Chapter 524

Evelyn set down her fork after barely touching her dinner.

The crisp early autumn air in the garden filled her lungs, washing away the heaviness in her chest.

"Oxygen levels peak at dusk," Alexander murmured, cradling the baby with one arm while naturally reaching for her hand. "Walking helps clear the mind."

She glanced at their intertwined fingers. "Basic middle school geography."

"Which makes it even more essential for a doctor to remember." His thumb traced slow circles on her knuckles.

Evelyn tried pulling away. "I should get back to my study. You stay with the baby."

The slight tug disturbed little Chloe. The infant squirmed, stretching chubby arms toward Evelyn.

"...Mama."

The tiny voice sent a tremor through Evelyn's heart.

Alexander tightened his hold, but Chloe's lips quivered, tears pooling in her wide eyes.

"Shh, don't cry." Evelyn immediately took the child.

Instantly, the baby giggled, distracted by twinkling garden lights.

Alexander followed closely behind them on the cobblestone path. "Mind the steps," he cautioned softly.

A night breeze carried floral fragrances.

"She adores you," Alexander observed, watching Chloe's rapt expression.

Evelyn squeezed the tiny hand. "She's confused. Bianca and I both have long hair—infant vision isn't fully developed yet."

At the mention of children, shadows crossed both their faces.

"Bianca's remarkably brave," Evelyn said quietly. "Choosing to raise a child alone despite her marriage... I couldn't have done it."

Old wounds throbbed beneath her ribs.

"Different circumstances." Alexander's gaze turned distant. "The Langley family provides her safety net. And her relationship with Vincent... isn't like ours."

"Because we're divorced?"

"Their divorce won't happen anytime soon." His voice lowered. "Too many financial entanglements. They'll keep playing the perfect couple in public, no matter how much they despise each other."

Evelyn's chest constricted. "Bianca deserves better."

Alexander changed the subject. "The crucial difference is intent. I want to rebuild with you. But Vincent... he'd rather never see Bianca or Chloe again."

"His own flesh and blood?"

"Perhaps the child represents his shame."

Evelyn froze.

"Vincent shares Peter's ambition and capability," Alexander chose his words carefully. "But he's more transparent. He married Bianca openly for the Langley resources."

"And she... agreed?"

"A transactional arrangement." Alexander sighed. "Now that he's successful, those early compromises haunt him."

Understanding dawned.

Poverty had made marital opportunism acceptable. Now, those memories festered like splinters—with Bianca and Chloe as living reminders.

Chloe suddenly grasped Evelyn's finger, beaming with innocent joy.

"Adult conflicts punishing an innocent child..." Evelyn's voice cracked.

The words pierced them both.

At least they'd stopped before reaching that point.

"She's too young to remember," Alexander soothed. "Vincent barely appeared at the christening."

A fountain burst to life, water droplets refracting rainbow hues under the lights. Chloe clapped excitedly, momentarily lightening the mood.

Evelyn stepped back with the baby, suddenly smiling. "Bianca Langley and Vincent Croix. Ice and fire. Perhaps their fate was written from the start."

"You believe in that?" Alexander arched a brow.

"Grandma Hamilton said she saw our child before passing." Evelyn gazed at the stars. "Since then, I've felt certain threads are preordained."

Moonlight glinted off Alexander's bobbing Adam's apple.