Chapter 162

Evelyn Sinclair slowly pushed herself up from the bed, fingers combing through her disheveled hair.

She lifted the water glass, but the warm liquid sliding down her throat couldn't dissolve the knot in her chest.

Alexander Kingsley had come for her after all.

Yesterday at PetStar factory, he'd been unexpectedly restrained when taking her away, even politely returning her to Horizon Media.

That detached demeanor almost made her believe he'd truly accepted the news about the Kingsleys adopting her...

Bang!

The bedroom door shuddered from a heavy impact.

Evelyn pulled it open to reveal the tense standoff in her small living room.

Alexander stood at the entryway, flanked by security teams locked in confrontation.

These men from the same protection agency now faced off like enemies.

"Everyone out," Evelyn said softly.

The bodyguards hesitated before finally withdrawing.

The air turned glacial.

Alexander's gaze, sharp as ice, pinned her in place.

She moved to the water dispenser, pouring a glass and setting it on the coffee table. "Have a seat."

He didn't budge.

"Was this what you wanted to tell me last time?" Alexander's voice could freeze hell.

Evelyn's lashes fluttered. "Yes."

"When was it decided?" He advanced like a predator.

"After my last hospitalization." She met his question squarely.

Alexander gave a mirthless laugh. "Who else in the Kingsley family doesn't know?"

The question hung between them like a blade.

Evelyn lifted her eyes. "Just you."

Those three words made his jaw clench.

"And outside the family?"

"You found out the same time they did."

He nodded, frost gathering in his eyes.

Perfect.

He'd been the last to know.

After thirteen years under the Kingsley roof, they'd kept her at arm's length because of her childhood vow to "marry Alexander."

Now she'd changed her mind, and they'd invented a new way to keep her.

In this happy family reunion, only he stood excluded.

"Evelyn," he suddenly closed the distance, "you shared my bed for five years. Since when do siblings do that?"

"So," she held his gaze, "it won't happen again."

Alexander's pupils contracted.

"All to escape me?" His voice roughened. "You hate me that much?"

He seized her collar, yanking her close.

"You think becoming a Kingsley will stop me? Who could prevent what I want?"

Evelyn didn't flinch. "Unless you no longer care about the family's reputation."

"You know what I care about." His words came through gritted teeth. "Losing you makes everything else meaningless."

He bent suddenly, teeth sinking into her neck.

Evelyn gasped at the pain, familiar dizziness washing over her.

"Let go—" Her breath fragmented.

Alexander released her abruptly.

Straightening, he watched coldly as she collapsed onto the sofa, face drained of color.

"There's only one way into the Kingsley family." He turned to leave. "You know it."

......

At Kingsbury Manor at dawn, the Patriarch walked arm-in-arm with Madeline Kingsley.

They'd barely exited their rooms when the figure in the hallway startled them.

Alexander leaned against the wall, eyes bloodshot.

"Cancel the banquet." No preamble.

The Patriarch erupted. "Invitations are already sent!"

"Alex," Madeline caught his arm anxiously, "with the Kingsley name, Evelyn will have better marriage prospects."

Alexander sneered. "Even you can't accept her infertility, yet expect others to cherish her?"

"Outrageous!" The Patriarch thundered. "The problem is Evelyn doesn't want you!"

"Have you considered, Grandfather," Alexander countered, "she might be refusing for the family's sake?"

The old man faltered.

"Stop poisoning your father's mind!" Eleanor Kingsley ascended the stairs. "We all know why Evelyn left you."

Her husband followed. "Who pushed her to this?"

Eleanor's icy gaze swept over her son. "Anyone who stops me from claiming my daughter today is no son of mine."

......

Evelyn never expected Mrs. Ashford's visit.

The phone call claiming she waited downstairs seemed a joke.

Until she lifted the curtain to see the parasol-holding figure in the garden.

Courtesy compelled her downstairs.

"Evelyn dear," Mrs. Ashford seized her hands warmly, "why keep such wonderful news secret?"

Evelyn frowned.

What concern was the Kingsley adoption to the Ashfords?

"Some announcements require proper timing." She politely withdrew her hands.

"But I know everything," Mrs. Ashford recaptured her grasp, stroking her abdomen. "You must take care in your condition. Julian's been frantic with worry."

Evelyn froze.

Condition?

Her disbelieving gaze dropped to her stomach.