Chapter 958

Alexander ran his long fingers through his tousled hair, pushing the stray strands back to reveal his smooth forehead. A sudden memory made his lips curve upward. "By the way, we hit it off in Canada. Turns out he's actually from Hudson City."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "A fellow hometown boy? No wonder you managed to recruit him."

"Not just that." His deep eyes flickered with amusement, but the thought of the man's equally impressive career and striking looks set off alarm bells. He abruptly changed tack. "He hasn't been back in the country for years."

The clumsy pivot didn't escape her. "That's not what you were going to say, is it? Don't tell me it's someone I know?"

The bathroom fell silent except for the sound of running water.

Evelyn's eyes widened slightly. "Who is it?"

She racked her brain but couldn't recall knowing any architects.

Alexander pressed his lips together in frustration. "Victor Laurent. A year older than you. Went to Hudson High School but transferred abroad during senior year. You might've been classmates."

"Victor as in 'knowledgeable,' Laurent as in 'restraint'?" Her words tumbled out. "Tall, with a mole near his eye, fair-skinned?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Everything except the last part."

A sudden spark lit her eyes as she laughed. "We weren't just classmates—we shared the same homeroom. Top of the class, well-off family. Then he vanished overseas senior year without so much as a goodbye."

Mid-year transfers were rare enough to cause a stir, though the gossip was soon eclipsed by Vivian failing her college entrance exams.

The memory darkened Evelyn's expression. "If Victor had stayed, maybe Vivian wouldn't have had such a hard time. He was her best male friend. Period."

Alexander's voice tightened. "Were you two close?"

He was already regretting bringing Victor back. Ivy League pedigree, exceptional skills, seamless collaboration—none of it mattered now that "Evelyn's old friend" had entered the equation.

The steamy bathroom was making her lightheaded. Watching his jealous scowl, she braced herself against the sink with a laugh. "You're not seriously jealous of Victor, are you?"

He looked away, noticing her discomfort, and immediately moved to support her. "Let's get you somewhere cooler."

Fresh air helped. His expression remained tense, prompting another chuckle. "Just a bit stuffy in there. You look like I'm about to deliver any second."

"During my residency, I saw plenty of expectant fathers in the waiting room. Some looked ready to cry—it made even me nervous."

"What about the ones who weren't nervous?"

With just over four months until her due date, he needed to prepare.

Settling onto the sofa, she reminisced. "Some brought flowers and gifts. Others got so dizzy they nearly passed out. A few played video games right outside the delivery room..."

Hospital corridors had witnessed every emotion, though doctors could only observe.

His brow furrowed. "How could anyone focus on games while their wife was in labor?"

She smiled faintly. "Would panicking help? Childbirth is a woman's battle. As long as men don't make it harder, flowers and games are equally meaningless to me."

Not yet thirty, she'd already seen through life's illusions. With Alexander, she kept expectations low to avoid disappointment.

A long silence ended with his sigh. He had no rebuttal.

"I've reserved a private suite near your due date. Just come through safely." His omission of the baby spoke volumes.

Warmth bloomed in her chest. She could tell he meant it, even if the decision pained him.

"Relax. 'Mother or child' scenarios only happen in soap operas."

The words snapped him to full alert. He finished getting ready with military precision, as though he'd never been jet-lagged.

Calculating his brief nap in the tub, she worried about overwork. "Emily's still in Canada. Is Henry accompanying you to dinner tonight?"