Chapter 117

Evelyn Carter carried two bags of groceries into the apartment complex when she spotted the familiar figure from afar.

Alexander Hamilton leaned against the stone pillar by the entrance, his tie loose around his neck, suit jacket draped carelessly over his arm.

She instinctively froze.

What was he doing in this old neighborhood?

"Got a lot of shopping done?" Alexander straightened up and walked toward her, his voice slightly hoarse.

Evelyn took half a step back. "Vivian had an emergency."

He reached for her bags, his fingertips an unnatural shade of red.

"No." She sidestepped his gesture. "Why are you here?"

"Old classmate's baby shower." He rubbed his temples. "Drank too much."

She noticed the redness at the corners of his eyes, the scent of alcohol on his breath.

"Does Annabelle know you came to see me?"

Alexander's brows furrowed instantly. "Don't mention her."

Suddenly, he snatched the shopping bags from her hands and turned toward the building.

"Alexander!"

He stopped at the elevator and pressed the button. "I have a headache."

"There's a clinic down the street to the left."

"You're a doctor."

"I'm an OB-GYN."

He chuckled. "Dr. Carter, top of your class in med school, can't even handle a cold?"

The elevator doors opened.

He stepped inside, blocking the door with his body. "I'll double the consultation fee."

Evelyn didn't move.

"Don't want your groceries?" He shook the bags.

Finally, she entered the elevator.

The confined space filled with the strong scent of whiskey.

"How much did you drink?"

"Lost count." He leaned against the wall. "Celebrating."

When the elevator reached the fifteenth floor, Alexander suddenly staggered.

The bags hit the floor with a dull thud.

He pitched forward, and Evelyn instinctively caught him.

His scorching body heat radiated through his shirt.

"Evelyn..." His breath brushed her ear. "I feel terrible."

"You're running a fever."

"Yeah."

"Go to the hospital."

"No." Like a petulant child, he let his full weight press against her. "I'm staying here."

Evelyn stumbled backward under his weight, her back hitting the wall.

"Alexander!" She shoved him hard. "Stop pretending to be drunk."

His lashes fluttered before he suddenly slid down to the floor.

"Keys..." He looked up at her with unfocused eyes. "In my pocket."