Chapter 652

Evelyn was still trying to process why Alexander had shown up unannounced at her high school reunion.

She frowned. "I never told him about this place. How did he even know?"

At this hour, shouldn't he be at Isabella's bedside, playing the devoted friend?

The memory of seeing Alexander kiss Isabella earlier that day sent a sharp pang through her chest.

With so many eyes watching, Evelyn couldn't confront him directly, but her icy glare spoke volumes.

As the evening wore on, Ethan grew increasingly uncomfortable. He muttered a flimsy excuse and made his escape.

Vanessa instinctively moved to follow, but the sharp look he threw her way made her freeze.

Biting her lip, she trailed behind him anyway. The moment the elevator doors closed, she put on her most pitiful expression. "Ethan, what's wrong? We were fine just a minute ago. Why are you acting like this?"

Why?

Because ever since Alexander had arrived, Ethan felt like the punchline of a bad joke.

That snide remark from Alexander had been the final humiliation.

And it was all Vanessa's fault.

If she hadn't meddled, if she hadn't stirred up trouble between him and Evelyn—maybe things would have been different.

Once they were alone in the garage, Ethan dropped all pretense.

"Vanessa, stop following me! You're pathetic!"

"Your mother told you to drive me home. Where do you think you're going?" she snapped back, trying to regain control.

As the elevator doors opened, he shoved her away.

"Since when do I answer to you? Who do you think you are?"

He climbed into his car without another glance, slamming the door and speeding off.

Vanessa stood there, abandoned.

She had worked so hard to ease the tension between them. He didn't love her, but at least they had reached an uneasy truce.

She had hoped the baby would change things—that he'd soften for the sake of their child.

But now, thanks to this reunion, everything was falling apart again.

Her heart sank as she watched his taillights disappear.

It was late, and as a pregnant woman, she had no choice but to head back to the lobby to call a cab.

But as she turned, she nearly collided with a man in a wheelchair.

Vanessa froze.

Dominic Powell.

She didn't know him personally, but she'd heard enough about his volatile temper to be wary.

She tried to sidestep him, but he blocked her path.

"Mr. Powell, could you please move?" she asked, forcing politeness.

"Move?" His smirk was razor-sharp. "What makes you think I take orders from you?"

The hostility in his voice sent a chill down her spine.

She turned to leave—only to find herself surrounded by towering bodyguards.

Her pulse spiked. "What do you want? Ethan is my husband! You can't do this!"

Dominic scoffed. "Ethan? Please. Even he wouldn't dare cross me."

She clutched her belly protectively. "If you touch me, I'll call the police!"

Her threats meant nothing to him.

With a lazy flick of his wrist, his men lunged forward, muffling her screams as they shoved her into a waiting van.

Back at the reunion, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air.

Alexander handled the endless toasts with effortless charm, drinking without showing the slightest sign of intoxication.

He kept Evelyn close, their fingers intertwined beneath the table.

Every time their eyes met, his gaze was warm, affectionate—enough to make her earlier irritation fade.

When the chatter finally lulled, he leaned in, lips brushing her ear. "Why the frown? Not enjoying yourself?"

She arched a brow. "How did you even know I was here?"

His smirk was knowing. "Lucas."

Of course. Claire had brought Bella to the reunion, which meant Lucas was babysitting.

And Lucas had never been good at keeping secrets.

Alexander's voice dropped to a whisper. "So? Am I making you proud tonight?"

Reunions were all about comparisons—men flaunting success, women showing off designer labels and perfect marriages.

Alexander was giving Evelyn the ultimate upgrade.

Still, she couldn't shake her unease.

"You were just kissing Isabella. What are you doing here with me?"

Her words were barely audible, meant only for him.

Alexander frowned, finally realizing her mood wasn't just about the reunion. "When did I ever kiss Isabella?"

"I saw it!"

He feigned innocence, a wounded look crossing his face. "You must have imagined it."

"Imagined it?" Her eyes narrowed.

She had seen them at the hospital—there was no way she'd mistaken that.

Their quiet exchange was loaded, but to the others, it looked like playful banter.

Claire sipped her drink, watching them with quiet amusement.

Just an hour ago, Evelyn had been complaining about Alexander forgetting their anniversary.

But seeing them now, it was clear he hadn't forgotten at all.

Claire knew better than anyone what Evelyn had been through.

After everything, seeing her happy was a relief.

But it also stirred a quiet envy.

Since her breakup with Julian, Claire's life had returned to monotony.

If Julian had been the spice in her life, now it was bland.

Bella was a joy, but with her baby nearly three months old, maybe it was time to think about work again.

But what could she do?

Before Bella, she'd been a model. How many models were also single mothers?

Still, she didn't regret it. She'd traded her career for something far more precious.

Alexander could hold his liquor, but even he had his limits.

When Evelyn noticed his ears turning red, she smoothly intercepted the next toast.

He flashed a charming smile. "Sorry, my wife says I'm cut off."

Wrapping an arm around her, he stood to say his goodbyes.

To Evelyn's surprise, the entire table rose with him, looking almost starstruck.

Watching him navigate the room with such effortless charm made something warm bloom in her chest.

The moment they stepped outside, Alexander slumped against her, his breath warm against her ear.

"Babe, I think I'm drunk. Can't even stand straight."

His arms tightened around her.

"Give me a kiss. I need it."

His voice was low, playful—but the sincerity beneath it made her heart skip.