Chapter 355

"You've already decided the ending from the start." Alexander Hamilton's voice was low and restrained. "You made the choice for me without giving me a say."

Evelyn Carter's fingers hovered over her phone screen, trembling slightly: I made myself clear that day at the hospital entrance.

"Right. You arranged everything perfectly." His bitter laugh was hollow. "The child's future, my career, even your own exit plan. You thought of everything—except whether I wanted any of it."

This conversation is over.

"This thorn has been festering between us for too long." Alexander pressed a hand to his chest. "You keep running, and I can't catch up. The wound is infected. When will we finally face it?"

There is no future for us.

"There will be." His voice hardened with stubborn conviction. "There has to be."

Then we'll talk when that future arrives.

Alexander drew a deep breath. "The fact that we're even having this conversation is progress."

A sudden ringtone shattered the tension.

Evelyn glimpsed "Emily Zade" flashing on the caller ID.

"Speak." Alexander answered without preamble.

"Mr. Hamilton, Polytechnic University is confirming the groundbreaking ceremony date."

"Funding secured?"

"Fully processed. The school hopes you'll attend."

"Decline."

"Understood. I've sent three potential construction start dates—"

"Earliest one."

As the call ended, Evelyn caught the key detail.

Polytechnic University.

Emily Anderson's acceptance letter still lay in her bag.

"The lab building donation is for the Materials Science department." Alexander adjusted his cufflinks, tone indifferent. "Your sister will benefit."

Stop doing these things.

"It's nothing." He shrugged. "Hamilton Group allocates charity funds annually. This year's focus simply shifted."

Evelyn's fingers clenched around her sleeve.

Alexander stood. "The move is your choice. But Evelyn—you know exactly what it means when a woman moves into a man's home."

Three days vanished like smoke.

The hospital corridor reeked of antiseptic at dawn.

Evelyn's voice had regained some strength, though still hoarse.

A British doctor paced anxiously outside her office.

"Why is she refusing the exam?" His thick accent sharpened with frustration as he addressed a nurse. "I'm trying to help her."