Chapter 66

Alexander Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed as he nodded slowly.

"I'm surprised you saved her," he said in a low voice.

Evelyn Carter gave a wry smile. "I surprised myself too."

"Compassion is in your blood," Alexander murmured, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Just like that typhoon years ago when you risked your life to make your hospital shift—"

"Don't bring that up," Evelyn cut him off. "It's pointless."

"It matters to me." He drew a deep breath. "Today... I must have looked pathetic to you."

"You mean Annabelle?"

"...Yes."

"Not pathetic," Evelyn said flatly. "Just not funny at all."

Alexander let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "I've become a walking joke lately."

"Your personal life isn't my business to judge." Her voice remained calm. "All I can offer is my blessing."

"Blessing for what?"

"A long marriage? A house full of children?"

His smile froze. "That sounds like sarcasm."

"I didn't mean it that way."

"I know." His lips twisted bitterly. "I'm mocking myself."

"After twenty years of obsession, you finally got what you wanted. Why doubt it now?"

Alexander's eyes darkened. "Twenty years... yet now that we're together, it's nothing like I imagined."

Evelyn looked away. "You made your choice."

"I heard if it weren't for you today, Annabelle would've been the one hit by that car." He paused. "I know you hate apologies, so I won't say it. But thank you—that I must say."

Evelyn pulled a velvet box from her pocket and handed it to him.

"Returning what's yours."

His hand trembled slightly. "This is..."

"The wedding ring." Her tone was matter-of-fact. "I heard it's worth a house. Not appropriate for me to keep."

"Evelyn..."

"Enough." She interrupted firmly. "We failed as spouses, and we can't be friends either. Strangers is the cleanest way. Oh, and there are some things I left—"

She broke off mid-sentence.

That place wasn't her home anymore.

It belonged to Alexander and Annabelle now.

"Just mail my belongings to me. Three years' worth might be too much—feel free to toss them if it's troublesome. But please send back the medical books on the shelf. I need them for my thesis."

Alexander nodded. "To Vivian Dempsey's address?"

"Yes. Include the divorce papers too."

"No rush on the paperwork," he said. "We can sign during the formalities."

Evelyn considered this. "Fine. When are you available? Let's settle this quickly."

A bitter smile touched his lips. "The company's had some issues lately. You've probably heard."

She recalled Vivian's gossip—Annabelle's cousin had botched a major deal, costing Hamilton Group tens of millions.

"How long will it take?"

Alexander suddenly asked, "Why the hurry to divorce... Planning something new?"