Chapter 76

"Dr. Carter..."

"Relax, it's just a photo."

Olivia hesitated before handing over the cookie. "These are seriously amazing—zero fat and limited edition..."

The moment Evelyn snapped the picture, Olivia snatched the treat back.

"I told you not to repay me."

Olivia's eyes lit up. "You're giving it to me? I love you!"

Evelyn held up a hand to block her enthusiastic lunge. "You helped tremendously during that last surgery. I'll supply your cookies for six months."

"Ahhh! You're the best!"

Eventually, Olivia supported Evelyn out of the hospital and watched her taxi pull away.

Inside the cab, Evelyn opened her messages.

[Vivian: ?]

[Evelyn: Get me 200 boxes of these cookies]

[Vivian: Opening a convenience store?]

[Evelyn: Thank-you gift. For that nurse]

[Vivian: Got it. Five extra boxes?]

[Evelyn: Three for you, two to repay a favor]

[Vivian: What favor costs that much?]

[Evelyn: Emotional debt]

......

The next morning.

Vivian insisted on driving her. "Anything Alexander can do, I can do better."

Evelyn frowned at the bandage on her leg—all her dresses were at Alexander's place.

"I've got the perfect thing!" Vivian pulled out a sky-blue chiffon maxi dress. "It'll cover the wound."

Evelyn held it up skeptically. "The neckline..."

"That's called elegance! Hurry up, we're late."

The bloodmobile departed at 7:30 AM, and rush hour traffic was brutal.

When Evelyn emerged wearing the dress, Vivian whistled.

The fitted silhouette accentuated her curves, with collarbones peeking through the delicate neckline. The chiffon floated around her like morning mist.

"Alexander must be blind." Vivian snapped a dozen photos.

Evelyn sighed. "We'll really be late if you keep this up."

"Almost done!" Vivian adjusted the filter. "Perfection!"

At the bloodmobile, nurses were unloading equipment.

"I'm going in." Evelyn opened the car door.

Vivian waved without looking up, fingers flying across her screen.

Three minutes later, her social media updated:

A nine-photo grid featured Evelyn's profile, the sky-blue dress rippling in the dawn breeze.

Caption: [More radiant after widowhood]