Chapter 566

Evelyn's fingertips had just touched the doorknob when she heard rustling sounds behind her.

The Ragdoll cat was pawing at Alexander's pant leg, its fluffy tail arched high like a blooming dandelion.

"It seems to prefer you." Evelyn set the shopping bags down by the entryway and bent to untie her shoelaces.

Alexander crouched, his slender fingers gently scratching under the kitten's chin. "Perhaps opposites attract."

"It's not even three months old." Evelyn countered without looking up. The keys turned twice in the lock with a crisp click.

Pushing the door open, a musty scent of long-stagnant air greeted them. The furniture shapes beneath dust covers blurred like ghosts veiled in white. The Ragdoll leaped from her arms and began curiously exploring its new territory.

Evelyn drew back the curtains as the last rays of sunset slanted inside. The kitten had already found its favorite toy—a plush ball—and was rolling around with it in the dog bed.

The shower had barely stopped running when the doorbell chimed.

Evelyn answered while drying her hair, water droplets from the ends splattering dark circles on the floor.

"Iodine." Alexander stood at the threshold, his damp hair tousled across his forehead, the edges of his bandage suspiciously damp.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "Shower spray?"

"Mhm." His Adam's apple bobbed. "Might've... turned the water on too."

The motion-sensor hallway light abruptly shut off, plunging his sharply defined profile into darkness. With a sigh, Evelyn stepped aside to let him pass.

The Ragdoll immediately darted over, affectionately rubbing against Alexander's calf. He bent to scoop it up, fingertips brushing its snow-white belly.

"The first-aid kit's under the coffee table." Evelyn shook her half-dried hair, droplets landing on Alexander's knuckles, making his fingers twitch from the chill.

When the tweezers pressed the cotton swab against his wound, Alexander hissed through his teeth.

"Now it hurts?" Evelyn maintained firm pressure. "If this gets infected, we'll have to reopen and debride—"

"Dr. Carter." Alexander interrupted suddenly. "Are you always this harsh with patients?"

The cotton swab dug into the wound's edge, making his jawline tense with pain. Evelyn kept her lashes lowered, the light casting delicate shadows beneath her eyes. "The OB-GYN ward only has pregnant women."

The implication was clear—he wasn't part of any special demographic requiring gentleness.

The fresh bandage carried the sterile scent of antiseptic. Alexander suddenly reached out, his fingertips grazing a damp strand of hair by her ear. "You're still dripping."

Evelyn jerked back, only for her ankle to catch on something. She stumbled forward, and Alexander's arms opened to catch her against his chest.

A tangle of yarn was wrapped around the coffee table leg—the culprit perched on the cat tree, tilting its head at the entangled pair.

"Meow~"

Alexander's palm remained at the small of her back, his body heat seeping through the thin pajama fabric. Flustered, Evelyn braced herself up but accidentally pressed against his chest.

"Cough..." Alexander grunted.

She recoiled as if electrocuted. "Did I hurt you?"

"It's fine." He slowly sat upright, his knuckles unconsciously rubbing where she'd pressed. "Better than iodine on an open wound."

The Ragdoll leaped down gracefully, its tail brushing Alexander's knee. He gazed at the little creature, the barest hint of a smile touching his lips.

Evelyn bent to gather the scattered medical supplies, her falling hair veiling the faint flush at the tips of her ears.