[Hospital Room]
The room slowly emptied.
Margaret was the first to rise, tapping her cane once against the floor. "That's enough excitement for one day," she said briskly. "He needs rest, not an audience."
Pauline nodded immediately. "She is right. We all should go home and come back later.."
Gregory helped Melissa to her feet while Benjamin paused at the doorway, casting one last look at Alexander before turning away without a word.
Olivia followed, her heels clicking softly and her face composed once more.
Evelyn lingered.
She stood near the bed, fingers brushing the back of the chair she had been sitting on, reluctant in a way that felt almost physical.
"I will come back," she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.
Pauline stopped in front of her and took both her hands gently. "Go home for a bit," she said. "Change, rest, eat something properly."
Before Evelyn could protest, she added, "You can come back later."
"But—"
