Chapter 881

The weekend morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains.

Alexander Hamilton tiptoed into the bedroom, careful not to wake the sleeping Evelyn Carter. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Sleep a little longer. It's the weekend."

Evelyn blinked drowsily and glanced at the wall clock. "It's already nine..."

"You work so hard during the week. Weekends are for resting." He tucked the blanket around her. "The baby's downstairs playing with Peanut, but..."

"But what?" Evelyn immediately caught the hesitation in his voice.

"The cat tree collapsed."

She sat up instantly. "Is Peanut okay?"

"Don't worry, she's fine. That cat's nimble as ever." Alexander chuckled. "But our little one has quite the strength. She and Peanut brought the whole thing down together."

Evelyn considered this. "Seems she's got good motor skills. I'll talk to the early education teacher about it on Monday."

"Want to go shopping?" Alexander suggested. "We can get a new cat tree and pick up some clothes for her. I unpacked all those gifts—lots of toys and jewelry, but hardly any outfits."

Evelyn remembered the duck shoes Diana Roscente had sent. "She can wear those little duck shoes today."

Alexander picked up the unfinished decoration on the shoes. "These red eyes on the duck..."

"That's blush." Evelyn suppressed a laugh. "Vivian Dempsey insisted on it."

They shared an amused glance and dressed their daughter together. Since learning to walk, the toddler refused to be carried, preferring to bounce along on her own. With Evelyn's current condition, they brought the stroller just in case.

At the mall, Evelyn walked ahead with their skipping daughter while Alexander followed behind with the stroller like an attentive bodyguard. While browsing the pet supplies section, a familiar figure made Evelyn pause.

"Miss Winston?"

Sophia Winston turned, visibly startled. "Dr. Carter?"

Evelyn spoke sincerely, "At the resort hotel, I owe you thanks. If not for your warning, I might have fallen for Lydia Laurent's tricks."

Alexander's gaze softened as he looked at Sophia.

Her eyes landed on the child, lighting up. "Is this...?"

"Our daughter," Alexander answered naturally.

A flicker of surprise crossed Sophia's face before she masked it. "May I hold her? I run a small flower shop now. Life's been... decent."

Evelyn noticed the shadow that passed through her eyes at the mention of the shop. A former social butterfly now living a quiet life—only Sophia knew the bittersweetness of that transition.

"Of course." Evelyn smiled gently. "Where's your shop? I'd love to visit."

"Just on the pedestrian street behind here." Sophia carefully cradled the baby, a rare smile appearing. "It's small, but business is steady. Though sometimes, seeing young girls receive flowers... it reminds me of the past."

Evelyn's chest tightened, thinking of Bianca Langley—the woman whose life Vincent Croix had destroyed. Sensing her mood, Alexander quietly took her hand.

Sophia teased, "Still so in love. How enviable."

Only then did Evelyn realize their hands were entwined. She pulled away quickly. "He's just worried about losing track of the baby."

Alexander remained straight-faced. "There've been too many child abduction cases lately. Can't be too careful."

Sophia burst out laughing. "Mr. Hamilton, who here could possibly take your child except me? Are you two actually guarding against me?" She tickled the giggling toddler.

"That's not—" Evelyn started to explain.

"I'm joking!" Sophia's eyes crinkled with mirth. "Dr. Carter, when did you become so gullible? They say pregnancy brain lasts three years—you'd better recover soon, or Mr. Hamilton might trick you one day."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Next you'll say 'all men are scum,' won't you?"

"I was just about to—" Sophia began, then suddenly focused on Evelyn's loose blouse—