Chapter 177

Alexander Kingsley never imagined his wedding night would unfold like this.

Evelyn Sinclair lay curled on the far side of the bed, her back turned to him. Moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting dappled shadows across her smooth skin.

He reached out, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger.

"Alexander..."

"Call me husband." His voice was low.

Evelyn sighed. "Sophie—"

"She's back at the hospital." Alexander cut her off. "And I arranged your marital leave."

She turned abruptly, alarm flashing in her eyes. "We agreed to keep this secret."

"People will only know you're married." His gaze darkened, knuckles whitening. "They don't need to know to whom."

Julian Ashford would find out.

That was enough.

After a pause, Evelyn gave a slight nod.

The submissive gesture made Alexander's throat tighten. He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "Or you could call me Alex... like before."

She closed her eyes, lashes trembling.

Exhaustion weighed on her.

Too exhausted to indulge his demands.

Alexander interlaced their fingers. "Evelyn, tonight is our wedding night."

She understood the unspoken message.

Once would never be enough.

Her escape from Kingsbury had failed. Now she needed his protection.

And the price was herself.

......

"Why aren't you happy?"

After the third time, Alexander finally noticed her detachment. Since their breakup, he hadn't seen a genuine smile from her.

Evelyn murmured two flat words. "My hand hurts."

He brought her fingers to his lips. "Let it rest tomorrow." His gaze trailed lower, implying alternatives.

She withdrew her hand. "Alexander, I need sleep. Even if I don't, the baby does."

The air froze.

Her cold dismissal was perfectly timed.

Yet the next day, Kingsley Group employees noticed something unusual.

For months, the company had been shrouded in tension.

Lord Alex had become a workaholic, dragging everyone into endless overtime. Worse was his volatile temper—one wrong move could spell disaster.

But today...

Alexander radiated energy.

The gloom between his brows had vanished, replaced by unmistakable triumph.

Even the office air felt lighter.

"Made up with Evelyn?" Mr. Kingsley stopped him after the meeting.

Alexander arched a brow. "That obvious?"

"Go look in a mirror." Mr. Kingsley smiled knowingly.

"And," he added as Alexander turned, "control your expressions. You smiled during the meeting and terrified the marketing director."

Alexander: "...I'll try."

Had he smiled?

"Coming home for dinner?" Mr. Kingsley asked.

"Why?"

The reminder restored Alexander's usual frostiness.

Mr. Kingsley blinked. "Shouldn't we celebrate your reconciliation?"

"Unnecessary." Alexander dismissed. "It's just a phase. Keep it quiet until the official announcement."

Mr. Kingsley admired his son's controlled demeanor.

"Good. You know what you're doing."

Seeing Alexander back to normal was a relief. This was the strategic mastermind he knew.

But that evening, when Mr. Kingsley sought his son for celebratory overtime...

Alexander left on time!

According to Nathan Carter, Lord Alex had walked out the moment the clock struck six.

Leaving mountains of unfinished work.

"His mind hasn't been on work for days," Nathan grumbled. "I thought today would change that..."

Mr. Kingsley patted his shoulder. "Cut him some slack. He just won his wife back."

Nathan suddenly produced a stack of files. "Oh, Mr. Kingsley, these require your personal attention—per Lord Alex's orders."

As Mr. Kingsley gaped, Nathan grinned. "No such thing as a free celebration."

Mr. Kingsley: ...

Was it too late to return this rebellious son?

......

Evelyn didn't expect Alexander home so early.

She'd spent her rare day off studying pregnancy guides and baby products.

Alexander placed a small pill bottle before her.

"Your vitamins."

The same ones from her old apartment.

Without flinching, Evelyn swallowed a pill.

"Not afraid I swapped them?" His eyes glinted dangerously. These were from Julian.

"No." She pointed out the window. "Lose the baby, and that's where I'll end up."

Her casual tone belied the knife-twist in every word.

Alexander's ardor dampened.

He sat, peeling a mangosteen. "Since we're free, where should we honeymoon?"

"Nowhere." She only wanted the safety of these walls.

"Think about it." He saw through her fear. "With me, you're always safe."

Madam Ashford's actions had traumatized her.

The realization pained him.

His plans against the Ashfords were temporarily shelved.

He offered her the peeled fruit.

Evelyn turned away. "Not hungry."

Alexander withdrew his hand—then suddenly pulled her into a kiss.

Sweet mangosteen flooded her mouth as he forced both the fruit and the kiss upon her.

......

After just three days of marital leave, Evelyn couldn't wait to return to Horizon Media.

The reason was simple.

Alexander was insatiable.

She was reaching her limit.