Chapter 704

"Awake?" Alexander's voice was soft as he found Evelyn already up, scrolling through her phone in bed. His expression softened immediately. "You should be resting after giving birth. Too much screen time isn't good for your eyes. What would you like for breakfast? I'll prepare it for you."

"No need." Evelyn set her phone aside and swung her legs off the bed, heading toward the bathroom.

Alexander moved quickly to assist her, but she subtly sidestepped his outstretched hand. He froze momentarily, clearly taken aback. "Evelyn..."

"I'm not made of glass," she said calmly as she walked toward the bathroom. "It's been days since the delivery. I don't need constant supervision." Her words carried an unspoken accusation - when she'd truly needed him, he hadn't been there. Alexander lowered his gaze, guilt flashing in his eyes before he quickly composed himself and turned toward the kitchen.

When Evelyn emerged after freshening up, she saw Alexander busy at the stove but showed no reaction. She drew back the curtains, changed into fresh clothes, and retrieved her medical acupuncture kit from the drawer.

It was time for Dominic's treatment. His injuries had been severe - he'd barely survived - and his recovery was still fragile.

Hearing movement, Alexander turned off the burner and stepped out. "Where are you going?" he asked, noticing Evelyn heading for the door.

"To administer Dominic's acupuncture," she replied without hesitation.

Alexander paused, a tightness forming in his chest.

Evelyn glanced back slightly. "He saved my life, Alexander. Surely you don't object to that?"

The words struck Alexander with painful familiarity. He pressed his lips together, feeling the weight of her words rebound onto him.

As Evelyn reached for the doorknob, Alexander spoke quickly, "At least eat breakfast first. I made your favorite—"

"Not necessary." Evelyn's voice was calm but distant.

"You need proper nutrition during recovery," Alexander insisted, stepping in her path. "The acupuncture can wait a little longer."

"I'll eat in Dominic's room." Evelyn met his gaze directly, a faint smile touching her lips. "We arranged it yesterday. He's preparing soup for me - it should be ready by now."

Their eyes locked, but Evelyn's expression remained composed. In truth, the soup was fiction - Dominic wouldn't know the first thing about postpartum recovery meals.

Yet the lie cut Alexander deeply. He froze momentarily before forcing a bitter smile. "Is that so?"

"Yes. The soup will get cold if I delay." Evelyn hadn't planned to wound him this way. But she'd endured similar pain from him repeatedly these past weeks.

She thought, "Let him feel what I've felt."

Suppressing her rising guilt, Evelyn brushed past Alexander. The glimmer of moisture in his eyes caught her peripheral vision, making her fingers tighten around her sleeve hem. Her nails dug into her palm. She couldn't afford sympathy now. "He never hesitated when hurting me," she reminded herself.

Behind her, she heard his retreating footsteps. Evelyn bit her lip and moved forward slowly, one hand supporting her waist.

But soon his footsteps returned, quicker this time. Alexander caught up and draped a long coat over her shoulders, then gently placed a knitted hat on her head.

"The temperature dropped," he said evenly, as if the vulnerability she'd glimpsed moments before had been imagined.

With a tender smile, he gazed at her intently. "Stay warm. Don't catch cold. Come back soon - I'll be waiting."

A draft ruffled Alexander's hair as he stood there. The once proud man now appeared gaunt, his frame almost fragile beneath loose pajamas that revealed his recent weight loss.

An inexplicable frustration rose in Evelyn's chest. She averted her eyes and jabbed the elevator button. When the doors opened, she stepped in quickly, as if fleeing.

Alexander remained motionless in the corridor, watching her departure. The elevator doors closed, sealing the distance between them. Even after the elevator descended, he didn't look away.

"So this is how she felt," he thought. "Every time I walked away. I never meant to hurt her, yet the pain was real."

"Mr. Whitmore," Simon's voice interrupted from behind.

"Vanessa appears to be going into labor soon," Simon reported. "Her injuries were severe, and the pregnancy complicated treatment. She's been in agony for days. Yesterday she lost consciousness from the pain. This morning Richard stormed into the hospital, arguing with Eleanor on her behalf."

For Richard, who valued profit above all and prized his connection to the Whitmores, to confront Eleanor over Vanessa was unthinkable.

Simon added, "Vanessa threatened suicide if they didn't induce labor. Eleanor finally relented, but the Harts insisted the optimal delivery date is tomorrow."

Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly. When Damian had been cornered, the noose practically around his neck, Alexander had asked directly if Vanessa was involved in the car incident. Damian had sworn it was solely his doing. A coward like Damian would have betrayed Vanessa instantly to save himself. Yet he hadn't.

A shadow crossed Alexander's face. "Monitor her closely," he ordered coldly. "Before and after delivery, report every move and visitor immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Whitmore," Simon replied.