Chapter 850

No.1

"If I hold my end after a year," Alexander stepped closer, "we go public. You fulfill your duties as my wife."

"And," he added, "you move in with me tonight."

After a long silence, Evelyn finally nodded.

......

Outside the registry office, Alexander refused to let go of her hand.

"The contract never said no holding hands," he said shamelessly, pulling her into his embrace.

When his lips descended, she caught the faint scent of cedar.

No.2

From the car door to the elevator, then to the foyer of their new home—

His kisses grew deeper, his hands lingering at her waist.

"Stop..." She finally struggled free.

Alexander stilled, his thumb brushing her swollen lips.

"Come see your new home," he said, leading her forward.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights of Kingsbury glittered like spilled stars.

But when she saw the single king-sized bed in the bedroom, her fingers trembled slightly.

No.3

In the darkness, his whisper grazed her ear:

"I won't touch you."

"But you can touch me."

His breath scorched her skin, turning the tips of her ears crimson.

Alexander Kingsley never imagined his wedding night would unfold like this.

Evelyn Sinclair lay curled on the far side of the bed, her back turned to him. Moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting dappled shadows across her smooth skin.

He reached out, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger.

No.4

"Alexander..."

"Call me husband." His voice was low.

Evelyn sighed. "Sophie—"

"She's back at the hospital." Alexander cut her off. "And I arranged your marital leave."

She turned abruptly, alarm flashing in her eyes. "We agreed to keep this secret."

"People will only know you're married." His gaze darkened, knuckles whitening. "They don't need to know to whom."

Julian Ashford would find out.

No.5

That was enough.

After a pause, Evelyn gave a slight nod.

The submissive gesture made Alexander's throat tighten. He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "Or you could call me Alex... like before."

She closed her eyes, lashes trembling.

Exhaustion weighed on her.

Too exhausted to indulge his demands.

Alexander interlaced their fingers. "Evelyn, tonight is our wedding night."

No.6

She understood the unspoken message.

Once would never be enough.

Her escape from Kingsbury had failed. Now she needed his protection.

And the price was herself.

......

"Why aren't you happy?"

After the third time, Alexander finally noticed her detachment. Since their breakup, he hadn't seen a genuine smile from her.

No.7

Evelyn murmured two flat words. "My hand hurts."

He brought her fingers to his lips. "Let it rest tomorrow." His gaze trailed lower, implying alternatives.

She withdrew her hand. "Alexander, I need sleep. Even if I don't, the baby does."

The air froze.

Her cold dismissal was perfectly timed.

Yet the next day, Kingsley Group employees noticed something unusual.