Chapter 112

Alexander Hamilton stood under the fluorescent hospital lights, his expression distant.

"Mr. Hamilton?" The chief physician tapped his shoulder. "Why are you spacing out here?"

He snapped back to reality with a slight bow. "My apologies. I was lost in thought."

The chief physician smiled kindly. "Evelyn's surgery went perfectly. No need to worry. Though you two should've given us a heads-up before coming."

Evelyn Carter stood nearby, forcing a strained smile.

Her gaze drifted to the empty corridor.

"She didn't come," Alexander said abruptly.

Evelyn nodded.

This hospital was her workplace. Her colleagues knew her as the woman with a devoted husband. If Annabelle showed up now, visibly pregnant... She couldn't bear their pitying looks.

"I'll check on Natalie," the chief physician said, leading relatives toward the ward.

The hallway fell silent.

Vivian Dempsey hurried over, whispering sharply, "You actually saved her baby? That's Simon's spawn!"

Evelyn peeled off her gloves, rubbing her temples. "The patient insisted. I had to respect her choice."

"That's the chief's only daughter," Vivian scoffed. "How many years has Simon played this game? Preying on privileged only children."

"Maybe this time's different?"

"Please." Vivian rolled her eyes. "A snake doesn't shed its skin. Just wait—once he finds a better stepping stone, that girl will end up worse than I did."

Evelyn's stomach churned, remembering how Simon had forced Natalie to socialize at their wedding reception.

If this was how he treated her as newlyweds...

"Dr. Carter."

A steaming coffee cup appeared before her. Gregory Wilson stood there, his gaze gentle. "Whole milk, half sugar."

She instinctively stepped back. "No, thank you."

Vivian nudged her. "He kept it warm against his chest the whole time."

"Really, I'm fine." Evelyn forced another smile. "Vivian, come help me grab something from my office."

"Evelyn—"

"Evelyn..."

Two voices overlapped.

Alexander stood three paces away, his dark eyes unreadable.