Chapter 51

Evelyn Carter and Vivian Dempsey had agreed to meet at this newly opened Italian restaurant.

"I'll get the queue number. You find us a seat," Vivian said before pushing through the crowd.

The restaurant was lavishly decorated with Baroque-style domes and crystal chandeliers. Renaissance-era oil painting replicates adorned the walls. A pumpkin carriage parked at the entrance drew a line of young women waiting to take photos.

Evelyn had just settled into an empty seat when a commotion erupted nearby.

"How rude can young people be these days? Don't they know pregnant women get priority?"

The shrill voice made Evelyn freeze.

She turned and saw Annabelle Taylor—her slightly rounded belly protruding—berating a schoolgirl in uniform. Standing behind her was Alexander Hamilton.

He'd lost weight. His suit jacket hung loosely on his frame. The spot where he used to wear sleeve garters was now bare, the cuffs drooping limply.

"That's enough," Alexander said, frowning as he tried to pull her away.

Annabelle shook him off. "I'm going to teach these brats some manners today!"

The girl's eyes reddened as she defended herself, "This isn't a bus..."

"Public spaces require courtesy! And why were you hovering near my husband? Can't you see he's married?"

"I wasn't!"

"I saw you taking pictures of him!"

The girl, speechless, covered her face and fled—bumping into Evelyn on her way out.

"Sorry..." The girl sobbed as she ran off.

"Evelyn..."

Without looking back, Evelyn disappeared into the crowd.

The restaurant was packed, swallowing her within seconds. Alexander's voice drowned in the noise—if he'd even called her name at all.

Evelyn smiled bitterly.

When she returned to the waiting area, her seat had been taken. Vivian came back with their queue number, confused. "Where's our spot?"

"Just now—"

"I know!" A ponytailed girl nearby cut in. "Was it that pregnant woman bullying the schoolgirl? We all saw it!"

Her boyfriend nodded. "She went ballistic over nothing. The girl just took a photo, and she accused her of hitting on her husband."

"Exactly!" The ponytailed girl huffed. "Okay, the guy's handsome, but that doesn't mean every girl wants him. Pregnancy doesn't give you a free pass to be awful."

Vivian blinked. "That intense?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze and murmured, "Yeah."