra attention.


    Eventually, the patient passed away, and Wesley quit his job. Their connection seemed to end there. Yet, this only made Evelyn more certain of her gut feeling. Dahlia had to be the one pulling the strings behind her car ident.


    As for her grandmother''s death, Evelyn had no proof to pin it on Dahlia. And even if Dahlia was behind the malicious plot to snatch Charlie''s kidney donation, it wouldn''t be enough to hold her ountable in court. The ident from two years ago was the only lead she had. If her theory was right, Dahlia was indeed involved.


    Dahlia wanted Evelyn gone, but couldn''t dirty her own hands, so she trusted Wesley to do the job. When the incident urred, Wesley took the fall without ever mentioning Dahlia, epting the me all on his own. Their bond must run deep.


    **Prison**


    Evelyn came face to face with Wesley. Even though he was in his thirties, he looked like he was pushing forty. When Wesley saw Evelyn, he froze, doubting his own eyes. Once it sunk in that Evelyn was alive, his eyes lit up with a fierce brightness, barely able to hide his excitement. He didn''t exchange words with Evelyn but immediately yelled to the prison guards nearby:


    "Look, Evelyn''s alive! I didn''t kill anyone! Get me awyer-I want a retrial!"


    Initially, Wesley was looking at a ten-year sentence max, but he ended up with life. To get back to Dahlia and Sandy, he''d been on his best behavior for the past couple of years, leading to his sentence being reduced from life to a fixed term, giving him some hope. Now that Evelyn wasn''t dead, he could apply for a retrial. With his earnest attitude from two years ago, he was optimistic about getting a lighter sentence. Before long, he hoped to be free, seeing Sandy and Dahlia more often.


    Evelyn didn''t get a chance to speak with Wesley before visiting hours were up. Leaving with Brooks, she didn''t look disappointed. After enduring a grueling year of treatment and recovery, her


    vel


    emotions had settled. Evelyn realized that flying off the handle, like she did two years ago when provoked by Charles and Dahlia, was useless. Keeping her cool was the only way to think clearly and ensure Dahlia and Charles faced the consequences they deserved.


    Today''s visit wasn''t about testing anything. If her hunch was right, Wesley wouldn''t betray Dahlia now. But once he was out, he''d definitely look for Dahlia, and that would be the thread she needed to follow. Knowing she was alive, Wesley would undoubtedly push for a retrial.


    "What''re you in the mood for tonight?" Brooks asked as they got into the car. "Italian."


    Both Evelyn and Brooks had a taste for lighter fare.


    "Sounds perfect."