Chapter 185

Evelyn descended the stairs.

The familiar black Cayenne waited silently outside the apartment building.

She remembered this spot being empty half an hour ago when Peter had dropped her off. The narrow roads of this aging residential area were already cramped—the massive SUV now occupied half the lane.

Fortunately, most residents here were elderly. No one would complain about the parking situation.

Alexander leaned against the car door, a cigarette between his fingers.

Seeing her emerge, he immediately stubbed it out and straightened up.

"Going out?" he asked.

Evelyn remained on the steps. "Why are you here?"

He opened the passenger door. "Get in. We'll talk inside."

"No need. Say it here."

His grip tightened then loosened on the door handle. "Your parents might see."

With a cold laugh, Evelyn strode past him and yanked open the rear door instead.

Alexander hesitated before closing the front door and circling to the driver's side.

The cabin reeked of tobacco.

Evelyn rolled down the window, wrinkling her nose. "Since when do you smoke?"

"Recently." His voice was rough. "Stress."

"The mighty CEO of Hamilton Group, thriving in both career and love—what stress could you possibly have?"

"Evelyn—"

"Or is the amusement park project hitting snags?" Her gaze locked onto his. "Great Enterprise Construction is your subsidiary, isn't it?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Yes."

"Congratulations on expanding your empire."

"Must you always speak like this?" Suddenly he leaned forward, bracing his arms on either side of her seat. "Can we have a real conversation?"

She pressed back against the leather. "About what? Your fiancée?"

"She's irrelevant."

"Then what is relevant?"

His breathing grew heavier. "You are. These past weeks... I've been thinking about us."

"Figured anything out?"

"Yes." His voice dropped, resolute. "I won't deny I once had feelings for Annabelle. But that's history. After she married, I let go completely."

Evelyn turned her face away. "And?"

"Then I met you." His fingertips brushed a stray lock of her hair. "Every day of our marriage mattered to me. Even when Annabelle returned, leaving you never crossed my mind."

"Yet you chose her anyway."

"Because—" Alexander seized her hand and pressed it against his chest. "Evelyn, you're the mother of my son!"

His heartbeat thundered against her palm—wild and insistent.

She jerked her hand back. "So what?"

"It means..." Flames ignited in his eyes. "We can never just be strangers."