Chapter 497

The air grew thick enough to drown in.

Evelyn's pupils trembled slightly as she stared at Alexander's chiseled profile, forcing down the storm inside her.

The image of that little girl sheltered in her father's arms at the airport resurfaced.

"You..." Her throat tightened. "With your status, Mr. Hamilton, having a child should be effortless. Women would line up for the privilege."

Alexander's gaze burned like hot iron. "I only want yours."

He watched Evelyn's knuckles whiten at her sides, feeling his heart split open with a dull blade.

That night at Capital Hospital, she'd said too many knots bound them.

Every moment with Annabelle—he'd spend a lifetime making amends.

But this...

When he'd opened that baby journal, each "I'm sorry" had stabbed deeper than the last.

Beneath Evelyn's gentle exterior lay unyielding stone.

Their lost child remained a wound that never healed—scabbed over yet bleeding at the slightest touch.

"I want a child." Alexander's voice roughened. "Desperately."

Evelyn gripped the table edge. "What's that to me?"

"I want her back."

That single word—her—struck them both like gunfire.

"Are you worthy?" Evelyn's laugh was ice.

This was their deepest taboo. Each mention cut both ways.

"Neither am I." Her voice shook.

Alexander stepped closer. "It wasn't your fault. Back then—"

"Enough!" She shoved to her feet. "You lured me here at midnight for this? To be your broodmare? Snap your fingers, and women will come running!"

Her entire body trembled like autumn leaves.

Alexander's throat worked, pain churning in his eyes.

He'd frightened her.

"I'm sorry."

Her shove sent him stumbling back.

"We have to move past this," he said hoarsely.

"I can't." Evelyn turned away. "Not in this lifetime."

Only the rustle of leaves outside filled the silence.

"Don't trouble yourself with Anderson Group." Her tone frosted over. "I'll manage—or hand it to Anthony Taylor."

"..."

"Leave."

Alexander studied her fragile silhouette before yielding. "I'm next door if you need me."

"Don't bother."

At the doorway, he paused. "The doctor said you need rest. I'll handle Anderson Group."

"No." Her smile was razor-thin. "Mr. Hamilton never works pro bono. The price is too steep."

A phone buzzed abruptly.

Alexander checked the screen. "I overstepped today. Get some rest."

The soft click of the door left Evelyn alone.

She collapsed beside the tea table.

Vivian's call came right on cue.

"Evelyn, Gregory said you're not home? Did you visit Emily at the hospital?"

"Not yet." Rubbing her temples, Evelyn recounted everything.

Instead of the expected outburst, silence stretched.

"Vivian?"

"Listening." Her friend's voice thickened. "Dad told me some things."

"What?"

"Grandma's neurosurgery abroad... Alexander arranged the specialists. And—" A pause. "Five days ago, five million appeared in our company account. From Hamilton Group."

Evelyn's grip tightened on the phone.

"Grandma's life. The company..." Vivian's laugh was bitter. "He only intervened for you. I should be cursing him to hell, but now..."

"I froze the funds." Sudden steel entered her tone. "If you're done with him, I'll return every cent."