Chapter 715

The morning sun had barely risen when Evelyn heard the sharp knock at the door.

Claire had left only minutes earlier. Evelyn assumed her friend had forgotten something and hurried to answer.

Her breath caught when she saw Alexander standing there.

For a moment, she froze. Then instinct took over - her hand flew to slam the door shut.

Alexander's foot blocked it effortlessly.

"Evelyn," his voice was rough with emotion. "I've been worried sick about you. Made your favorite tortilla soup." He held up a steaming container. "You haven't been answering my calls."

She'd been ignoring him deliberately. The anger still burned fresh.

Alexander knew he needed to apologize properly.

He tried to push inside, but Evelyn resisted. They stood locked in silent battle at the threshold.

"At least take the soup," he pleaded. "Even if you hate me, don't punish yourself."

Evelyn's pallor worried him. Had she been eating properly since leaving?

Before she could react, Alexander pulled her into his arms. She struggled, but his embrace was unyielding.

His familiar citrus scent surrounded her, stirring unwanted memories.

"Come home," he murmured against her hair. "Let me take care of you properly."

Evelyn fought against the traitorous comfort of his arms.

Alexander rested his chin on her shoulder. "I haven't slept since you left. The bed feels empty without you." His voice cracked. "We're still married, Evelyn. Staying here instead of our home... it's not right."

His exhaustion was evident in the shadows beneath his eyes.

Isabella remained in critical care.

The doctors said she'd briefly regained consciousness before slipping back into coma. The back-alley kidney removal had caused severe infection. Even if she recovered, her health would never be the same.

Alexander couldn't let his marriage end over this. He felt nothing for Isabella.

He knew Evelyn's ultimatum stemmed from jealousy. But he'd fix this. Make it up to her somehow.

The steady thud of Alexander's heartbeat beneath her ear felt like betrayal.

Evelyn let out a hollow laugh, pushing against his chest to create distance.

"How familiar," she said softly. "You're acting just like Ethan did when he came crawling back. Must be a family trait."

The barb hit its mark.

Alexander flinched but tightened his hold. "Don't say that. It kills me when you compare me to him."

"Then what would you have me do?" Evelyn's hand trailed up to caress his cheek.

Her touch was tender, but her eyes held winter.

Fingertips brushed his Adam's apple. "Should I pretend nothing happened? Play the doting wife?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't, Alexander."

"Dominic is still hospitalized. Andrew saved your life, so you care for Isabella. But Dominic saved your wife and child. Where's his repayment?"

She fisted his collar, dragging him closer.

Though her tone remained sweet, the ice in her gaze froze him solid. Tears streaked her face, yet her expression remained resolute.

The contradiction shattered him.

Beneath the brave facade, he saw the wounded woman he'd failed.

Evelyn shoved him back with surprising strength, slamming the door between them.

She slid down against the wood, knees drawn to chest.

Alexander's frantic knocking echoed through the apartment. "Evelyn! Open up! We need to talk!"

She wiped her tears roughly. Time to end this.

The door swung open abruptly. Alexander's hopeful expression crumpled when she thrust a thick envelope into his hands.

"What's this?" He frowned, flipping through the contents.

The words "Divorce Agreement" leaped off the page.

Three days. That's all it had taken her to have papers drawn up. Every clause meticulously detailed.

The world tilted. Alexander swayed on his feet.

Evelyn had lost weight. The softness he loved had been replaced by sharp edges.

But it was the emptiness in her eyes that destroyed him.

"Consider this a moment of anger," he rasped, crushing the papers against his chest.

He leaned in, lips brushing her ear. "You still love me. I know you do."