Chapter 194

Evelyn's lashes fluttered slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes.

Alexander's voice was low and restrained. "Does nothing about you concern me when I'm not around?"

She pressed her lips together, offering no immediate reply.

"Evelyn," he suddenly asked, "why did you agree to marry me back then?"

The question froze the air between them.

Hadn't he been the one forcing her hand?

Standing before the civil registry office, he'd given her an ultimatum—marry him or lose their child. When had she ever had a choice?

"Remember what you said that day?" Alexander continued when she remained silent. "You asked if I could protect this child."

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the bedsheet.

She had indeed said those words.

"But when you truly needed me, you chose to face it alone." Suppressed anger laced his voice. "Do you despise me that much?"

The question had been a blunt knife grinding against his heart for too long.

Alexander Kingsley, decisive in all matters, became hesitant only in matters of the heart.

Evelyn lifted her gaze, her eyes clear. "My phone was confiscated."

Alexander visibly stiffened.

"I felt unwell when I went downstairs. The Eaton family called the police immediately." Her tone was calm. "By the time the interrogation ended, I was in terrible condition. The officers promised to take me to the hospital—it was faster than waiting for you."

The answer caught him off guard.

Alexander slowly straightened, his expression returning to its usual composure. "I'll handle Horizon Media. But you need to take care of your health."

Secretly, he wished she would leave Horizon and stay far away from Julian. Yet reason told him that pushing further would only disrupt their fragile balance.

Evelyn exhaled inwardly in relief.

This was the Alexander she knew.

His forced gentleness had always felt unnatural—like plastic flowers blooming unnaturally on an iceberg.

"Are you returning to Kingsbury?" she changed the subject.

The man who'd claimed to resign yesterday was already reviewing documents today.

"Yes. It'll be busy." He set aside his work.

"Will you move back home?"

"Not unless you come with me." His expression darkened instantly.

Evelyn lowered her eyes to the white sheets. "My place only has one bedroom."

"The bed is big enough."

Evelyn: "..."

......

Melissa clutched her phone, brows furrowed.

Evelyn was unreachable, and Isabella's call had gone unanswered for too long.

"Isabella, about Evelyn—"

"I'm abroad for my pregnancy," Isabella's weak voice finally came through. "I won't be returning anytime soon."

"You're really pregnant?" Melissa gasped. "With Alexander?"

"Shh. We're secretly married." Isabella lowered her voice. "The last engagement angered him. This time, we must keep it quiet."

Hanging up, Melissa's emotions churned.

William's furious roar snapped her back to reality.

"I told you not to act recklessly! Now the Eatons are at our doorstep!"

Melissa's face paled.

Opening the door, she found Julian standing in the hallway, his gaze icy.

"Julian..." Her voice trembled.

"Birds of a feather." He turned to leave after spitting out the words.

Melissa rushed to block his path. "Why can't you see my worth?"

"Which part?" Julian smirked coldly. "Your talent for scheming?"

The words stabbed into Melissa's heart like a blade.

What shocked her more was Julian's transformation. The once gentle man now radiated sharp edges.

"At least I wouldn't let you become like this," she choked out.

Julian suddenly smiled, as if reverting to his old self.

"Have you ever considered," he said softly, "that this is the real me?"

Melissa took a step back.

"We only met in middle school. What childhood friendship?" He advanced step by step. "The dance lessons were for someone else. So was catching butterflies."

His smile vanished, replaced by cold indifference. "The only one who truly grew up with me is Evelyn."

In the hallway, Melissa collapsed to the floor, tears streaming.

......

The Eaton family's steward looked deathly pale.

The elder Mr. Eaton slammed evidence before him. "Traitorous scum!"

"Master, I only—" The steward trembled violently.

"Send him to the police," the younger Mr. Eaton said coldly.

It all traced back to one sentence Evelyn had whispered before leaving. How had she known his secret?

Alexander's fury forced the Eatons to punish their steward severely. Investigations revealed he'd taken Isabella's bribes to harass Evelyn.

This journalist was the reason Alexander Kingsley had moved heaven and earth.

......

The Kingsley estate buzzed with joy.

"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl?" The Dowager Madeline beamed.

Eleanor quickly interjected, "Either would be Kingsley's treasure."

Turning to the senior maid, the Dowager asked, "You're experienced. How can we tell the baby's gender?"

"Nowadays, a blood test at two months can reveal it."

The next day, the Dowager took Evelyn's hand eagerly. "Darling, let's check the baby's gender, shall we?"