Chapter 381

"Perhaps because the right person hasn't come along yet."

"Really? Never?"

Evelyn's fingers curled slightly. "Once."

"Who?"

"I don't remember."

Alexander's gaze darkened. "Fine, keep your secrets."

"Mhm."

Linda's wedding was a grand affair.

Though there were minor hiccups, the party reportedly lasted until dawn.

These details were relayed to Evelyn three days later—by Linda herself, who showed up unannounced.

Evelyn studied the whirlwind bride, baffled by her insistence on delivering a gift in person.

"I'm pregnant," Linda admitted sheepishly, resting a hand on her belly. "The doctor says the first trimester is critical, and I just... can't handle the responsibility right now."

Evelyn eyed the fluffy white ball of fur in the carrier. "With proper checkups—"

"It's not about my family," Linda cut in. "I can barely get out of bed. How am I supposed to care for a living creature?"

"Why me?"

"Gregory said you'd be a good owner." Linda winked. "And that you could use the company."

Evelyn frowned.

"Paul's waiting," Linda said, already heading for the door. "She's fully vaccinated and housebroken."

Before Evelyn could respond, Linda vanished.

Silence settled over the apartment—save for the tiny dog blinking up at her.

Gregory had become a ghost since their late-night conversation.

Between her grueling schedule at the new hospital and the postponed apartment hunt, the puppy became her sole reason to hurry home each day.

The moment the carrier opened, the little thing bolted across the room, then flopped onto its back at Evelyn's feet, belly exposed.

She crouched to poke it. "Little simp."

"Talking about me?"

Gregory stood in the doorway, arms laden with pet supplies.

Evelyn scooped up the dog. "Her."

He crossed over to scratch behind its ears with practiced ease, as if he'd done this countless times before.

"Linda's doing?"

"Mm. Pregnancy complications."

He set the bags on the coffee table. "Brought food and toys."

Evelyn surveyed the haul, realization dawning. "You knew?"

"Educated guess." His eyes avoided hers. "A pet helps with loneliness."

The unspoken topic—her move—hung thick between them.

The puppy wriggled in her arms, its tail brushing her wrist.

"Alexander returned to the country," Gregory said abruptly. "With Annabelle."

Evelyn turned toward the balcony, settling the dog on a cushion. "That's his business. Why tell me?"