Chapter 776

Water droplets still clung to Alexander Hamilton's hair, dampening the collar of his dress shirt. Oblivious, he remained lost in thought, pondering Evelyn Carter's words.

"Your shirt's getting wet again," Evelyn couldn't help but remind him.

Alexander snapped out of his reverie and turned to fetch the hairdryer.

A soft whimper suddenly came from the crib. Baby Chloe's tiny face scrunched up in her sleep, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Evelyn rushed to the cradle in three quick strides, gently rocking it. Normally, the baby napped for at least three to four hours, but today she'd barely slept two.

The child's own cries startled her awake. Her damp eyes fluttered open, her little mouth trembling as fat tears spilled over.

Alexander's heart ached. He immediately scooped the baby into his arms, murmuring soothing words alongside Evelyn: "Shh, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are right here."

"Ma...Da..." the baby babbled indistinctly.

Evelyn's chest tightened. The child was missing her birth parents. Though Vincent Croix was unworthy of fatherhood, how could an innocent baby understand that? In her pure little world, parents meant safety and love.

She nearly blurted out "Mommy's here," but Bianca Langley had only left temporarily. Besides, Evelyn never considered herself maternal material.

Alexander seamlessly picked up the thread: "Daddy's right here."

Evelyn's eyes widened at him.

"Better than Vincent," Alexander stated matter-of-factly. "If someone refuses to be a father, I'll gladly step up."

He'd originally intended to be just a godfather, but after these months co-parenting with Evelyn, his feelings had shifted.

Evelyn hesitated. "Miss Langley isn't even divorced yet. Isn't this..."

"I only want to be her father," Alexander's voice turned gravelly, "not her mother's husband."

The words tangled like a tongue twister.

When Evelyn stayed silent, Alexander abruptly asked, "If I really pursued someone—whether Bianca or anyone else—would you mind?"

"No." The answer came too fast, almost instinctive.

The air froze solid.

Despite the blasting heater, Alexander felt icy to his core.

"Let me dry your hair." Evelyn turned to grab a towel.

Rising on tiptoes, her fingertips brushed his roots through the fabric. The moment they made contact, the storm clouds in Alexander's heart miraculously cleared.

Fine. If this arrangement satisfied Evelyn, he'd gladly maintain the status quo.

But human hearts are never content.

The man who'd sworn to be happy with things as they were now craved legitimacy.

Alexander smirked self-deprecatingly.

He left at the last possible minute before the dinner engagement. Speeding through traffic, he barely made it to the restaurant on time.

In the private room, a southern client was pouring tea for his wife. Noticing Alexander's arrival, the man carefully set down his wife's cup before rising to greet him.

"Mr. Hamilton, I heard you've been unwell. A small token."

The elegant gift box contained rare health supplements.

Alexander presented two reciprocal gifts—including a silk scarf specially selected for the client's wife.

The client beamed ear-to-ear. At their age, couples who remained this affectionate were rare. The sight made Alexander's heart twinge—this should have been his and Evelyn's future.

"Is your wife not joining us?" the client inquired curiously. "I heard Mrs. Hamilton is a renowned doctor. My wife's been eager to meet her."

Their circle still believed their divorce had been a sham.

Alexander forced a smile. "She's swamped with work. Not fond of social events."

"The Andersons' daughter, right? I have some ties with Old Anderson. He recently—"

The client's wife elbowed him into silence.

"Mr. Hamilton is being considerate," she chided her husband. "Not everyone drags their family everywhere like you do. Doctors are insanely busy!"

Realizing his faux pas, the client hastily raised his glass. "A penalty drink for me!"

Three rounds later, the conversation somehow circled back.

"Young and accomplished—why not have another child?" the tipsy client asked. "You two seem great with kids."

Alexander's grip on his wineglass tightened.