Chapter 534

Lydia Laurent opened her mouth to speak, but Alexander Hamilton had already efficiently packed up the baby supplies.

The stroller rolled smoothly with just one hand guiding it.

"Alexander..."

His cold gaze cut her off. "Is the hotel really that appealing?"

Leonard Laurent quickly shielded his daughter. "Mr. Hamilton, we're paying guests here."

Ignoring him, Alexander turned to the attendant. "Hold the baby. Follow me."

Leonard stiffened. "Where are you going?"

"Stay as long as you like." Alexander didn't look back. "Just stay out of my way."

He strode out of the hotel, the attendant carrying the infant close behind.

In the hospital's surgical ward, antiseptic fumes hung thick in the air as a doctor treated the gash on Alexander's forehead.

He didn't flinch.

Down the hall, Anthony Taylor was slicing an apple in Teresa Taylor's room.

The fruit knife clattered onto the tray when Alexander entered. "Alexander?"

Teresa turned from the bed, her complexion markedly improved.

Alexander surveyed the room. "You're recovering well, Mrs. Taylor."

She smiled, though her eyes kept darting behind him.

"A friend's child." His explanation was clipped. "I'm watching them briefly."

Anthony exhaled. "You gave me a scare."

"Can Mrs. Taylor tolerate apples now?"

"The doctor approved small portions." Anthony cubed the fruit. "Terry's return sped up her recovery tremendously."

Teresa's voice was featherlight. "I've been here too long... I want to go home."

The couple shared a tender look that twisted something in Alexander's chest.

He thought of Evelyn Carter. Of the marriage he'd destroyed.

Anthony offered him an apple slice. "What happened?"

The wound at Alexander's temple was impossible to miss.

"I deserved it." The words scraped his throat raw.

Anthony's brow furrowed.

Alexander summarized the hotel confrontation.

"It was inevitable." Anthony sighed. "Whatever Terry chooses, we'll respect it."

Teresa clutched the bedsheet, worry lining her face.

"The Andersons..." Alexander hesitated. "They're likely in this hospital too."

"What?"

"Evelyn's sister was in a car accident."

Understanding dawned. "You want me to mediate?"

"Evelyn's devoted to her family." Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed. "She must be devastated."

"I'll go." Anthony adjusted his collar, glancing at the stroller. "Leave the baby with us."

Teresa added softly, "We owe them for raising Terry so well."

The corridor to the orthopedic ward was tomb-silent.

Emily Anderson's door was shut tight, the observation window curtained.

"Discharged?" Alexander asked a nurse.

She shook her head and pushed the door open.

The Andersons filled the room.

Emily lay motionless on the bed. Evelyn sat beside her.

Her adoptive parents faced them from chairs.

The air was thick enough to choke on.