Chapter 84

"You mean how she looked as a teenager?"

"No, earlier." Alexander Hamilton's fingers tapped lightly against his glass. "Around seven or eight, a little girl with pigtails. I got lost in the woods during a family trip to visit our ancestors. She took my hand and led me out."

Gregory Wilson's mouth fell open. "So you and Annabelle were connected that far back?"

"Yes." Alexander's gaze softened. "I told myself then that I'd protect her for the rest of my life."

"You kept that promise."

"But..."

"But what?"

Alexander shook his head. "Nothing."

Only recently had he realized how sharply drawn the line was between friendship and love.

As friends, he could stand quietly by her side, content just to see her happy.

Now, these feelings felt like invisible chains, tightening around him until he could barely breathe.

...It was suffocating.

In the past, picking up Evelyn Carter from the hospital after work had filled him with anticipation.

Though reserved by nature, Evelyn revealed a sharp wit once you got to know her. She could make even mundane topics fascinating, switching effortlessly to her professional demeanor when discussing medical cases. Years of working with expectant mothers had honed her natural empathy.

There had only ever been two women in his life. In terms of integrity and kindness, Evelyn surpassed Annabelle by far.

As for Annabelle...

She was no longer the innocent girl from his memories.

"Alex, are you going to help me or not?" Gregory stamped his foot impatiently. "This girl is different—all the others were too easy. I'm serious about her!"

Alexander shot him a cold look. "Don't play with someone's feelings unless you mean it. Don't make the same mistakes I did."

"I do mean it! You'd understand if you saw her. That angelic face, but with a body that—"

"Is that all you care about?"

"Of course not!" Gregory pulled out his phone. "She actually messaged me through a virtual bottle—that playful attitude is exactly my type. Look at this photo... Hey, what are you—"

Alexander snatched the phone, his expression darkening instantly. "This is the girl you're talking about?"

"Yeah. You know her?"

In silence, Alexander turned his own phone screen toward Gregory.

Gregory leaned in, eyes widening. "Isn't that the girl from Vivian Dempsey's social media? Wait, if she's friends with Vivian, this'll be even easier. I'll just ask Vivian for her contact—"

"Stop." Alexander's voice could have frozen hell over.

"Why?"

Why?

A humorless smile curled Alexander's lips.

"Because she's my wife."