Chapter 436

Evelyn nestled closer to Alexander's chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his shirt. "No, I actually pity you."

Alexander arched a brow, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Pity me?"

"Mm." She nodded, her voice softening. "Your father knows Ethan is working with Zachary to hurt you, yet he still defends him. He tried to make it seem like nothing."

Once, Evelyn had admired Harold. But now? Disappointment coiled tight in her chest.

It struck her then—no one in this family truly valued Alexander. To them, he was expendable.

Alexander chuckled, his fingers threading gently through her hair. "I stopped expecting anything from them a long time ago. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a family’s love."

Evelyn tilted her head up, her eyes bright with conviction. "Then I’ll love you enough for all of them. I’m your family now."

A slow, devastating smile curved his lips. "Oh? Is that a promise?"

Before she could answer, his arm banded around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He dipped his head, capturing her lips in a kiss so tender it stole her breath.

Evelyn froze for a heartbeat, warmth flooding her cheeks at the soft press of his mouth.

His thumb brushed her jaw, lingering. "You’re blushing."

She swatted his shoulder, but her traitorous heart raced anyway.

The kiss was electrifying, leaving Evelyn breathless and trembling. She melted into Alexander’s arms, surrendering completely to the heat between them.

Alexander kept his gaze locked on her, studying every flicker of emotion across her face.

In that moment, with Evelyn pressed tightly against him, the weight of her return finally settled in his chest.

The past two weeks had been pure torment.

He’d forced himself to maintain a facade of normalcy, careful not to alert Ethan to his desperation.

With Evelyn trapped in Ethan’s clutches, Alexander knew any overt move to find her would only provoke the man further—putting her in even greater danger.

More than once, he’d considered storming Ethan’s family estate and taking Grace and Eleanor hostage to force a trade.

But cold logic had prevailed. Such reckless actions would only tighten the noose around Evelyn’s neck.

When their lips finally parted, Alexander’s hunger was far from sated. He trailed scorching kisses down her throat, lingering at the delicate hollow of her collarbone.

Evelyn shuddered, her fingers tightening in his shirt.

His arm banded around her waist as he guided her backward, never breaking contact as they moved toward the staircase.

The possessive intensity in his touch wrapped around her like armor. For the first time in weeks, Evelyn felt truly safe.

After thirty days of constant anxiety, Evelyn had finally stepped through the familiar doors of Whitmore Manor yesterday. Alexander hadn't pushed her for anything last night - just wrapped his strong arms around her as they drifted into peaceful sleep.

But morning light brought different intentions.

The golden afternoon sun stretched across their bedroom, promising hours of uninterrupted intimacy ahead.

Alexander's lips claimed Evelyn's the moment the door clicked shut behind them. Gone was the tenderness of earlier kisses - this was raw hunger, desperate and consuming.

His dress shirt hung open, revealing the sculpted chest of a man in his prime. Those piercing gray eyes darkened as they traced every curve of Evelyn's face, his mouth leaving a trail of fire along her sensitive neck.

Each featherlight touch sent electric shocks through Evelyn's body.

Her heartbeat thundered so violently she feared it might crack her ribs, her head tilting back of its own accord. Alexander's intentions became unmistakably clear as his hands grew bolder.

Their breaths mingled as he nipped at her swollen lips, his movements growing more urgent. Fingers tangled in the fabric of Evelyn's sundress, hiking the hem upward when -

A sudden realization froze her in place.

The realization struck Evelyn like lightning—Alexander had no idea about her pregnancy.

Just weeks ago, she had been plagued by relentless morning sickness, unable to keep even water down. But lately, the nausea had faded, leaving her almost forgetting the tiny life growing inside her.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, her thoughts racing.

Would Alexander be happy?

The question gnawed at her. Their relationship had been a whirlwind of passion and pain, and now, this unexpected blessing—or complication—lay between them.

She imagined his reaction.

Would his eyes light up with joy? Or would that familiar guarded look return, the one he wore when life surprised him?

Evelyn exhaled slowly.

She needed to tell him.

But not yet.

First, she had to be certain—certain of his feelings, certain of their future.

Because this child deserved more than uncertainty.

It deserved love.

And she would make sure it had that, no matter what.