Chapter 774

Dark circles shadowed Evelyn's eyes, and her cheeks had grown thinner. Yet her gaze shone brighter than ever, like the most dazzling stars in the night sky.

Late at night at the dining table, she stirred the soup in her bowl with a tired but content smile. "I'll take care of the baby this weekend. You should rest."

Alexander's eyes lingered on her slender fingers, still marked from years of wearing medical gloves. He pushed a bowl of black chicken soup toward her. "I'm not tired. But you—you've been working nonstop for weeks, barely stopping to eat."

His voice carried hidden concern. Since Evelyn had returned to work, he'd become a regular at the hospital. From hot midnight meals to comfortable mattresses, the entire OB-GYN department knew him as their "Helping Hand."

"Now they're calling you Aladdin's lamp," Evelyn chuckled, the fine lines at her eyes softening under the light. "They say you grant all wishes."

Only the ticking of the wall clock filled the living room. Baby Chloe slept soundly in her crib, her rosy cheeks nestled in a soft blanket.

Alexander hesitated, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Tomorrow... would you like to catch a movie?"

"More free tickets from Vincent?" Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "He really has too much time on his hands."

At the mention of his playboy friend, Alexander's lips twitched. Vincent's usual tricks—flowers sent to Evelyn ended up at the nurses' station, Michelin-starred reservations turned into department dinners—never worked on her.

He knew better than anyone—flashy gestures could never win Evelyn's heart.

"If you don't want to go..." His voice trailed off.

Evelyn yawned, her eyelids drooping. "I just want to sleep..." Before she could finish, her head had already tilted back against the chair.

Gently, Alexander carried her to their bedroom, gazing at her exhausted yet peaceful face in the dark. He pulled out his phone and texted his assistant: Cancel all meetings tomorrow.

The next morning, the house was unusually quiet. A note on the table explained—the grandparents had gone on a group outing, even Auntie Wu had taken the day off.

Rubbing her eyes as she stepped out of the bedroom, Evelyn spotted Alexander preparing a bottle. "They're certainly enjoying themselves."

"I've got the baby," he said, expertly testing the milk's temperature. "Go freshen up. Breakfast will be ready soon."

The day flowed by like honey. Curled on the couch with Alexander's special floral tea, Evelyn mindlessly watched a reality show. No surgeries, no patient files—just sunlight painting patterns on the floor through the sheer curtains.

Until a dull thud came from the kitchen.

Alexander stood helpless before a geyser of water, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Droplets sprayed his face, dripping from his chin like a drenched puppy.

"Turn off the valve..." Evelyn's voice came from behind, laced with amused exasperation.

He froze. He'd researched tutorials, gathered tools, but forgotten the most basic step. Water dripped from his hair, pooling on the tiles.

Evelyn stepped forward and twisted the valve shut. The water stopped instantly, leaving only the sound of residual drops.

"I..." Alexander's ears burned. He wanted to be someone Evelyn could rely on, yet he'd bungled the simplest household task.

She handed him a towel, her eyes glimmering. "Take your time learning. No rush."

Her fingertips brushed his palm—warm and dry. In that moment, Alexander understood: this was what he truly wanted. Not perfection, but real companionship.