Chapter 867

Evelyn Carter opened her eyes to find herself in her familiar bedroom.

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled patterns across the bedsheets.

Her hand instinctively moved to rest on her abdomen.

"You're awake." Alexander Hamilton's voice came from beside the bed, tinged with cautious relief.

She turned to meet his conflicted gaze.

"I..." Her lips parted, but words failed her.

Alexander handed her a glass of warm water, his fingers trembling slightly. "The doctor confirmed you're eight weeks pregnant."

The steam from the water curled before her eyes as she accepted the glass.

She should have known.

Olivia Lightfoot's hesitant expression during her last fainting spell. The unexplained exhaustion these past weeks. And... that possibility she'd deliberately ignored.

"I know," she finally whispered, her voice feather-light.

Alexander's breath hitched audibly.

He slowly knelt beside the bed, meeting her at eye level. "Evelyn, I—"

Those usually calculating eyes now brimmed with uncertainty and hope.

She turned her face away.

Memories flooded back—the despair of her last pregnancy, the blinding surgical lights, the endless sleepless nights.

"I haven't decided," she heard herself say.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

"I understand." His voice roughened. "Whatever you choose, I'll respect it."

His hand hovered midair before finally settling on the edge of her blanket.

Evelyn stared at those distinctive knuckles.

These hands had signed countless business deals, yet now lacked the courage to touch her.

"The baby's only the size of a peanut right now," she murmured.

Alexander's lashes fluttered. "I know."

"Medically speaking, it's not even considered a life yet."

"I know."

Suddenly her eyes burned.

The cold surgical instruments. The sting of antiseptic.

"I can't go through that again—" Her voice broke.

Alexander's head snapped up.

Seeing her unshed tears, his heart clenched violently.

"Evelyn..." His outstretched hand froze between them.

She drew a steadying breath. "I'll keep it."

His expression froze.

As if he hadn't heard correctly—or feared he'd misheard.

"You're..."

"I'm saying I'll have this baby." Firmer this time.

Light ignited in Alexander's eyes.

He ached to embrace her but restrained himself, fingers twisting into the sheets instead.

"Thank you." His voice cracked. "Thank you, Evelyn."

Seeing his red-rimmed eyes, something inside her softened.

"But I have conditions."

"Name them." Instant agreement. "Anything."

"First—we maintain our current relationship status."

"Done."

"Second—I won't quit my job during the pregnancy."

"Of course."

"Third..." She hesitated. "You handle explaining to your family."

Without pause: "I'll tell them I have commitment issues. That I refused to marry."

Evelyn arched a brow. "Margaret Hamilton will murder you."

"Doesn't matter." A tear escaped as he smiled. "As long as you and the baby are safe, nothing else does."

She turned away but couldn't hide her quirked lips.

"Idiot," she muttered.

Alexander heard it—and beamed like a child given candy.

Gently, he covered her hand with his. Together, they cradled the promise of new life.

Sunlight bathed them in quiet gold.