Chapter 1000

Alexander's fingers tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white. He feared Evelyn had fabricated this lie just to comfort him.

Feeling his tremor, Evelyn gently squeezed his hand in return. "It's true. If you don't believe me, you can feel for yourself. Or..." She paused, the corners of her lips lifting. "Come with me to my prenatal checkup next week? Olivia said they're two very healthy babies—a boy and a girl."

Alexander's breath hitched. Twins? He blinked mechanically, terrified this was just a beautiful dream. His heart pounded violently against his ribs, as if trying to break free. He pulled Evelyn into an embrace but caught himself at the last second, his arms hovering loosely around her waist.

The warm glow of the bedside lamp bathed the room in honeyed light, while the gentle hum of the heater brushed through their hair. Evelyn's cheeks gleamed like pearls under the soft illumination. Though her face had rounded slightly from pregnancy, her cool, composed eyes remained unchanged.

Compelled by some inexplicable force, Alexander lowered his head, his lips barely grazing her earlobe—a fleeting touch, almost imperceptible.

"Sorry, I'm just... too happy," he rasped, his voice rough with emotion. "I thought..."

Evelyn chuckled, tapping his forehead with her fingertip. "I know."

Their gazes met, unspoken words flowing between them. Just as Alexander leaned in again, a shrill ringtone shattered the quiet.

His expression darkened instantly, and he muted the call without hesitation. His fingers had barely brushed Evelyn's sleeve when she nudged him away. "Answer it."

"But—"

"At this hour? It must be urgent." She pointed at the wall clock. "What if it's a company emergency?"

Alexander gritted his teeth, pressing his forehead to hers. "Ignore it. Shouldn't we celebrate today?"

"Celebrate at 1 AM?" She poked his chest, exasperated. "Mr. Hamilton, pregnant women need sleep."

The ringing finally stopped. He exhaled in relief—only for Evelyn's phone to vibrate wildly.

They exchanged a glance and sighed in unison.

Alexander bent to retrieve her phone, deliberately avoiding the screen. Evelyn frowned at the unfamiliar number—Emily always called Alexander directly. Why would—

"Oh god, Vivian's cutting me off!" Victor's wail exploded through the speaker, startling Evelyn so badly she nearly dropped the phone.

Without missing a beat, Alexander steadied her and guided her to sit, then began massaging her swollen ankles with practiced ease.

"What happened?" Evelyn was baffled. Vivian had forgiven Victor for leaving without a word—why the sudden hostility?

Frantic rustling came through the line. "I just tried copying Simon's whole 'green tea' act to show her we're more compatible... and she said it made her skin crawl!" Victor's voice pitched higher. "Then I asked if she’s into Simon now!"

Evelyn and Alexander facepalmed simultaneously. This wasn't love-induced stupidity—this was a complete IQ wipeout.

After a long silence, Victor ventured weakly, "Did I... say the wrong thing?"

"What do you think?" Evelyn's temple throbbed, half-afraid prolonged exposure to this idiocy might be contagious.

Alexander took the phone, noting his own 99+ missed calls with an arched brow. "Never, under any circumstances, ask that question."

On his hospital bed, Victor stared blankly at the ceiling, gnawing his nails in despair. The switch in speakers didn't surprise him—where else would they be at this hour? He should've known.

Seeing Evelyn's drowsy eyes, Alexander decided to wrap this up. "Listen. Three things." He held up fingers. "First, stop imitating Simon immediately. Second, buy sunflowers and wait outside the Dempsey building. Third—" A pause. "Find the brain cells you lost."