Chapter 33

He smirked to himself. So this is her game—playing hard to get? Thinking I'll be intrigued enough to chase after her?

Clever move, I'll give her that.

Meanwhile, Evelyn remained completely oblivious that her phone had accidentally dialed Ethan while she was absorbed in shopping.

There was something almost otherworldly about her new husband, Alexander. He carried himself with an air of detachment, as if he existed on a different plane altogether.

To ground him a little, she decided to put him to work—handing him the shopping cart with a playful grin.

With practiced ease, Evelyn maneuvered through the home goods section, Alexander trailing silently behind her. To any passerby, they looked like the picture of domestic bliss—a couple perfectly in sync.

Then, the vibration of Alexander’s phone shattered the moment.

He hesitated, his gaze flickering toward where Evelyn had wandered off, before answering the call.

The noise from the other end of the line was deafening.

Lucas Bennett's booming laughter cut through the chaos. "Alexander! Didn't you say today was the big day? The whole crew's here waiting—where's your bride?"

Alexander Whitmore's expression darkened, his gaze drifting back to Evelyn Carter, who was stretching on her tiptoes, trying to grab a large bottle of detergent from the top shelf.

The shelf was just out of reach, and she wobbled slightly, her long chestnut hair swaying with the movement.

Phone pressed to his ear, Alexander answered in a low voice, "Too many people. I don’t want to overwhelm her. We’re not coming."

Lucas snorted. "Oh, come on! We don’t bite. You’re acting like she’s some fragile treasure. This is your celebration—you can’t just skip it!"

Alexander remained silent, pushing the shopping cart toward Evelyn.

With effortless ease, he reached up and plucked the detergent from the shelf, dropping it into the cart.

Evelyn turned, surprise flickering across her face before melting into a warm smile.

Alexander smirked back, saying nothing as he guided the cart forward.

The butcher's display case gleamed under the fluorescent lights.

Alexander selected two prime ribeyes and dropped them into the cart with a satisfied thud.

Meanwhile, Lucas's voice crackled through the phone again. "Alex, are you even paying attention? Where the hell are you? It sounds like a zoo over there!"

Alexander rolled his shoulders, his tone nonchalant. "Just running errands with my wife. Have your fun—put everything on my tab."

A stunned silence stretched on the other end before Lucas burst into disbelieving laughter. "You? Grocery shopping? Since when?"

Annoyed by the interrogation, Alexander ended the call without another word.

Evelyn's cheeks warmed at the way he'd said "with my wife."

Who was that? One of his friends?

"Want some soup?" Alexander's question snapped her out of her thoughts.

"What?" She blinked up at him.

"Supposed to be good for women," he said, resting an elbow on the cart as a store clerk handed him a packaged bundle.

The casual way he leaned, the effortless confidence—it made her pulse skip.

She swallowed. "Sure."

He tossed it in without another word, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

Evelyn bit her lip.

This man—her husband—was full of surprises.

Evelyn's delicate brows knitted together. "But isn't preparing chicken quite time-consuming?"

Alexander's intense gaze settled on her.

His eyes lingered a heartbeat too long on the graceful curve of her waist.

A rare softness colored his voice. "If it helps you put on some healthy weight, then every minute is worth it."

Evelyn felt her pulse stutter at his words. When she glanced down at her slender frame, heat rushed to her cheeks.

Alexander's low chuckle vibrated through the space between them. "Let's finish here and go home."

The deep timbre of his voice sent delicious tremors down her spine.

Her thoughts raced. But we're husband and wife now… Surely sharing a bed is inevitable?

After their intimate dinner, Alexander guided her with mysterious purpose to their penthouse balcony.

Perched atop the city, their Willowbrook Apartments offered a private oasis—lush greenery and vibrant blossoms framing the glittering skyline.

The moment Evelyn stepped outside, the night exploded in color.

Fireworks burst across the heavens, painting the darkness with cascading gold and ruby light.

The night sky erupted in a dazzling display of colors, painting the darkness with vibrant hues.

Evelyn gasped, her head tilting upward as the fireworks illuminated her awestruck face. The golden sparks reflected in her wide, shimmering eyes.

Did he arrange this? The thought flickered through her mind, her pulse quickening.

Before she could dwell on it, strong arms encircled her waist from behind.

Alexander pulled her flush against his chest, his warmth seeping into her. His breath brushed against her ear as he murmured, "Happy anniversary, my love."

Her heart stuttered.

She hadn't even realized the date.

Yet he remembered.

The fireworks continued to burst overhead, their brilliance mirrored in the way he looked at her—like she was the only woman in the world.

Evelyn turned in his embrace, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

Alexander's gaze darkened, his thumb tracing her lower lip.

The world around them faded—the cheers of distant spectators, the crackling explosions above—none of it mattered.

Only this.

Only him.

His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that stole her breath, fierce and possessive.

And in that moment, Evelyn knew—no matter what storms came their way, she would always be his.