Chapter 788

"This trip abroad was just meant to settle my family and take a breather." Bianca Langley swirled her glass, ice cubes clinking softly. "Never expected to run into this clueless junior at my alma mater who immediately called me 'senior.'"

A playful smile danced on her lips, eyes glinting with mirth.

Evelyn Carter caught the honeyed undertone. "What's he like?"

After the Vincent Croix debacle, character was Evelyn's foremost concern.

"Total dork." Bianca feigned disdain, yet joy radiated from her every expression.

Alexander Hamilton set down his drink. "Are you two together?"

"Not there yet." She propped her chin on her hand. "At first I just wanted to tease him—divorce papers pending, savoring that 'married-but-flirting' thrill. But then..."

She paused, her smile softening.

"Does he know about Baby Chloe?" Evelyn pressed.

Though silent, Alexander's gaze turned grave.

"I told him when he confessed." Bianca's eyes shimmered. "Guess what he said?"

Mimicking his earnest tone: "'What does that have to do with my feelings? Worried I won't step up as dad? Should I enroll in early childhood education courses?'"

Laughter erupted from the trio.

"Charming lad. Same field as you?" Evelyn asked.

"Direct junior." Bianca twirled her glass. "Only downside—he's three years younger. The year I married, he was just a freshman."

At the age gap mention, her expression flickered momentarily.

Unnoticing, Evelyn reassured, "Three years is nothing in med school."

Bianca quickly rallied, teasing, "Exactly. If Mr. Hamilton here misbehaves, I'll introduce you to some adorable younger pups."

"Drink." Alexander clinked glasses, scowling.

As they parted, Evelyn offered to see Bianca home, but was declined. Watching Bianca's solitary figure at the bar, she sighed softly.

The night breeze carried a chill.

Alexander naturally draped an arm around Evelyn's shoulders, only releasing her at the car. Buckling up, his lips curved unconsciously.

"When Bianca mentioned the age gap earlier, you seemed... pensive?" Evelyn suddenly asked.

Alexander rubbed his nose. "Vincent was also three years older than her."

He studied Evelyn's face warily, fearing she'd draw parallels to their own history.

"Age means nothing." Evelyn stared ahead. "What matters is happiness. That boy may be young, but he's responsible."

Alexander hesitated. "Though mature men have merits too... better at cherishing."

"Patting your own back?" Evelyn arched a brow.

"The secretaries keep gushing how younger men are trending." He sulked. "Couldn't exactly rebut them on the spot."

Evelyn stifled a laugh. "The mighty Alexander Hamilton eavesdropping on office girls?"

"They were chatting by the conference room." His ears flushed pink.

The following week, they were inseparable. Unaware colleagues assumed reconciliation, oblivious to the silent ache beneath their默契.

In the nursery, Evelyn meticulously arranged Baby Chloe's belongings—nightlight, plush toys, favorite storybooks—each item misting her eyes.

Alexander wordlessly brought vacuum bags, compressing fluffy pillows into flat squares. Diapers filled every suitcase crevice, no corner spared.

When he hefted the weighty luggage, his arm muscles strained. The physical burden was but a fraction of the heartache within.