Chapter 468

"Alexander, I just think..." Evelyn began, her voice trailing off.

Before she could finish her sentence, Alexander's phone buzzed sharply on the nightstand.

He didn’t move, his piercing blue eyes fixed on her, waiting.

Evelyn hesitated, her thoughts scattering. "You should answer that first," she murmured instead.

With a slow exhale, he released her and reached for the device.

A flicker of movement caught her eye—Isabella flashed across the screen.

That name again.

A childhood nickname, sweet and intimate, reserved for someone who had known him long before Evelyn ever did.

Her breath hitched as she watched his expression soften, the hard edges of his face melting into something tender. Without a word, he strode out of the bedroom, the door clicking shut behind him.

Evelyn froze.

Alexander never stepped away to take calls. Not from her.

Which meant this was different.

This was a secret.

Her fingers curled into the sheets. Maybe it was just the hormones—the irrational fears that came with pregnancy. She shook her head, trying to dispel the unease coiling in her chest.

She was his wife. His legal wife.

And she carried his heir.

Yet why did that suddenly feel like it wasn’t enough?

It was merely a phone call. Everyone deserved their privacy.

When Evelyn spoke with Claire on the phone, she didn’t always want Alexander hovering nearby.

Perhaps Isabella was a man!

After reassuring herself, Evelyn was about to close her eyes when Alexander stepped back into the bedroom.

He set his phone down, the ghost of a smile still playing on his lips.

Alexander tilted his head. "You wanted to tell me something earlier?"

Evelyn studied him, a strange tightness coiling in her chest.

He had sounded so animated while talking to Isabella.

After a beat of hesitation, she knew—if she didn’t ask now, she’d spend the entire night tossing and turning.

"Who is Isabella?"

Alexander blinked. "You saw her name?"

Evelyn nodded.

Alexander didn’t hesitate. "An old friend. It was her first auction, so she asked for advice."

It sounded reasonable. Too reasonable.

Evelyn bit her lip. Was she overreacting?

But then why did that lingering smile on his face make her stomach twist?

Alexander drew Evelyn into his embrace, breathing in the delicate floral scent of her shampoo.

His lips brushed against her temple as he murmured, "I might be home late tomorrow night. Don't stay up waiting for me."

Business galas were part of Alexander's routine, and midnight returns weren't unusual.

A man dedicated to his empire—that was simply who he was.

"Anything you'd like?" His fingers traced idle circles on her back. "I'll bring it home for you."

Wrapped in his warmth, Evelyn's earlier tension melted away.

"Just you," she whispered, already drifting into peaceful sleep against his chest.

Morning light found his side of the bed cold and empty.

After her morning routine, Evelyn entered the dining room to find Ethan and Vanessa already seated.

The moment their eyes met, Vanessa's manicured nails dug crescent moons into her palms.

They hadn't crossed paths since... that night. The night Vanessa lost what she'd schemed so hard to obtain.

The air thickened with unspoken accusations.

Evelyn's toast turned to ash in her mouth. Across the table, Vanessa's smile was all sharp edges and poisoned honey.

Some wounds never healed. Some battles never ended.

And this war between them? It had only just begun.

The criticisms of Vanessa were harsh, accusing her of reckless driving and cursing the unfortunate drivers behind her.

This left Evelyn with no choice but to swallow her anger, unable to pin any blame on Vanessa.

At least one good thing came from the miscarriage—her relationship with Ethan had slightly improved. A small silver lining in an otherwise devastating situation.

But the rumors about Vanessa in Cresthaven still burned in Evelyn’s chest like acid.

Whose child was Vanessa carrying?

If that baby truly belonged to Ethan, Evelyn might actually celebrate.

As Alexander’s wife, Vanessa was entangled with Ethan. The Whitmore family would never tolerate such disgrace, and Vanessa’s reputation would be ruined beyond repair.

Vanessa remained oblivious to Evelyn’s scheming.

As they sat down for breakfast, Vanessa casually remarked, "I heard there’s a major auction today. With Sir Whitmore’s 80th birthday coming up, I’d love to go and bid on something special for him."

Ethan took a slow sip of his coffee.

His gaze flickered toward Evelyn before he responded, "You mean the Powell auction? I’d advise you to stay home."