Chapter 200

"Why stay married? For the New Year's reunion dinner?"

Olivia Lightfoot scoffed. "Dr. Carter, Director Zhao only has one precious daughter. Her dowry was half the hospital. If they divorce now, that scumbag Simon Stapleton would walk away with half their fortune. Natalie probably lost all feelings for him long ago, but she’s too filial to let her father’s life’s work be torn apart."

Evelyn Carter’s chest tightened.

The afternoon brought an emergency C-section.

The baby had its umbilical cord wrapped three times around its neck—a critical situation. The operating room was tense, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Thankfully, mother and twins made it through safely.

By the time she stepped out, the city lights had long since flickered to life.

Her gaze instinctively drifted toward the parking lot before she caught herself. It had been ages since she last looked for that white Cayenne. The realization gave her pause.

The night breeze carried a chill. She pulled her coat tighter as she headed toward the alley.

Under the streetlamp stood a familiar figure.

Peter Harrison jogged over, unbuttoning his coat to pull out a steaming baked sweet potato from inside.

"From Qingyuan District. Clay-oven roasted." His nose was red from the cold. "I remember you loved these as a kid."

Qingyuan was a forty-minute drive across town.

The sweet potato had been kept warm against his chest the whole way, still hot to the touch.

He fished out a plastic spoon wrapped in cling film from his pocket. "Wanted to make sure it stayed clean."

Evelyn’s eyes burned.

"I thought about it all night," Peter said softly. "Your past doesn’t matter to me. I just want your future. I know you might not feel the same yet, but I can wait."

A memory flashed—that rainy night.

The same parking lot where Alexander Hamilton’s roses had been left forgotten at their doorstep. Those exquisite blooms were never meant for her life.

Now, cradling this sweet potato, its warmth carried the comforting familiarity of ordinary happiness.

"Let’s start over," she murmured.

Peter froze.

"Hello, boyfriend."