Chapter 736

Night deepened as the clamor of the day faded away.

Evelyn lay alone on the plush bed, gazing at the peacefully sleeping baby in the crib. A hollow ache settled in her chest.

Alexander's words before bed lingered in her mind.

"Waaah..."

The baby suddenly whimpered in her sleep, restless.

Evelyn expertly patted her back to soothe her, but tonight, the little one was unusually fussy. Her tiny pink nose scrunched up, and her small hands flailed in the air before dissolving into loud, piercing cries.

"WAAAAH—"

The quiet bedroom was instantly filled with wails.

Evelyn hastily threw on her robe and scooped the baby into her arms, rocking her gently. The diaper was already heavy, and she swiftly changed it, but the tears continued to fall like unstrung pearls.

"Are you hungry?"

She tried to prepare a bottle, but the baby clung tightly to her sleeve. Attempting to handle boiling water one-handed was too dangerous. Just as she debated waking her mother for help, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Alexander appeared silently on crutches, his gaze landing on the flustered Evelyn. "Auntie Wu mentioned babies at this age are teething. They tend to be restless at night."

"I've only handled newborns. I don’t have much experience with this age," Evelyn admitted, her bangs disheveled. "Here, hold her while I make the bottle."

Without waiting for a response, she deposited the baby into Alexander’s arms. The man stiffened on the edge of the bed, careful not to let the medicinal scent on him bother the child.

Evelyn dashed out like a whirlwind and returned moments later with a bottle and a toy. The baby latched onto the nipple immediately, tears still clinging to her lashes as she sucked eagerly.

"So she was hungry," Evelyn sighed in relief. "Last time I took care of her, she slept through the night without waking."

"Ooh!" The baby suddenly let out a delighted squeal, her big eyes sparkling—any trace of sleepiness gone.

The two adults exchanged glances. Alexander opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a massive yawn. Evelyn, as if infected, yawned right after.

"Ooh-ah!" The baby giggled even harder.

"I thought yawning was contagious," Evelyn rubbed her tired eyes. "Why are we exhausted, but she’s wide awake?"

Alexander fought to keep his eyelids open. "Probably slept too much during the day."

For the next two hours, they took turns entertaining her. Alexander propped himself against the headboard as a human guardrail while Evelyn waved a dancing bunny plush. Only when the first light of dawn crept across the sky did the baby finally let out a tiny yawn.

They seized the opportunity like a lifeline, placing her in the center of the bed and flanking her, gently patting her to sleep. It was a trick they’d discovered at the resort—double the security, double the speed to dreamland.

Sure enough, tiny fists clenched, and she drifted off quickly.

Evelyn carefully tucked in the blanket while Alexander wordlessly rolled down his sleeves to prevent teething bites. The motions flowed seamlessly, as if rehearsed a thousand times.

Exhausted, they collapsed into sleep—only to be awakened by a chubby little hand slapping their faces.

In the morning light of the dining room, the two dark-eyed zombies mechanically sipped from the same glass of milk. Margaret watched them take turns lifting the cup, her expression unreadable—until Evelyn suddenly realized...

There was another full glass sitting right beside her.