Chapter 653

Alexander Hamilton's gaze had been fixed on Evelyn Carter since he stepped through the door.

The nurses at the station exchanged knowing glances, their lips curling into discreet smiles.

"Dr. Carter," his long fingers tapped lightly on the counter, "my cold has gotten worse."

The most vivacious nurse immediately chimed in, "Oh dear, only Dr. Carter can treat someone as important as Mr. Hamilton! We lowly nurses wouldn't dare."

Giggling, the girls playfully nudged Evelyn forward.

She stumbled slightly, the hem of her white coat brushing against the sleeve of Alexander's tailored suit.

"Enough," she chided softly. The nurses scattered like startled birds.

Alexander had already settled into the examination chair with the effortless grace of someone presiding over a board meeting.

"Did you take your medicine?" Evelyn flipped open the medical chart.

"Exactly as prescribed." His Adam's apple bobbed. "But my throat feels like I swallowed razor blades."

She picked up a tongue depressor. "Open wide—"

Under the clinical lights, his tonsils glared an angry red.

"Severe inflammation." Her brow furrowed. "More fluids. Less talking."

"An IV would be faster." He loosened his tie.

Her pen hovered over the prescription pad. "Overusing antibiotics isn't advisable."

"I can't afford delays." His gaze burned. "The medical relief team arrives next week."

The pen scratched across paper.

When Evelyn looked up, the nurses' station stood deserted.

"Those girls..." She had no choice but to prepare the IV herself.

As the antiseptic swab grazed his hand, Alexander's muscles tensed slightly.

"It's been a while since I've done this," she warned, adjusting the needle.

His lips quirked. "Consider it practice."

The needle found its mark on the first try.

After securing the tape, Evelyn turned to leave.

The tail of her coat caught in his grip.

"Something else?" She didn't turn around.

"Your mother..." His voice was rough. "She's at your uncle's place."

Her shoulders stiffened.

"Emily's back at school preparing for exams." He continued quietly, "Mrs. Anderson started the new treatment."

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting dappled patterns across the examination bed.

Evelyn finally faced him. "Thank you."

"Don't." Alexander studied the IV bag. "National initiative and all that."

The noon light seemed warmer suddenly.

"Actually..." She gazed at the swaying plane trees outside. "I can think about Dad now without crying."

The IV tube glinted faintly.

"He always said..." Her voice was barely audible. "Evelyn should be like a cedar."

"You are." The words came unexpectedly.

She arched a brow. "Stubborn?"

"Resilient." His eyes held hers. "My entire life was mapped out before I could walk. I never imagined..."

The IV dripped steadily.

Sunlight crept across her stethoscope, turning the metal to liquid silver.