Chapter 536
No.1
Her meaningful glance at Madeline carried both grace and warning: "Worst of all, exploiting your devotion to family, using you as their pawn. Mother, you almost lost your true grandchild."
Madeline could only nod repeatedly.
"That child was never mine," Alexander stated abruptly.
At their puzzled looks, he explained, "She once stole my hotel keycard... I have no memory of..."
His gaze flickered to Evelyn.
Security footage showed Evelyn leaving quickly that night, with Isabella entering afterward. He suspected tampering.
"No memory means nothing happened," Mr. Kingsley declared firmly, glancing pointedly at Evelyn.
No.2
A nurse entered, announcing visiting hours were over.
Outside, Eleanor immediately chastised Alexander, "She's carrying your child. When will you make Evelyn your wife?"
In the Kingsley ancestral home, Mr. Kingsley nervously rubbed his hands together. He was the only one who knew about Alexander and Evelyn's reconciliation, yet had to pretend complete ignorance.
"We..." Alexander scanned the room, his tone calm, "have already registered our marriage."
"What?" Mr. Kingsley sprang up first, delivering an Oscar-worthy performance.
Madeline Kingsley nearly dropped her teacup. She suddenly remembered Evelyn's words from last time - they hadn't been a provocation after all.
"What about the wedding?" Eleanor pressed anxiously. "Wedding dresses don't look good on pregnant bellies."
No.3
"No wedding." Alexander remained impassive. "We've decided on a secret marriage."
The Kingsleys exchanged bewildered glances.
"The pregnancy was unexpected." Alexander added. "The marriage is just to legitimize the child."
Madeline nodded repeatedly while the others looked troubled. This didn't seem like reconciliation at all.
Eleanor couldn't help sighing. "You're truly despicable."
...
"Lord Alex!" A subordinate rushed in. "The Winslows have taken Isabella and fled!"
No.4
"Where?" Alexander's gaze turned icy.
"Private jet. Straight to another country."
Madeline's voice trembled. "And the baby...?"
"The doctor confirmed she'd already miscarried." The subordinate reported. "They fled without even completing the D&C surgery."
Eleanor sneered. "Guilty conscience!"
Patriarch Kingsley slammed the table. "Disgraceful!"
Madeline turned pale. She'd nearly made the family acknowledge an illegitimate child, and almost harmed Evelyn's unborn baby.
No.5
...
In the hospital room late at night, Alexander set aside some documents.
"I told them about the secret marriage." He suddenly spoke.
Evelyn kept her eyes closed, murmuring a soft "Mm."
"Everyone signed NDAs." He paused. "I'll screen the staff again."
No response came from the hospital bed.
Alexander stood and approached, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. He leaned over Evelyn, his piercing gaze intense.
No.6
"Evelyn." His voice lowered. "I'm furious today."
Evelyn's lashes fluttered slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes.
Alexander's voice was low and restrained. "Does nothing about you concern me when I'm not around?"
She pressed her lips together, offering no immediate reply.
"Evelyn," he suddenly asked, "why did you agree to marry me back then?"
The question froze the air between them.
Hadn't he been the one forcing her hand?
No.7
Standing before the civil registry office, he'd given her an ultimatum—marry him or lose their child. When had she ever had a choice?
"Remember what you said that day?" Alexander continued when she remained silent. "You asked if I could protect this child."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the bedsheet.
She had indeed said those words.
"But when you truly needed me, you chose to face it alone." Suppressed anger laced his voice. "Do you despise me that much?"
The question had been a blunt knife grinding against his heart for too long.
Alexander Kingsley, decisive in all matters, became hesitant only in matters of the heart.