Chapter 128

Evelyn froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. She couldn't believe what she'd just heard, but the tightening grip of Alexander's fingers around hers confirmed it wasn't a dream.

"Lillian..."

That name - so achingly familiar yet painfully distant now.

Tears welled up in Evelyn's eyes as she stared at Alexander's sleeping face, her vision blurring with unshed emotions. Memories of their first encounter at Pinecrest Heights flooded back, making her heart ache with bittersweet longing.

"Victoria, don't worry," Alexander murmured in his feverish state. "I'll keep my promise to you..."

The fragile warmth in Evelyn's chest instantly turned to ice. Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, she wrenched her hand free.

Of course. The Lillian Alexander called for wasn't her - it was Victoria Lancaster, who now went by Eveline Montgomery.

A bitter laugh escaped Evelyn's lips as she walked away. She deserved this pain. After everything, how could she still feel anything for this man?

Returning with fever medication, Evelyn hesitated when Alexander's phone buzzed. Victoria's name flashed on the screen. After a moment's deliberation, she answered.

"Alexander? Where are you?" Victoria's saccharine voice oozed through the receiver. "You promised to accompany me tonight."

"Victoria, you shameless witch," Evelyn spat, deliberately provoking. "If you're that desperate for male company, find someone who isn't my husband."

Silence. Then came the expected explosion.

"Evelyn! Why do you have that phone? Where's Alexander?"

"I'm his wife. Why shouldn't I answer his phone?"

"You—"

Evelyn could practically see Victoria's face contorting with rage through the phone.

"Don't call my husband again," Evelyn continued coldly. "If you've got free time, maybe explain to the police how your belongings ended up at Sophia's murder scene."

The sudden silence was deafening. Victoria's lack of response only confirmed Evelyn's suspicions about her involvement in Sophia's death.

Thinking of how her own parents doted on that monster, Evelyn quickly texted Eleanor Kingsley, hoping to warn her and William to be cautious. No reply came before Alexander stirred awake.

Evelyn wordlessly offered the medication and water. Alexander studied her with suspicious eyes.

"Worried I'm poisoning you?" Evelyn set the pills and glass down with a sharp clink. "Suit yourself."

She turned on her heel without waiting for a response.

Alexander watched Evelyn's retreating figure with unreadable eyes before swallowing the pills and closing his eyes again.

By evening, Evelyn had prepared dinner. Alexander joined her at the table, his fever seemingly better as he ate with surprising appetite. His gaze lingered on Evelyn sitting far from him.

"Aren't you going to eat with me?" Alexander's deep voice held a challenging note, those mesmerizing eyes locking onto hers.