Chapter 183

Evelyn's phone call had ended, and Margaret returned to the dining room with a frown. "She claims she's occupied this afternoon and can only visit after work."

"This is unacceptable!" Richard's palm struck the table with a sharp crack. "She keeps inventing reasons to avoid coming home. If she has no intention of returning, then she shouldn't bother at all!"

Vanessa didn’t hesitate to add fuel to the fire. "Is Evelyn truly busier than Ethan? He managed to make time for us. The least she could have done was call in advance. Now we’ve wasted our afternoon waiting for nothing. Let’s just eat."

With that, Vanessa reached for the serving spoon, her attention fixed on Ethan as she prepared to dish out his portion.

But Ethan caught her wrist gently. "Since they won’t arrive until evening, I should return to the office. There’s still work to be done."

Vanessa blinked in surprise. "Ethan, at least stay for lunch first."

"No need." He shrugged on his suit jacket, which had been draped over the chair.

After a polite nod to Richard and Margaret, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

Vanessa followed him out, watching as his car disappeared down the driveway before returning to the table in silence.

Margaret studied her stepdaughter’s expression, sensing something amiss. "Vanessa, did you and Ethan—"

Ethan's demeanor toward Vanessa was noticeably distant.

Vanessa shook her head quickly. "We didn't argue, Mom. Haven't you realized? Evelyn stood him up—made him come all this way for nothing. He's irritated because his schedule is packed, yet she couldn’t even bother to show up."

Margaret's annoyance toward Evelyn deepened at those words.

Keeping everyone waiting for hours without so much as a call?

Alexander hadn’t stepped foot in the office all day.

But Simon did appear around noon.

He strode straight into Alexander’s office, gathered two files, and slid them into a leather briefcase before handing it to Evelyn.

"Mrs. Whitmore, these are the documents Mr. Whitmore requested. Would you mind delivering them to him at home?" Simon asked politely.

The office was nearly empty, most employees having left for lunch.

Hearing that Alexander was still at home, Evelyn frowned. "Is something wrong? Did he skip work because he wasn’t feeling well?"

"Nothing serious. He just overindulged last night with Mr. Bennett," Simon explained.

"Lucas Bennett?" Evelyn repeated.

Simon nodded.

After being thrown out by Claire last night, Lucas had clearly been in a foul mood. He'd dragged Alexander out drinking until dawn.

Evelyn clutched the files tightly as she hurried home.

The house was eerily silent when she arrived. She placed the documents carefully on Alexander's desk in the study.

He was still asleep.

She didn't disturb him. Closing the door without a sound, she moved to the kitchen and began preparing lunch.

Simon had mentioned Alexander had been drinking heavily. She worried his stomach might be unsettled.

She whipped up a light pasta dish with two simple but flavorful sides.

As she finished plating, she turned—and froze.

Alexander was already on the couch. The documents she'd just delivered were in his hands.

He hadn't changed yet, still in sleep-rumpled pajamas. His usually perfect hair was adorably mussed, softening his sharp features.

"Lunch is ready," Evelyn said, arranging the table with a smile.

Alexander approached. Then, without warning, his arms circled her waist from behind.

He buried his face in her hair near her left ear, his stubble grazing her skin.

"Mrs. Whitmore," he murmured, voice rough with sleep. "Thank you for taking care of me."

The unexpected embrace made Evelyn's breath hitch.

The moment Evelyn caught the familiar scent of his aftershave, her pulse quickened. Alexander must have just stepped out of the shower. His dark hair was still slightly damp, and a few stray strands brushed against her lips as he leaned in.

It sent a shiver down her spine.

Evelyn instinctively pressed her fingers to her tingling lips. Before she could react, Alexander settled into the chair behind them, his arms still securely wrapped around her waist.

His legs parted slightly as he sat, pulling her down until she was half-seated on his lap.

Heat flooded her cheeks. Evelyn clenched her fists, squirming in his hold. "Alexander—"

His grip only tightened, his breath warm against her ear. "Stay."

A thrill shot through her, but she forced herself to push against his chest. "We can't—not here."

His low chuckle vibrated through her. "Then where?"

Her heart hammered. This man would be the death of her.