Chapter 588

Night deepened.

Evelyn Carter stood by the roadside, staring at her phone screen displaying "No available rides." She sighed softly.

Alexander Hamilton leaned against his car door, fingers tapping the steering wheel as he waited patiently.

"Get in," Evelyn finally relented.

Vivian Dempsey pulled her into the backseat. Alexander glanced at them through the rearview mirror before silently starting the engine.

After dropping Vivian off, only the two of them remained in the car.

Silence stretched between them in the confined space.

In the dead of night, Evelyn dreamed.

She stood at a lectern, her face clearly visible behind black-framed glasses. The audience wasn’t her usual students—just one man in a tailored suit.

Silver-gray suit, gold-rimmed glasses, sleeve garters glinting coldly.

The scene abruptly shifted to a suite at the Capital Hotel.

The lectern became a coffee table, where a familiar electric kettle sat.

"Ah!"

Evelyn jolted awake, her forehead damp with sweat.

She gulped down an entire glass of ice water, trying to quell the inexplicable heat inside her.

Her phone screen lit up suddenly.

[What would you like for breakfast tomorrow? Auntie Wu is on leave.]

Evelyn stared at the message, her fingers hovering over the screen, unable to reply.

A second message followed.

[I remember you liked steamed buns in the Capital. With soy milk or milk?]

[Goodnight.]

......

At seven in the morning, Evelyn was already at the hospital entrance.

She finally replied: [No need. Thank you.]

Olivia Lightfoot approached, and after exchanging pleasantries, Evelyn headed to the flower shop nearby.

"Visiting on an empty stomach?"

A familiar voice spoke behind her. Alexander handed her a brown paper bag, the aroma of steamed buns wafting out.

Today, he wore a silver-gray suit and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "Take it."

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

Dream and reality overlapped.

"Why are you here?"

"You’re avoiding me again." His gaze burned. "Avoid me if you must, but skipping breakfast isn’t an option."

She took the bag, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Alexander’s lips curved. "Buying flowers?"

"Yes. I can’t go empty-handed."

"True." His tone carried meaning. "When the relationship isn’t close, etiquette matters even more."

Evelyn caught the subtext.

When she was hospitalized in the Capital, Alexander had never brought flowers.

She turned to select a bouquet, but he bought a bunch of lilies first. "I’m the one who injured her. I should go with you."

"To apologize?"

"It was a fair sports injury. Why apologize?"

Evelyn picked a bunch of baby’s breath. "Then there’s no need."

"But I’ve already bought the flowers." Alexander stood his ground.

As they deadlocked, a familiar figure emerged from the outpatient department.

Lydia Laurent clutched her purse, her right hand hidden behind her back.

"Alexander, Evelyn, what a coincidence." Her smile was sweet, as if nothing had ever happened.

Evelyn’s gaze sharpened. "Indeed, it is."

Lydia’s smile didn’t waver. "Are you both here because you’re unwell?"

"Visiting a patient," Evelyn said tersely.

Alexander frowned. "Is Mr. Laurent sick?"

"Dad’s fine." Lydia shook her head. "I’m here to see a classmate."

Her right hand remained hidden, but the corner of a medical form peeked through her fingers.

Evelyn recognized the familiar fold at once.

It was the mark of an OB-GYN doctor.

A sign of a complicated case.