Chapter 879

Baby Chloe's first birthday party was a grand celebration, with smiles lighting up every guest's face. Yet as night fell, the item Bianca Langley mentioned in her suicide note still hadn't surfaced. Evelyn Carter stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her fingertips absently tracing the rim of her glass.

The staff bustled about cleaning the banquet hall. Anthony and Teresa Taylor, concerned for their daughter, had urged her to rest early. Though not particularly tired, Evelyn acquiesced to her parents' worried glances and retreated to her bedroom.

The silence here was so profound she could hear leaves rustling outside.

Alexander Hamilton saw off the last guest, then frowned at the mountain of gifts. Unwrapping all those elaborately packaged boxes would likely take half a day.

"Alex," Margaret Hamilton approached, her gaze lingering on the presents. "If you two married, these would've been wedding gifts."

Rubbing his temples, Alexander sighed. "Mom, let's discuss this another time."

"If I don't bring it up, who will?" Margaret's earlier cheerfulness turned sharp. "Look at the Lins' son—his child is already in preschool!"

Grace Anderson, whose opinion of Alexander had recently improved, immediately stiffened. "Evelyn's always been sensible. Now that her father's gone, I won't let her suffer any indignities. Mr. Hamilton, what exactly are your intentions?"

Anthony and Teresa stood nearby, silent but visibly anxious.

"I—I'll go check on my sister!" Emily Anderson blurted, seizing the chance to escape. At the stairwell, she turned back and added, "Mom, don't be too harsh!"

Grace shook her head, torn between irritation and amusement. "That girl—always taking others' sides!"

Emily sprinted to Evelyn's door and burst in. "Sis! Emergency! Alex is getting interrogated by the tribunal!"

Evelyn paused while folding Baby Chloe's clothes. "What happened?"

"Mom and the Taylors have him cornered," Emily gestured dramatically. "Demanding to know his true feelings. Sis, if he treats you so well, why won't he marry you?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes, fingers twisting a fabric edge. "Maybe... the past left him with scars."

"Huh?" Emily gaped. "Shouldn't you be the one traumatized?"

"We... both are." Her voice was featherlight, though she knew Alexander was shouldering this burden for her.

Emily pondered. "So this is the legendary gamophobia?"

"Every situation differs." Evelyn smoothed her sister's hair. "You're young—don't let our issues affect you. Love is something you only understand through experience."

She studied Emily's youthful face, wishing her sister's path would be smoother.

"Sis," Emily suddenly whispered, leaning close. "Do you think... you and Alex are right for each other?"

Outside the door, Alexander's raised hand froze mid-knock.

The room held its breath for seconds.

"Used to it." Evelyn's murmur was barely audible. "I did hate him once. But after everything... the thought of him leaving like Dad did hurts. This... is fine."

Alexander's fingers clenched. His chest constricted as if struck. He retreated silently, deliberately scuffing his shoes before knocking.

"Come in." Evelyn's tone was steady now.

He entered with his usual calm smile. "Is the baby asleep? There are too many gifts downstairs—want to take her to see?"

Emily's eyes bulged at his composure.

"Not yet." Evelyn's gaze softened toward the toddler playing on the rug. After a hesitation, she asked, "Earlier... did you run into trouble?"

"Minor issues." His shrug was effortless. "All handled."

Emily scooped up Baby Chloe. "I'll take little Easy to unwrap presents!"

Once the door shut, Evelyn murmured, "My mother... didn't make things difficult?"

"It's expected." Alexander chuckled. "I told them nonmarital partnerships are trending—future kids can take your surname. They weren't thrilled, but it got us through tonight."