Chapter 99

Alexander Hamilton's lips twisted into a bitter smile, tugging at the cuts on his face. He winced in pain. "Got caught."

No need to ask who was responsible.

Evelyn Carter scoffed. "Margaret's condition is critical. I'm not a neurosurgeon, but my clinical experience tells me this is an emergency. Consider yourself warned."

Alexander paled instantly. "What's the exact cause?"

"Unclear. Could be a sudden spike in blood pressure from emotional distress, or a ruptured plaque in her arteries. Both are possible."

His voice trembled. "It must be our divorce... and the baby... It devastated her."

Evelyn refused to dwell on the past. "If she pulls through this time, you have to keep her from further stress. Or the consequences will be dire."

He understood her implication. "I'll keep Annabelle away from her."

"See that you do."

A flash of resolve crossed his eyes.

Evelyn had no interest in deciphering it.

"Evelyn." Alexander swallowed hard. "Nothing else to say to me?"

"One thing." She met his gaze directly. "When are we finalizing the divorce?"

He stiffened, brows furrowing. "Because of Dr. Wilson?"

"Because I'm buying a house." Her tone was icy. "I refuse to be thrown out on the street again."

A humorless laugh escaped him. "Worried about the settlement? I'm not that petty."

"Mr. Hamilton, post-divorce property is my business. But purchasing during marriage requires spousal consent. Understood?"

He nodded slowly.

"I'll schedule it and notify you."

"Make it quick. That development sells fast. Good units will be gone."

"Which one? I could—"

"Not necessary."

"..."

"We're done here. You can leave."

When he didn’t move, she prompted, "Don’t let your mistress misunderstand again. I’ll be the one suffering for it."

After a long pause, he murmured, "Right. My apologies."

"And stop acting like my husband outside divorce proceedings. I have some dignity left."

......

Later, Olivia Lightfoot recounted the drama outside the ER with relish.

"Code blue inside, screaming match outside." Crunching on crackers, she shook her head. "You dodged a missile, Dr. Carter. That homewrecker’s a legend now. The whole hospital knows Mr. Hamilton married a she-devil. Serves him right."

Evelyn scrolled through real estate listings. "Let him be. He's obsessed."

She shut her laptop and grabbed her coat.

Olivia blinked. "You’re clocking out early?"

"Took two hours off. Errands."

At the civil affairs bureau, Alexander was already waiting.

She approached with her documents, scanning the area. "No Ms. Taylor?"

He shook his head. "Our divorce doesn’t concern her."

"Thought you’d do a twofer. Divorce here, marry there. Efficient."

His jaw tightened at "marry." "Drop it. Let’s go in."

Near closing time, the office was empty.

Evelyn handed her papers to the clerk. "Divorce filing."

The clerk checked them. "The husband’s documents?"

Silently, Alexander produced his ID.

"Assets settled?"

"The agreement specifies no disputes."

"Properties, stocks count as marital assets. Jewelry, gold bars—"

Evelyn cut in. "I’m leaving with nothing."