Chapter 883

Alexander Hamilton's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel after listening to Evelyn Carter's story. "So you never bought that last hydrangea bouquet, did you?"

Evelyn's lashes lowered. "Emily said she didn't like it after seeing the price. She dragged me to look at regular hydrangeas instead, claiming they were prettier. But I saw how long she'd stared at those white ones."

Children who've known poverty understand—some desires remain unspoken. Now that life was better, she wanted to give her sister everything she'd missed.

Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed, a dull ache spreading through his chest. How he wished time could reverse, letting him recognize this stubborn yet tender woman sooner.

On the university campus that weekend, they looked like any young couple revisiting their alma mater with their toddling child. Only they knew the years of each other's youth they'd missed.

He'd deliberately dressed casually today, his gold-rimmed glasses softening his sharp features until he truly resembled a young professor. As Evelyn texted Emily their location, he bent to brush petals from their daughter's hair, his profile impossibly gentle.

Nearby, female students whispered.

"Is that a new professor? So handsome!"

"Stop drooling—can't you see he's married with a kid?"

"But he's absolutely dreamy. Just one photo wouldn't hurt..."

Evelyn was about to intervene when a figure came barreling toward them.

"Sis!"

Emily skidded to a stop like an overexcited fawn, nearly knocking Evelyn over with her hug. Alexander's pupils constricted, almost tipping the stroller.

"White hydrangeas!" Emily's eyes sparkled as she spread her arms for another tackle. Alexander swiftly intercepted, producing two snack bags. "Your sister bought these specially for you."

Emily glanced at Evelyn for confirmation before accepting them gleefully. A classmate asked, "These your relatives?"

"My big sister! She's a doctor at Central Hospital!" Emily jutted her chin proudly. "Top of her class at Hudson Medical, studied abroad on scholarship!"

The girls instantly brightened. Compared to an unavailable man, an accomplished career woman was far more inspiring.

Alexander tactfully retreated, guiding their daughter through drifts of rose petals. Amid the pink-and-white snowfall, he played with the little girl like a professional stay-at-home dad.

"Dr. Carter," a student ventured, "did you and your husband meet in college? How do you balance career and family?"

Evelyn watched the distant figure crouching to collect petals, her lips curving. "Actually, you should ask him."

These days, she didn't need to balance anything—Alexander arranged it all flawlessly. School runs, meals, chores—he handled them better than professional nannies.

"Then..." The girl blushed. "How do you know if someone's worth it?"

Evelyn gazed at the swirling petals. "Time will show you."

Once she'd thought she understood, only to fall and shatter. Later she vowed never to look back, yet he'd stubbornly waited. Now, she simply cherished this hard-won peace.