Chapter 450

Alexander Hamilton's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, locked onto Evelyn Carter's eyes.

Evelyn shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. "What's wrong with you today? Did Gregory Wilson provoke you again?"

The faint curve of his lips vanished instantly as he took a step back, putting distance between them.

"Vincent Wilson has been spending too much time with Gregory lately."

"That's it?" Evelyn arched a brow. "Are you seriously jealous of another man now?"

She suddenly recalled Vivian Dempsey's recent obsession with BL dramas and frowned.

Not that she judged—but those plots made her skin crawl.

"Don't overthink it," Alexander said darkly. "Stop picking up nonsense from Vivian."

"I don’t watch them, but I respect her preferences."

"Let her watch whatever she wants. Just don’t join her."

Evelyn sighed and changed the subject. "Last time at the private dining club, I saw you with Annabelle Taylor and Lydia Laurent."

"And?"

"If you've made your choice, treat her right. Don’t leave the other one with false hope."

A flicker passed through Alexander's eyes. "Who do you want me to choose?"

"That’s your decision."

"Tell me anyway. The final say is still mine."

Evelyn took a deep breath. "I don’t want to interfere in your personal life. But seeing Lydia... it’s like looking at my past self."

Alexander’s expression hardened.

"Are you speaking up for Lydia?"

"We’ve barely met," Evelyn said, turning toward the moonlight outside the window. "But I know that feeling too well. Hearing you say 'just friends' while sitting through awkward dinners—no one deserves that."

"Evelyn, I explained. I didn’t know Annabelle would—"

"Let me finish," she interrupted.

Alexander pressed his lips together and nodded.

Moonlight filtered through the security bars, casting fractured shadows on the floor. Evelyn watched their overlapping silhouettes before subtly stepping aside.

"You were good to me when we were married. I thought I was lucky." Her voice was eerily calm, as if recounting someone else’s story. "When the truth came out, that feeling..."

Alexander’s throat moved. "I handled it poorly."

"It’s over." She waved a hand. "But I don’t want Lydia to repeat my mistakes. If this is just a business arrangement, think carefully. I could walk away calmly, but she’s so naive—"

"How do you know she’ll get hurt?" Alexander suddenly sneered.

Evelyn met his gaze. "So you do have real feelings for her?"

The question struck like a slap, silencing him.

"I can tell Lydia likes you," Evelyn continued. "If you can’t give her sincerity, don’t lead her on. Of course, if you can keep up the act forever, ignore my meddling."

Alexander stepped closer abruptly. "You don’t want me to marry Lydia?"

"No."

"Tell me the truth."

He backed her against the wardrobe, his breath warm against her skin.

"Was it... painful back then?" His voice trembled faintly.

"A little," she admitted frankly. "But I also did some meaningful things."

Alexander retreated half a step, stubbornly pressing, "So now, there’s no lingering attachment at all?"

"Pretty much." Evelyn’s voice softened. "Just... be careful with Lydia."

Moonlight bathed Alexander’s profile as he asked hoarsely, "You admit it hurt—does that mean... you loved me once?"