Chapter 514

Gregory Wilson had just lifted his teacup when he nearly choked on his drink. "Ahem!"

Alexander Hamilton set his cup down deliberately. "Does Evelyn know you want to reconcile?"

Alexander's fingers tapped lightly against the table. "She's aware of my stance."

"So she refused."

"For now."

Gregory scoffed. "You know Evelyn better than anyone. Once she makes a decision, no one can change her mind."

"That's none of your concern, Dr. Wilson."

"As long as she remains single, I still have a chance. We're friends—more than that, we're the perfect professional partners—"

"We had a child together."

The air turned glacial.

Alexander traced the rim of his teacup. "That child... is a wound we both carry."

"It only made her despise you more."

"Hate is still an emotion." A smirk played on Alexander's lips. "Tell me, Doctor, do you even have the right to earn her hatred?"

Vincent Wilson shrank into his seat, sipping his tea as if wishing he could vanish.

Alexander leaned back, utterly composed.

"She bears me no resentment. Our interactions are effortless. If she ever wants companionship for the rest of her life, I'm the obvious choice. Her first marriage wasn't built on love anyway. We'd both be starting fresh—"

"You won't get the chance." Alexander cut him off. "Because I'm here."

Gregory's pupils contracted. "Mr. Hamilton, what you call 'reconciliation' isn't the real thing. Reconciliation means two people in love finding their way back. But you two—"

"You don't get to define our relationship."

"Were you ever truly in love?" Gregory struck mercilessly. "This is nothing but your one-sided delusion."

Alexander's gaze turned arctic.

Vincent felt a chill crawl down his spine. Desperate, he blurted, "The baby's awake!"

Little Chloe giggled, clutching Alexander's finger.

"Want a toy?" Vincent hastily offered a rattle.

"No need." Alexander let the baby tug at his hand. "She likes playing like this."

Gregory stared at the stroller. "That child will always be her greatest pain. She'll never forgive you."

"I don't seek forgiveness." Alexander's voice dropped low. "As long as things stay as they are, she hasn't rejected me."

Vincent stole a glance at his brother's whitened knuckles.

"If by 'things as they are,' you mean you helping her manage the company," Gregory sneered, "then I understand why she hasn't refused."

"Glad we agree." Alexander shifted tactics. "I heard you wanted to help too? Pity..."

Each word struck like a blade.

Gregory gripped his cup. "Because I still have my medical practice."

It was Evelyn's dream—one they'd shared as the most seamless surgical team. Something Alexander could never replace.

"It's tragic that Evelyn can never practice medicine again." Gregory met Alexander's gaze head-on. "Do you even know what her dreams were?"

Of course Alexander knew.

She'd told him countless times.

She wanted to be an OB-GYN. To help mothers in remote areas. To reduce suffering in this world.

"She never wanted wealth or status." Gregory's voice tightened. "Just a simple, warm life. The path she's on now—it's not what she chose."

Alexander's jaw tensed. "I know."

"When she lays down her burdens, I'll be the one to help her reclaim that dream."

The tea had gone cold.

Gregory stood. "The tea's cold. We've said all there is to say."

Alexander didn't budge. "Don't bother seeing him out."

Outside, birds chirped in the golden sunlight.

Vincent clutched the teapot like it might become a weapon.

"What?" Alexander arched a brow.

"The—the tea's cold..."

Alexander chuckled darkly. "Afraid we'll come to blows?"

He adjusted his cufflinks with elegant precision.

Gregory buttoned his suit jacket. "Mr. Hamilton, if Evelyn chooses you, you have my blessing. If she doesn't... I'll wait. However long it takes for her to find herself again."