Chapter 176

Alexander Kingsley's hand suddenly gripped the back of Evelyn Sinclair's neck.

His knuckles turned white, dark emotions swirling in his eyes.

"Why always him?" His voice was hoarse. "First time, second time—always Julian Ashford?"

Evelyn's lashes trembled slightly.

She could feel the scorching heat of his palm, burning against her skin.

"I didn't—" she began to explain.

"Then why," Alexander cut her off, each word gritted between his teeth, "is it always his child?"

The air froze.

Evelyn looked up, meeting his bloodshot eyes.

They were filled with pain, fury, and... a jealousy that unsettled her.

Memories surfaced.

Of her hiding in the corners of Royal Gardens, watching Isabella Winslow cling to Alexander's arm, laughing brightly.

Back then, she hadn't even dared to admit her envy.

"This child is actually—" she blurted out.

"Enough!" Alexander abruptly released her. "I don't want to hear it."

He snatched the documents from the table and shoved them into her hands.

"Sign," he commanded. "Now."

Evelyn stared at the crumpled papers, then let out a soft laugh.

"Do you want to get rid of him?" she whispered. "Like you did with Isabella?"

Alexander's breath hitched.

"Sign it," he said, locking eyes with her, "and he'll be my child."

Tears splattered onto the paper, blurring the ink.

"The agreement this morning—" Her voice shook.

Alexander immediately slapped another document in front of her.

"Sign this," he said tightly. "I keep my word."

"Will you protect us?" She lifted her tear-streaked face. "Like you did today..."

She had to keep this child.

It was her only obsession.

The doctor's words from years ago still echoed in her ears when she woke up in that foreign hospital.

"You'll never be able to—"

In that moment, she had felt completely hollow.

"Be mine," Alexander said slowly, "and I'll keep you safe."

Evelyn wiped her tears away.

"I want a secret marriage," she stated calmly. "No physical contact for a year. Break the rule, and you let us go."

Nathan Carter inhaled sharply from the corner.

These terms were—

"Fine," Alexander's reply stunned him. "But you cut all ties with Julian Ashford."

Evelyn smiled bitterly.

There had never been anything between them.

"If I hold my end after a year," Alexander stepped closer, "we go public. You fulfill your duties as my wife."

"And," he added, "you move in with me tonight."

After a long silence, Evelyn finally nodded.

......

Outside the registry office, Alexander refused to let go of her hand.

"The contract never said no holding hands," he said shamelessly, pulling her into his embrace.

When his lips descended, she caught the faint scent of cedar.

From the car door to the elevator, then to the foyer of their new home—

His kisses grew deeper, his hands lingering at her waist.

"Stop..." She finally struggled free.

Alexander stilled, his thumb brushing her swollen lips.

"Come see your new home," he said, leading her forward.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights of Kingsbury glittered like spilled stars.

But when she saw the single king-sized bed in the bedroom, her fingers trembled slightly.

In the darkness, his whisper grazed her ear:

"I won't touch you."

"But you can touch me."

His breath scorched her skin, turning the tips of her ears crimson.