Chapter 249
No.1
"Waiting for you." She closed the menu.
A thousand words hovered on her tongue, yet none escaped. This strange familiarity left her torn between stepping closer and keeping her distance.
Alexander took the seat across from her. The wide round table created a gulf between them, blurring even his expression.
"Get what you like," he said flatly.
Evelyn quickly checked a few dishes and slid the menu toward him.
"No need. I ate." He didn’t take it.
Her fingers paused. "A quick bite before your meeting?"
No.2
"Hmm."
She picked up the menu again but hesitated.
"Alexander," she suddenly said, meeting his gaze. "Just say what you want from now on, okay?"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Meaning?"
"If you’re hungry or want something, tell me directly." Her stare didn’t waver. "I’ll do it if I can. If I can’t, I’ll say so."
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
"I don’t like rejection," he replied, voice cooling. "So I won’t ask anything of you."
No.3
"Like right now," Evelyn tapped the menu, "you could just admit you actually want to eat."
Alexander leaned forward abruptly. "Then feed me?"
Her ears warmed. "Don’t you have hands?"
"Forget it." He reclined, tone icing over. "Order for yourself."
She snapped the menu shut. "Already did."
His brow furrowed. "That’s all? The doctor said you need more nutrients." His gaze drifted pointedly to her abdomen. "I won’t have people thinking the Kingsleys neglect you."
Evelyn instantly understood—this was about Xavier Stapleton.
No.4
The food arrived swiftly. Alexander never touched his chopsticks, simply watching her in silence. His heavy stare made each bite tasteless.
"Really not eating?" she tried again.
"Unless you feed me."
Evelyn set down her utensils. "Ethan mentioned your stomach’s been bothering you. Some congee?"
His fingers twitched. He hadn’t expected her to remember such details.
"Unnecessary." His voice softened marginally. "I have another meeting later. Lewis will drive you home after this."
"Not coming back all week?" She caught the implication.
No.5
"Hmm. Late hours might disturb your rest." The ghost of a smile touched his lips.
He needed his arm injury to heal completely before she discovered his hospital visit that night.
Evelyn Sinclair finished her meal with deliberate calm, surprising even herself with how composed she remained.
"I'm done," she said softly, setting down her chopsticks. "Thank you."
Her gratitude was polite yet distant.
Alexander Kingsley's briefly relaxed brow furrowed again.
An invisible wall seemed to stand between them.
No.6
The closeness they once shared had been built by Evelyn herself.
Now that he was willing to lower his pride and reach out, she had retreated to a safe distance.
Every "thank you," every intentional withdrawal, reminded him how much had changed.
Even holding their marriage certificate, he couldn't shake his unease.
Especially...
Alexander forced himself to look away from her abdomen.
When caring for her, he could gaze freely. But now that jealousy had taken root, he had to restrain himself.
No.7
He clenched his jaw.
"I'll take you home," he said, changing his earlier decision to part ways.
As the car left the parking lot, Alexander subtly shifted closer to the window.
The habitual movement went unnoticed by Evelyn.
But her gaze lingered briefly on his coat, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
Something about Alexander seemed... off today.
Lost in thought, she inched slightly toward him.