Chapter 171

Alexander Kingsley's slender fingers brushed past the nightstand, effortlessly picking up the bottle of white pills.

The label for Vitamin B9 gleamed coldly under the light.

Evelyn Sinclair's breath hitched.

Those were the supplements Julian Ashford had specially prepared for her.

Thankfully, Alexander merely glanced at the bottle before setting it back down.

As he turned, dark emotions swirled in his eyes. "This marriage—I'll let you call the shots."

"Marriage?" Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Alexander's gaze darkened. "I won't marry anyone else."

"But sleeping around is fine?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

The air turned to ice.

Alexander's throat moved. "Evelyn, let's not do this..."

"That ring was my original design. I never expected the blueprint to leak."

"I will get the brooch back."

Suddenly, his hands clamped onto her shoulders, his voice rough. "Hate me. Punish me. But you have to come back to me."

Evelyn met his unusually vulnerable gaze.

"What does Madeline want to say?" She abruptly changed the subject. "The Kingsleys need an heir. Who will you choose to mother your child?"

Isabella Winslow's name hung between them.

"I'll handle it," Alexander said firmly.

"Some things can't be undone." Evelyn took a step back. "All I want is for you to stay out of my life."

She had to protect the child growing inside her.

Yet Alexander kept dragging her into his battles.

"I need to rest." She glanced pointedly at the clock.

Alexander yanked a chair over and sat. "Then sleep."

"How can I with you here?"

"I'll make them leave."

"Alexander!" Her voice trembled. "Please, just let me go."

"So Julian can stay?" His eyes turned dangerous.

Exhausted, Evelyn turned away.

The world spun as Alexander hauled her against his chest from behind.

She froze, terrified of harming her abdomen.

"Don't..." Her voice cracked.

But Alexander only crushed her tighter, as if trying to fuse their bodies together.

"Evelyn..." His scorching breath grazed her ear.

Her fingers closed around the fruit knife hidden under her pillow, pressing the blade to her throat.

"Touch me again and I'll slit my throat right here."

Hot tears splashed onto Alexander's hands, making him recoil.

Five minutes later, he finally relented and left.

Evelyn locked the door and collapsed to the floor.

The folic acid bottle glowed faintly on the nightstand.

She had to escape—soon.

That night, phantom touches disturbed her restless sleep.

At dawn, she opened her bedroom door to find Eleanor Kingsley and Alexander waiting in the living room.

"Sign it." Alexander slid a document across the table.