Chapter 278

"What madness is this?" The young man's eyes burned with sleep-deprived fury, his voice a dangerous rasp.

Evelyn Sinclair's fingers trembled around her stuffed toy. "I dreamed of Mom...she took me to the rooftop..."

"Shut up!" Alexander Kingsley's interruption was brutal. "Where are you now?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "...outside your door."

"The rooftop?"

"No..."

"Then get the hell back to bed!"

Evelyn shrank away.

"Stop." His command froze her mid-step.

"I-I'll go sleep now..." She resembled a startled rabbit.

Alexander exhaled sharply before yanking the stuffed animal's ear, dragging both girl and toy into his room.

He shoved her onto the bed, wrapping the comforter around her like a cocoon. Only her glistening eyes remained visible.

"Will you stay with me, Alex?"

"Too old for this." He viciously tucked in the edges. "I'm sleeping next door."

At the threshold, he turned back, jabbing a finger at her feigned slumber. "One more sound and you'll regret it."

......

Alexander tossed in the guest room.

Evelyn's pitiful expression haunted him.

Of all the servants she could've disturbed, she chose him.

In his drowsy state, her imagined chatter tormented him. That persistent "Alex" echoed as she squirmed like a restless kitten against him in his dreams.

"Stay still!" He growled, seizing her.

The girl in his arms fought back fiercely.

The dream spiraled into absurdity.

Her puffed cheeks amused him despite himself. She retaliated by clinging like an octopus.

"Does Julian spoil you like this?" The bitter question escaped him.

Evelyn shook her head frantically, eyes wide.

As he released her, sharp pain lanced his neck—

"Ah!"

Alexander jolted awake to find the blankets ripped away.

"Rise and shine!" Evelyn chirped, standing triumphantly bedside.

He yanked the covers back. "Out!"

Her smile faltered. "Aunt Eleanor said—"

"Now!"

Only when the door clicked shut did he dare emerge.

Morning light revealed his disheveled state.

That ridiculous dream had left him...

......

The turning lock shattered his memories.

Alexander entered the apartment, scanning the empty bedroom.

"Still not back?"

He pivoted toward the study—and froze.

Evelyn curled on the sofa, an open book across her lap.

"I'll sleep here." She gestured to the folded bedding.

His pupils contracted.

Alexander hauled her upright. "This is my territory."

"Thought you might tamper with it." The instant the words left his mouth, he caught her flinch.

"Should I go next door then?" Her voice was featherlight.

"Master bedroom. Now." His order was glacial.

In the bathroom, Evelyn frowned at the sheer silk nightgown.

This revealing thing...

Sinking into the plush bedding, she inhaled sunshine-scented linens that transported her to that distant night.

A nightmare had driven her to his door all those years ago...