Chapter 750

The central lounge area of the mall had been temporarily converted into a survey site. Staff members enthusiastically greeted passing shoppers: "Welcome to our family relationship study! Complete the questionnaire for a chance to win exquisite gifts!"

Alexander Hamilton's gaze settled on the arranged tables and chairs. Several families were already seated—couples nestled together affectionately, parents with their children. He glanced down at the sleeping baby in the stroller, then turned to Evelyn Carter. "Shall we give it a try?"

Evelyn had meant to refuse. The three of them weren’t a real family, and participating in such a survey seemed inappropriate. But the hopeful glint in Alexander’s eyes made her nod before she could think better of it.

A staff member handed them two questionnaires but directed them to separate seats. "To ensure the authenticity of the survey, please answer independently."

Only then did Evelyn notice the other families were also seated apart. In most cases, the mothers tended to the children while the fathers sat nearby. She couldn’t help but smile wryly—this was just the societal norm.

Alexander, however, pushed the stroller to the other side without hesitation, standing out conspicuously among the cluster of mothers.

The questions caught Evelyn off guard. The first half was entirely about intimate partner details: the scene of their first meeting, favorite foods, daily habits... This wasn’t a family survey—it was a compatibility test for couples.

Flipping to the back, she understood the intention. Family atmosphere was undeniably tied to marital harmony. Only when parents shared a loving bond could children thrive.

The final section consisted of multiple-choice questions on parenting philosophies. Evelyn carefully considered each one and marked her answers, completing the questionnaire within the allotted time.

Alexander had already turned in his form and was chatting with other parents, exchanging childcare tips. His effortless charm made him seem like a natural-born father.

Unconsciously, Evelyn’s lips curved into a smile. As if sensing her gaze, Alexander immediately wrapped up his conversation and wheeled the stroller back to her.

"We should score high on this one," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

Evelyn chuckled. "I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. The final score averages both answers, and there were a few questions I couldn’t answer."

Alexander, captivated by her rare smile, couldn’t care less about the score. He was already contemplating whether to contact the organizers privately to arrange an additional prize.

The results were announced swiftly. To everyone’s surprise, the highest score went to this pair of "new parents."

"Congratulations!" the staff member beamed. "Who would’ve thought a newlywed couple would know each other best?"

Evelyn and Alexander exchanged a glance but didn’t correct the assumption. By now, they were used to being mistaken for a family.

But when they saw the prize, both froze. An entire box of children’s picture books, stacked taller than Alexander himself.

"Can these be mailed?" Evelyn blurted out, reciting the address of the Hamilton family estate. The words left her mouth before she realized how naturally they’d come. She was about to correct herself when Alexander gently stopped her.

"It’d be too troublesome to ship this many books to the apartment," he murmured, a trace of grievance in his tone. "Let’s just take them straight to the estate."

Evelyn didn’t object. Alexander had indeed shouldered most of the physical labor these past days, and she couldn’t bear to burden him further.

Before leaving, Alexander couldn’t resist asking, "That last question about having another child—what did you choose?"

He confessed first: "I picked ‘willing.’ More kids mean a livelier home."

The question held profound significance for them. The child they’d lost remained a shared wound in their hearts.

Evelyn’s gaze softened. "Me too."

Alexander’s throat moved, his voice trembling slightly. "Does this count as... being in sync?"