Chapter 861

Vivian Dempsey swiftly grabbed her coat. "You look pale. Put this on."

They'd been inseparable since college, even sharing closets.

Evelyn Carter shook her head gently. "No need. The sun's out, and you're all dressed so beautifully. I'd ruin the mood bundled up like a dumpling."

A faint smile touched her lips, but they were nearly translucent with pallor.

Alexander Hamilton rose discreetly and requested a cashmere throw from the server. As he leaned in to drape it over her shoulders, his whisper brushed her ear. "Your cycle's due soon. Don't catch a chill."

Her fingers twitched.

He remembered. But this time—there would be no cycle. Not ever again. The thought constricted her chest, dragging her back to that sterile examination room.

"Evelyn?" Vivian waved a hand before her glazed eyes. "Earth to Dr. Carter?"

Bianca Langley smoothly redirected. "Shall we order?"

When the menu reached Evelyn, her usual steamed sea bass held no appeal. Her tongue craved something sharper.

"Rosé crab pasta. Extra chili flakes." She hesitated. "And hot hibiscus tea."

Three pairs of eyes snapped toward her.

Alexander's brow furrowed. He recalled how she'd coughed violently from tom yum soup last Thai dinner—she despised spicy-sour flavors.

"Since when?" Vivian eyed Alexander suspiciously. "Did someone pressure you into this?"

Evelyn chuckled. "Don't be absurd. Just a craving."

She casually added a salad, but her nails dug crescent moons into the menu's leather cover.

The meal passed in distracted silence.

When Bianca set down her napkin and mentioned "adoption paperwork," Vivian's fork clattered against her plate.

"You're giving up the baby—" She bit her tongue.

Bianca traced the rim of her wineglass. "I should've done this sooner. If I'd left completely back then, Chloe wouldn't have suffered through..."

The air turned viscous.

Evelyn clenched the throw over her lap. That morning's double-lined pregnancy test burned in her memory. As Bianca spoke, her lower abdomen tightened.

"Miss Langley," her voice scraped raw, "she'll always be your flesh and blood. I don't want you living with regrets."

Alexander's head jerked up. They'd agreed to co-parent.

Vivian glanced between them and wisely stayed mute.

Bianca suddenly laughed, her eyes glistening. "You saw right through me, Dr. Carter. And here I thought my acting was convincing."

Last night in the guest room, she'd stared at the ceiling until dawn. At first light, the mirror had reflected a woman with bloodshot eyes—a cornered animal.