Chapter 245

Julian Ashford's voice froze the air for a moment.

Evelyn Sinclair lowered her lashes, fingertips tracing the rim of her cup. "Julian, I think this is fine as it is."

"Fine?" His knuckles turned white. "You call this fine?"

"At least it's peaceful." She lifted her gaze, eyes calm as water.

"And how long will this peace last?" This time, Julian stared directly into her eyes.

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "It'll end when it's time."

Julian's chest heaved violently. He thought he could endure this.

Hadn't he convinced himself to wait last time?

"So you still can't let him go?"

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

"It's not about letting go," Evelyn shook her head. "There are more important things."

"What could possibly tie you to the Kingsleys now?" Julian's voice strained. "You lost the baby, yet you stay. If not for him, then why?"

Evelyn's fingers curled involuntarily.

"Julian... the baby is still here."

His pupils contracted sharply.

"What did you say?"

"The accident that day... the baby survived." She didn't elaborate, but Julian's sharp mind would understand. "I'm still carrying our child."

Julian seized her shoulders.

"The baby's alive?" His voice trembled. "Say that again!"

Evelyn winced in pain.

She tried to pull away, but Julian held her firmly.

"So this was all an act? A trap for Melissa Lee to walk into?"

"You weren't injured at all? You and Winston weren't even in that car?"

"Something this huge, and you kept me in the dark."

His hands shook violently.

"Do you know how I felt when I thought you'd miscarried? I—"

"Julian, calm down." Evelyn struggled to raise a hand against his chest.

Instead, he grabbed her wrist and pressed it over his heart.

"Evelyn, can't you feel this? Alexander's heart matters, but mine doesn't?"

His grip threatened to crush her fingers.

"Julian..."

"Why didn't you tell me about the baby? Am I so untrustworthy now? Have I become useless in your eyes?"

"I—"

Bang!

The office door burst open.

Both turned simultaneously.

Roman Young adjusted his glasses nervously. "S-sorry... just grabbing a file... leaving now..."

He scrambled backward but froze abruptly in the hallway.

Footsteps approached rapidly.

Roman stumbled back inside, nearly knocking over a bookshelf by the door.

Evelyn and Julian looked toward the entrance.

Alexander Kingsley stood there.

His icy expression could frost glass, gaze locked on their intertwined hands.