Chapter 745

Since we're already here, we can't just have a meal and return to the hotel, can we?

Alexander wanted Evelyn to truly relax and leave last year's gloom behind. He took the backpack and stroller from her, allowing her to move freely.

The noodle shop owner hadn't lied—this seaside park was breathtaking. The shallow shore was covered in smooth pebbles, attracting both tourists and locals for strolls and photos.

Some had even set up tents, clearly planning to spend the entire day here.

Evelyn wore only a simple long dress with a shirt, her hair tied into a casual ponytail. Yet when she stood on the shore, she still drew the attention of several young men.

"Hi, are you here alone to see the ocean?" A bespectacled guy mustered the courage to approach her.

"No," Evelyn answered honestly. "Just taking a walk."

The guy's carefully rehearsed poetic lines instantly evaporated. As he scrambled for a new topic, the stroller suddenly bumped into him, nearly knocking him off balance.

"Sorry." Alexander pushed the stroller forward, expressionless, wedging himself between them.

The guy frowned. "It's fine."

"My wife and I are here on vacation." Alexander's tone was calm, but each word struck like a dagger.

The guy's face froze. Wife? Vacation? This fresh-faced, sweet-looking girl was already married with a child?!

"My apologies!" He fled in embarrassment, his retreating figure as awkward as if he were being chased by a dog.

Alexander's expression darkened like ink.

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh. "You scared him half to death."

"He got off easy just being scared away." Alexander scoffed. "Young people these days have no sense."

Evelyn glanced down at her bare ring finger.

She couldn’t blame him for misunderstanding.

Alexander noticed too, clearing his throat subtly as he closed the distance between them. At the very least, he wanted it to be obvious to onlookers that they were together.

A faint, unmistakable scent of jealousy hung in the air. Evelyn sighed. "He probably didn’t see you. The stroller isn’t easy to push on pebbles."

"I'll hold the baby." Alexander volunteered to take on the role of a "human shield."

With the baby in his arms, Alexander didn’t even need to speak to deter any potential admirers. Yet Evelyn's gentle, serene aura still attracted lingering glances.

"I'm going to buy something," Alexander suddenly announced.

Evelyn assumed he meant water. "Do you want me to hold the baby?"

"Mm." He carefully handed the child over.

Soon, he returned with a shopping bag from a well-known outdoor brand.

"Are you cold?" Evelyn eyed the windbreaker in his hands.

"It's for you." Without waiting for a response, he draped it over her shoulders. "Olivia mentioned you have a weak constitution and shouldn’t catch a chill."

The men's windbreaker swallowed her whole, covering even her wrists. In an instant, she went from a graceful lady to a walking tent.

"..." Evelyn was torn between laughter and exasperation. "Was that really necessary? It was just a kid trying to chat me up."

Hearing this, Alexander finally relaxed. "Why aren’t you bothered?"

Lately, his sense of crisis had skyrocketed, terrified someone might swoop in and steal her away.

"After a divorce, you stop caring about these things." She rolled up the sleeves slightly. "Besides, I don’t like younger guys. What’s the difference between that and babysitting?"

Alexander nearly blurted out asking if she’d consider rekindling their old flame. But he swallowed the words—getting rejected under such a beautiful sunset would be too cruel.

Silently, he pushed the stroller, walking slowly beside her. Now, his mind was entirely occupied by her earlier words, leaving no room to dwell on the glances still directed at Evelyn.

At least with him here, no one would dare get close.

By the time they circled back to the starting point, the bespectacled guy was long gone—likely too embarrassed to stay.