Chapter 726
Evelyn's gaze lingered on the empty crib.
Her son wouldn't get to sleep in it after all.
Once he recovered, she'd take him far away from here.
She scanned the bedroom - every piece of furniture chosen together during happier times with Alexander.
The walk-in closet overflowed with designer dresses, half of them gifts from her husband.
Evelyn grabbed a suitcase and began methodically packing her belongings.
These luxuries had no place in her new life abroad. If she was leaving, she'd leave completely.
Room by room, she'd erase all traces of herself from this mansion.
Making space for Alexander's next wife.
A man like him wouldn't stay single for long.
The cello piece she'd played earlier had been her silent goodbye.
Not that he'd understood its significance.
Perhaps Isabella had been right all along - Evelyn was the interloper in their childhood romance.
Tears pricked her eyes as she zipped the final suitcase.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway - Alexander returning from dinner.
Evelyn quickly switched off the closet light and stepped out just as the door opened.
"Evelyn, Isabella's awake." Alexander's voice was carefully neutral.
Her breath hitched at the unexpected mention. "How is she?"
"Not well. The doctors say she's clinically depressed. That night... it broke her. I'm arranging for her to recuperate overseas in two weeks."
Evelyn's stomach dropped. Two weeks? Exactly when she planned to leave.
"Are you going with her?" Her voice barely above a whisper.
"Just to drop her off. I have meetings in London."
She studied the carpet. "You should spend time with her before then."
Alexander's brows furrowed at her unusual compliance.
Something felt off.
He searched her face for clues, but found only practiced calm.
Evelyn avoided his gaze. "It's late. Will you be working in the study tonight?"
"No." His jaw tightened. "I'll sleep here."
They lay inches apart yet worlds away.
Evelyn now understood the true meaning of sharing a bed but not a heart.
Alexander watched the rise and fall of her shoulders, hand hovering uncertainly.
He'd waited days for her to confess about the baby.
Her silence spoke volumes.
Would she really let him raise another man's child?
Frustration burned in his chest as he suddenly pulled her against him.
His kiss was desperate, aching with unspoken questions.
"Evelyn," he whispered against her lips, "did you ever love me?"
Once, she would have answered without hesitation.
Now, she simply deepened the kiss, fingers tangling in his hair.
Alexander's breath hitched. Her evasion was answer enough.
"Tell me you love me," he pleaded, voice raw. "Just say it."
For the first time, the mighty Alexander Whitmore sounded broken.
One word, and he'd forgive everything - raise another man's child, pretend their marriage wasn't crumbling.
But Evelyn only sighed. "We should sleep."
The gulf between them yawned wider.
She remembered the hospital visit, how they'd barred her from seeing her son.
Alexander's orders.
Was this his twisted way to control her? Keep her from leaving?
Dawn found Alexander's side of the bed empty.
Evelyn wasn't surprised.
She finished packing the remaining clothes, then called Oliver.
"Need you to take these to Hawthorne Estate," she said when he arrived.
Oliver's eyes widened at the luggage. "Running away?"
"Yes."
"Does Alexander know?"
Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "He won't notice."
Oliver's expression darkened. Alexander's recent absences spoke volumes.
"You just had a baby! Where the hell is he?"
Evelyn thought of yesterday - Alexander holding Isabella's hand at the hospital.
"Someone more important needed him," she murmured.
Oliver's fist clenched. "That bitch Isabella? I'll kill him!"
Evelyn caught his arm. "Don't. Just help me with these."
"Come home, Evelyn. We'll raise the kid together."
"I'm not going home."
"Then where?"
"Got accepted to a music conservatory abroad. Taking my son. Don't tell anyone."
Oliver exhaled sharply. "Good. When do you leave?"
"Two weeks."
Just enough time to finalize everything before the semester began.