Chapter 918

Grace Anderson noticed Evelyn's exhaustion but said nothing more, retreating to the kitchen. Soon, a neat row of dumplings filled the freezer.

Evelyn dragged her heavy steps upstairs. The moment the door closed, she finally let her guard down. The ache in her lower back made lying flat impossible, forcing her to half-recline against the headboard, hands gently cradling her swollen belly.

The burden of twins arrived earlier and weighed heavier than a single pregnancy.

Soft footsteps approached outside. Alexander Hamilton entered just as she winced while adjusting her position. He moved silently to the bedside, his warm palm pressing against the small of her back with perfect pressure.

Evelyn kept her eyes closed, lashes fluttering faintly. She didn’t need to look to know who it was.

"Thanks," she murmured.

Alexander paused mid-motion, meeting her weary gaze. "This is what I should be doing." His Adam’s apple bobbed. "The babies are ours. I can’t bear this for you, but I can try to make it easier."

Evelyn opened her eyes. "I wasn’t talking about that." A beat. "Did Olivia tell you about the hospital?"

His timing had been too precise, as if prepared.

Alexander’s eyes flickered. He’d never planned to hide it. "The dean did."

Evelyn chuckled. "So the cafeteria contractor and office supply donor was you." She tilted her head. "Why keep it a secret?"

"I worried you’d..." His voice dropped. "Think I was interfering with your work."

His caution softened her heart.

"You underestimate me." A faint smile touched her lips. "I’ve dreamed of upgrading our equipment. The savings from operational costs can finally update our instruments."

Seeing her genuine lack of resentment, Alexander exhaled in relief. "If needed, I can arrange the best legal team—"

"No." Evelyn shook her head. "Medical Affairs will handle it. Dr. Porter and I acted with clear consciences, but outsiders will see it as bullying. As long as my license isn’t revoked, I can accept it."

Her tone was calm, but deep guilt shadowed her eyes.

Alexander saw through her. "It wasn’t your fault."

"I know." Her smile turned bitter. "But I just... can’t stop feeling guilty. If I’d been firmer back then—"

That motherless child had become a thorn in her heart.

Alexander had no words. He wasn’t a doctor; he couldn’t comprehend the professional guilt. All he could do was squeeze her hand, silently sharing his warmth.

No one expected Alexander’s reaction that night to be more intense than Evelyn’s.

She woke at midnight to noises in the bathroom. Pushing the door open, she found Alexander hunched over the sink, retching, his face ghostly pale.

"Stomach acting up?" Her first instinct was to fetch medicine.

He shook his head. "No... suddenly smelled something foul—" Another dry heave cut him off.

Evelyn froze. The symptoms... why did they seem so familiar?

"You don’t have..." Realization struck. "Couvade Syndrome?"

Alexander looked up blankly.

"Basically, when expectant fathers empathize so deeply with their pregnant partners that their bodies mimic pregnancy symptoms," she explained. "It’s not an illness. It’ll pass."

After hearing this, a faint smile broke through his pallor. "So... this is how I get to share what you’re feeling."

Evelyn studied the redness at the corners of his eyes and sighed. "There’s an easy solution—stay away from me."

"No." His refusal was absolute. "I’ll vomit until delivery if I have to."

Watching his stubbornness, Evelyn suddenly understood—perhaps this was love. Willingly bearing even the smallest fraction of another’s pain.