Chapter 1152

No.1

Or rushing downstairs at the sound of his car.

That Evelyn had starlight in her eyes.

She'd ask if he was hungry, list what the kitchen had prepared.

On rare nights when he nodded, she'd happily prepare everything.

That version of Evelyn now felt like someone from another lifetime.

Yet only two months had passed.

"Mr. Kingsley, do you need to rest?" Evelyn interrupted his thoughts.

No.2

"No, I rested earlier." He'd taken his nap early just to spend more time with her.

"So you do remember," he said suddenly.

His habits. Their past. She remembered everything.

Then why had she left so decisively?

Evelyn pretended not to hear.

She emptied her bag onto the coffee table—

Pen, notebook, phone, lipstick, tissues, mirror, recorder, camera, cardholder.

No.3

"Need to inspect these?"

"Unnecessary." Alexander's voice lowered. "What haven't you seen of mine?"

After five years sharing a bed, they had no secrets.

Today's interview was merely an excuse to see her.

Eleanor Kingsley had warned him to stay away from Evelyn.

But if Evelyn came to him, that was different.

"No formal write-up today. Let's just talk," Evelyn said, knowing this was just procedure.

No.4

She flipped through her notes for a topic. "What's keeping you busy this afternoon?"

"Bulk futures trading in South America."

"Agriculture?" Evelyn's interest piqued.

To her surprise, Alexander actually explained: "This year we're partnering with their largest trading firm. We'll control ninety percent of the global—"

Enough to manipulate market prices.

"You're telling me your position?" Evelyn tensed. "No! I can't hear this!"

Such trade secrets were dangerous knowledge.

No.5

Alexander didn't need to prove his trust this way.

Somehow, they'd drifted close enough for him to embrace her.

"You can know everything." His gaze deepened. "Including my truest thoughts."

Evelyn tried to retreat, but his arm encircled her waist.

"Alexander!"

She pushed him away forcefully. "Aunt Eleanor forbade this!"

"If you consent, she has no grounds to object." Alexander held firm. "After all I've done, don't you understand? In my heart... in my—"

No.6

The words stuck in his throat, but delaying further was impossible.

"My heart has always held you."

Locking eyes with her, he finally confessed.

Evelyn stared at him—surprised, stunned, but unmoved.

Others had told her this before, letting her delude herself with false hope.

This was the first time Alexander had said it himself.

"Evelyn," now that he'd started, the rest came easier, "you've always been in my heart. Can't you feel it?"

No.7

......

"Let go!"

Evelyn Sinclair wrenched free from Alexander Kingsley's grip, recoiling to the far end of the sofa as if escaping contagion.

Her lips curled into a sardonic smile. "What's this act about, Mr. Kingsley? Some grand romantic gesture?"

Alexander's expression darkened.

"Seven years," Evelyn whispered, her fingers trembling. "What was I to you? A plaything you could summon and dismiss at will? Or just a target for your paranoia?"