Chapter 905

"Your hands are perfect for manicures," Evelyn remarked softly.

Her gaze lingered on Alexander's slender fingers, her tone genuine.

Alexander's lips curved slightly. "Actually, I almost threw up earlier."

Lately, he'd been like this. The slightest discomfort from Evelyn triggered an even stronger reaction in him. It was as if his body had installed sensors, detecting her unease before she even noticed it herself.

"How long has this been going on?" Evelyn frowned slightly.

She turned to study him with focused eyes—her professional demeanor when facing patients. Yet it warmed Alexander's heart.

Accustomed to dealing with female patients, Evelyn always spoke gently. She didn't realize there was anything unusual about her current attitude toward Alexander.

"Since last Monday," Alexander kept his eyes on the road. "The day I had Henry deliver lunch to you."

Evelyn arched a brow. "So skipping meals together has this effect?"

Suspecting he was up to something, she nodded. "Any loss of appetite or dizziness? Then you'd better keep your distance."

Alexander slammed the brakes, barely stopping the car at the roadside. "Is it contagious?"

Their prenatal class was just around the corner. If he really fell ill now, he'd have to watch Evelyn face it alone. The thought made his vision darken.

Evelyn burst into laughter. Only then did Alexander realize she was teasing him.

"It's called couvade syndrome," she explained seriously. "One in four expectant fathers experiences similar symptoms due to anxiety about pregnancy."

"Staying away from me might help. As for contagion..." She chuckled. "We eat together every day. If it were contagious, you'd have caught it by now."

Alexander's heart skipped a beat. The phrase "expectant partner" set off fireworks in his chest. He suppressed his rising smile, afraid she might retract the words.

Even after returning home, the glow in his eyes remained undimmed.

"You seem happy," Margaret pulled him aside. "Did the proposal go well?"

Noticing his own radiant reflection in the glass cabinet, Alexander quickly rubbed his face. "We're celebrating Aunt Grace and Aunt Lin's birthdays this weekend. Could you help pick gifts?"

This diversion tactic never failed.

"Now you tell me!" Margaret immediately got sidetracked, hurrying upstairs. "I need to prepare right away."

Alexander exhaled in relief, carrying a fruit platter back to Evelyn. "My mother's becoming more impatient lately."

Without looking up, Evelyn replied, "Typical menopausal symptoms. Just ensure proper sleep and mood stability."

Alexander fell silent, quietly picking up a navel orange. He meticulously peeled away every strand of pith, his movements as delicate as unwrapping a gift.

These were specially airfreighted for her. Lately Evelyn craved sour flavors but would only eat this particular variety.

"That's enough." Evelyn pushed the plate away. "Did you handle the hospital matter?"

"Yes." Alexander admitted outright. "Those comments were too harsh."

He devoured the remaining orange in two bites, seeds and all.

"What if I really did have issues with that patient?" Evelyn suddenly asked.

"You know how to separate personal from professional," Alexander pinpointed accurately.

Indeed she did. Even embroiled in medical disputes, Evelyn always maintained boundaries. When Olivia wanted to defend her, Evelyn had talked her down.

But she never anticipated how deeply that patient on the bed already hated her—merely too weak to act on it yet.

Alexander asked no further questions. If she didn't volunteer, he wouldn't pry.