Chapter 610

Evelyn was scrolling through her phone when Alexander walked through the door.

She immediately rushed to him. "Where were you? Why are you back so late?"

The evening had long settled over Cresthaven, and Evelyn had just finished dining alone at their penthouse.

Alexander casually shrugged off his tailored jacket, draping it over the hallway coat rack. "I went to Whitmore Manor to settle your score."

Evelyn's breath hitched. "You confronted your father?"

After the humiliation she'd endured at the Whitmore estate, she never expected Alexander to have heard about it so soon.

Alexander's jaw tightened as he nodded. "Used the family whip on Ethan. He won't be spreading rumors or bothering you again."

Evelyn's fingers twitched at her sides. "You must be hungry. There's leftover soup - let me warm it for you."

Strong arms encircled her from behind, Alexander's stubble grazing her shoulder as he buried his face in her hair.

"Not yet, love. Just let me hold you."

Evelyn stilled, melting into the familiar warmth of his embrace.

A soft smile curved her lips as she placed her hands over his. "Feel that? The baby's moving."

At this stage, the flutters were barely perceptible - like champagne bubbles beneath her skin.

Alexander's large hand splayed across her abdomen, catching the faintest nudge.

"Our child," Evelyn whispered, turning in his arms to face him. "I had a checkup after leaving Whitmore Manor. The doctor says everything's perfect."

She tilted her head up, eyes shining. "Due in November. Do you think Cresthaven will have its first snowfall by then?"

Alexander chuckled, thumb tracing her cheekbone. "When our little one arrives, will I become second priority?"

"Never." Evelyn pressed closer, her voice firm. "You're my heart, Alexander. Our baby completes us." Remembering his fractured childhood, she vowed their family would be different.

They'd shower their child with all the love they'd both been denied.

Alexander cradled her face, his kiss tender yet charged with emotion. "Marrying you was my life's greatest blessing."

The raw vulnerability in his voice made Evelyn's heart swell.

But then she froze.

Beneath Alexander's signature cologne lingered a whisper of jasmine perfume.

A scent she recognized instantly - Isabella's signature fragrance.

Her stomach twisted. "Did you see Isabella today?"

Alexander frowned. "No. Why?"

Evelyn's nails dug into her palms. The lie hung between them like smoke.

She forced a smile, extricating herself from his embrace. "It's late. Go shower while I heat your soup."

As Alexander headed to their ensuite, Evelyn moved mechanically to the kitchen. The soup pot hissed as flames licked its base, her reflection warping in the stainless steel.

Her phone buzzed.

Isabella's message contained a single photo - half her face visible against crisp hotel sheets, Alexander's unmistakable suit jacket draped over her bare shoulders.

Before Evelyn could react, the image disappeared.

[Wrong recipient! You saw nothing, right?] Isabella's follow-up arrived instantly.

Then another: [Pregnant women can't satisfy their husbands. Lucky for Alexander, I could. Check his jacket pocket - left you a souvenir.] Also swiftly deleted.

The soup boiled over as Evelyn lunged for Alexander's jacket.

Her fingers closed around a single, unused condom.

The matching one was missing.

Evelyn's vision blurred. She remembered buying this exact brand - a twin pack.

Alexander had sworn he hadn't seen Isabella. Then why would she plant this in his pocket?

A sharp pain lanced through her abdomen. The baby reacted to her distress.

The kitchen spun. She tasted metal - as if she'd swallowed broken glass.

Was their entire marriage a beautiful lie?

When Alexander emerged from the shower, the penthouse stood empty.

A steaming bowl of soup waited on the dining table.

Alexander's call went straight to voicemail. "Evelyn? Where are you at this hour?"

On the other end, Evelyn bit her lip bloody. She needed space to think. "Claire called. I'm keeping her company tonight."

Alexander's voice sharpened. "Alone? Why didn't you wait for me to drive you?"

"After your long day? I took a cab. Almost there." The lie burned her tongue.

Claire's apartment was indeed ten minutes away.

Alexander sighed. "So I'm sleeping alone tonight?"

Evelyn's fingers trembled around her phone.

She wasn't entirely lying - Claire had called earlier about meeting tomorrow. But tonight? Evelyn needed to breathe. To process.

Before her world shattered completely.