Chapter 486

A glint of cold light flashed in the rearview mirror.

The car jolted violently, tires screeching against the pavement. Evelyn Carter and Lydia Laurent were thrown forward abruptly.

Evelyn's elbow slammed into the front seat with a sharp pain that made her gasp.

Lydia gripped the armrest so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Alexander Hamilton's veins bulged on the back of his hand, his voice icy. "Dogs."

Outside the window, the road was empty—not even a fallen leaf in sight.

Evelyn rubbed her reddened elbow. "How compassionate of you, Mr. Hamilton."

Lydia chimed in innocently, "Alexander has always been kind."

"Kind?" Evelyn chuckled softly. "That depends on who you ask."

Lydia tilted her head. "Evelyn, did your ex-husband break your heart?"

The temperature in the car plummeted.

Alexander's fingers whitened around the steering wheel.

"Something like that," Evelyn murmured, gazing at the passing scenery.

Lydia leaned closer. "They say the best way to get over someone is to find someone new. That doctor—Gregory—seemed really sweet on you."

"Love isn't a replacement."

Alexander's breathing grew noticeably heavier.

Lydia prattled on, "If only all love stories could be like fairy tales—"

"Fairy tales are lies," Evelyn cut her off. "And marriage is no fairy tale."

"But when you two first got married—"

"We met through an arranged introduction." Evelyn's tone was flat, as if discussing the weather.

Silence swallowed the car.

Even their breaths sounded too loud.

"But... surely feelings developed later?" Lydia ventured cautiously.

Evelyn paused. "There are many kinds of feelings."

"But how can a marriage last without love?"

"Last?" Evelyn laughed suddenly. "A lifetime of self-deception isn't worth it. Better to end it cleanly."

Alexander slammed on the brakes.

Tires screamed.

"I'm getting cigarettes." He threw the door open and stalked off.

When he returned, the scent of tobacco and the chill of late autumn clung to him.

The hotel lobby blazed with light.

"You two go ahead," Alexander said without turning, striding toward the front desk.

Evelyn dragged her exhausted body into the elevator. By the time the ninth-floor light blinked on, her legs nearly gave out.

The room was warm, yet she shivered uncontrollably.

The moment her knees touched the bed, dizziness overwhelmed her.

The lock beeped.

Alexander stood in the doorway, cold air swirling around him.

"Get out." Her voice was hoarse, unfamiliar.

He crossed the room in three strides, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"Don't touch me!" She struggled weakly.

His grip was iron. "You're burning up."

"Not your concern—"

Before she could finish, he scooped her into his arms.

"Put me down!"

"Hospital." His voice brooked no argument.

Her vision darkened. All she smelled was that familiar blend of tobacco and winter.

Somewhere in the haze, she remembered another time she'd been carried like this.

Back then, he'd smelled like warm sunlight.