Chapter 21

Alexander's hands trembled uncontrollably. A sharp pain pierced through his chest as if invisible thorns were tearing his heart apart. Without thinking, he scooped Evelyn into his arms.

"Alexander! Where are you taking Evelyn?" Victoria's shrill voice cut through the air as she rushed forward to block his path.

Ignoring her completely, Alexander dashed toward the hospital with Evelyn cradled against his pounding chest. The memory of their first childhood meeting flashed before his eyes - that quiet, golden afternoon that had haunted his dreams for years.

His pulse raced erratically. The man who had sworn to despise Evelyn forever now found himself sprinting through the hospital doors, shouting for help. The crimson stains on his shirt mocked him - she had told him about the pregnancy, about their child.

An invisible vise tightened around his throat. For the first time in years, Alexander prayed desperately for Evelyn's survival.

Pacing outside the operating room, he nearly collided with a nurse emerging through the swinging doors. "How is she? My wife - is she—"

The nurse's glare could have frozen hell. "Some husband you are. Letting a pregnant woman run through the storm covered in injuries? She's hemorrhaging with a high fever. Only divine intervention can save that baby now."

Alexander's vision blurred. The suffocating guilt threatened to drown him. Only one thought remained clear - Evelyn must survive.

When the operating lights finally dimmed, Alexander rushed to the gurney. Evelyn's ghostly pallor sent another stab through his chest. He grasped her icy fingers, his usual cold demeanor shattered.

'Evelyn... why did you call me Lex? How do you know about my childhood promise to Lillian?'

In the VIP suite, Evelyn floated in and out of consciousness. Warmth seeped into her bones from someone's steady grip on her hand.

Morning light stung her eyes when she finally awoke. Her fingers twitched - still encased in a familiar, comforting warmth. Blinking in disbelief, she found Alexander slumped beside her bed, their hands still entwined.

This had to be a dream.

Alexander stirred the moment she moved. His palm pressed against her forehead - checking the fever that had broken overnight. Evelyn's breath hitched at his unexpected tenderness.

"Alexander—" Her throat burned with the effort.

"Don't speak." His voice held an unfamiliar softness. "Let me get you water."

Tears pricked her eyes as he carefully helped her sip. The man who had ignored her existence for years now cradled her against his chest with heartbreaking gentleness.

"Alexander, why—"

"When did you learn about the baby?" His thumb brushed her cheekbone. "Why keep this from me?"

Evelyn froze, the glass trembling in her hands. She'd told him explicitly that stormy night. Watching her confusion, Alexander simply tucked the blankets around her.

"Rest now. We'll talk when you're stronger." His lips grazed her temple as he settled her back onto the pillows.

Tears spilled freely now. Had he remembered their childhood promise when she'd called him "Lex"? Or was this guilt over nearly losing their child?

The reason didn't matter. For this fleeting moment, Alexander finally saw her.

Reluctantly, Alexander left when his phone buzzed with urgent calls from Blackwood Enterprises. Approaching the elevators, Victoria's hushed voice stopped him cold.

"Doctor, are you certain?" Her shocked whisper carried down the corridor. "You mustn't tell Evelyn's husband about this!"