Chapter 78

The dining table was lavishly spread with an array of Evelyn’s favorite dishes, each one meticulously prepared.

Evelyn hesitated, her brows knitting in confusion. She and Alexander had shared only a handful of meals together. How could he possibly know her preferences so well?

Was this mere coincidence?

Taking her seat, she noticed Alexander’s attire—a crisp Mandarin collar shirt that concealed his neck. Less formal than his usual suits, yet it lent him an air of restrained elegance.

Biting her lower lip, Evelyn finally voiced the question burning in her mind. "Why didn’t you tell me you were returning?"

Alexander calmly ladled a bowl of fragrant soup and set it before her. "If I had, how would I have discovered you dining with another man?" His voice was deceptively smooth. "Mrs. Whitmore, have I been too indulgent with you?"

Evelyn’s breath hitched. She had been careless.

At the time, she’d only wanted to avoid Ryan Fletcher and Vanessa Hart—she hadn’t considered how it might look.

"It wasn’t a date," she murmured, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "Ryan is your nephew. Think of it as… a mentor treating a junior to dinner."

Alexander’s gaze darkened, the unspoken tension thickening between them.

Evelyn swallowed.

She had a feeling this conversation was far from over.

Evelyn's voice trailed off, the weight of her guilt pressing heavily on her chest.

The dinner last night… She hadn’t even been the one to pay for it.

A wave of confusion washed over her, but she could see things from Alexander’s perspective.

"Coming home to find his new wife drunk on a date with his nephew… It must have felt like some twisted drama."

"I’m sorry," Evelyn murmured, lowering her gaze. She was grateful Alexander had brought her home safely instead of unleashing his anger right then and there.

Given everything he had sacrificed by marrying her, the last thing she wanted was to cause him more trouble.

"Mr. Whitmore, I was wrong. I—"

Before she could finish, Alexander’s brow furrowed.

He speared a piece of meat with his fork and held it to her lips.

Evelyn instinctively parted her lips, swallowing both the food and her unfinished apology.

A flicker of exasperation crossed Alexander’s face as he noticed her untouched plate. He nudged it toward her, silently urging her to eat.

"There’s no need to apologize. I’m not upset with you."

Evelyn blinked, stunned. It took her a moment to process his words.

Hold Your Liquor

Evelyn’s thoughts raced. Not blaming me?

Then why does he look so upset?

"You can’t handle alcohol well," Alexander said, his voice firm. "Don’t drink unless I’m with you."

Evelyn nodded quickly.

"Especially not around other men," he added, his gaze sharp.

She nodded again, more earnestly this time.

Absolutely!

Drinking is nothing but trouble!

I never expected to get so drunk last night.

That cocktail was way too strong!

A sudden worry struck her. "I didn’t… throw up on the way home, did I?"

"No," Alexander answered flatly.

Relief washed over her—until another thought hit. "I didn’t do anything… embarrassing, right?"

Alexander’s brows furrowed. He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

Then, without a word, he lowered his gaze and resumed eating, leaving the question hanging in the air.

The silence unnerved her.

Why won’t he answer?

What exactly happened last night?

Her stomach twisted with unease.

Evelyn picked at her food nervously, each bite tasting like sawdust in her mouth. The silence between her and Alexander was suffocating.

What did I do wrong last night?

The question burned in her mind. She considered asking if he had changed her out of her dress.

But the thought of him undressing her while she was unconscious made her cheeks flame.

Better to pretend it never happened.

When the meal ended, she mechanically began gathering the dishes. As she stood, her gaze accidentally caught on the open collar of Alexander's shirt.

Dark love bites marred his neck and collarbones—undeniable evidence of a passionate encounter.

Her hands stilled.

He has someone else.

The realization hit like a punch to the gut. She lowered her eyes, the weight of betrayal pressing down on her.

Who is she?

She'd always known a man like Alexander would have admirers. But seeing proof of his infidelity—

The plate slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor.

The sight of that woman clinging to Alexander made Evelyn's skin crawl.

Her nails dug into her palms as a single thought burned through her mind: Absolutely not.

This is my chance—right here, right now. I won't let some opportunistic vulture swoop in and steal what's mine.

After hastily stacking the last of the dishes, Evelyn spun on her heel and marched straight back into the room.

Without hesitation, she threw herself into Alexander's arms, pressing flush against him.

His startled inhale was music to her ears.

She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze with deliberate intensity.

Let her try to compete with this.