Chapter 17

Fate is always fair.

Evelyn Carter discovered that when love failed her, work flourished. The project report that had plagued her for two months was miraculously completed after one sleepless night.

At 5:30 AM, her phone screen lit up.

"I'm on my way. Be there in an hour," Vivian Dempsey's voice came through the receiver.

Evelyn tightened her grip on the phone. "You didn’t have to come this early."

"Any later and we’ll hit traffic!" Vivian yawned. "Hurry up and get ready. I hate waiting."

Her luggage was already packed—a backpack with a charger and a few changes of clothes sat quietly on the coffee table.

She hadn’t brought her laptop, finishing the entire report on her phone. Now her eyes burned as if rubbed with sandpaper.

With time to spare before Vivian’s arrival, Evelyn stepped onto the balcony. The mountain breeze was crisp, unexpectedly refreshing.

The luxury suite’s terrace offered a breathtaking view of the entire mountain range. But the peaceful morning was shattered by a heated argument from above.

She didn’t need to look up. That voice was all too familiar.

"So, you’re abandoning me now?" Annabelle Taylor’s tearful voice cut through the quiet.

"I’m married," Alexander Hamilton replied, his tone icy.

"But you love me!"

Silence.

"Alexander, the woman you married is also named Evelyn. Don’t tell me that’s a coincidence!"

He suddenly laughed, the sound laced with mockery. "And what position are you asking from? My best friend?"

"You’re angry with me."

The scent of tobacco drifted through the air. He was smoking again.

"I know I was wrong. Terribly wrong."

"You weren’t wrong," Alexander’s voice turned sharp. "How could you ever be wrong?"

Annabelle’s tone softened. "Alexander… let’s stop being friends. I want to be your woman."

Evelyn turned and walked back inside, her fingers cold.

The thin veil had finally been torn apart.

Her phone lit up again. Margaret Hamilton had sent over a dozen wedding dress photos. "Evelyn, which one do you like?"

"Mom, why are we looking at wedding dresses all of a sudden?"

"You never had a proper wedding. Let’s make up for it during your vacation. The Hamiltons won’t shortchange you."

Messages kept coming—invitation designs, favor boxes, guest gifts. Her mother-in-law had planned every detail.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Evelyn, are you awake?"

Alexander stood at the door, his eyes bloodshot.

"What is it?"

"...Yeah."

She stepped aside to let him in and gestured to the sofa. "Sit."

He glanced around. "Why aren’t you in pajamas?"

"Alexander." She called him by his full name for the first time. "Say what you need to say."

He hesitated several times. Evelyn waited patiently.

"Let’s… get a divorce."

"Sure." Her reply was immediate, her lips even curving into a smile.

His head snapped up. "Aren’t you going to ask why?"

"I already know." She met his gaze squarely. "Alexander, stop playing dumb."

He covered his face, his voice hoarse. "...I’m sorry."

"Congratulations."

"For what?"

"Your twenty-year wait has finally paid off."

"...You knew all along?"

"It wasn’t hard to guess."

Alexander shut his eyes in pain. "I really did want to spend my life with you..."

"If Annabelle hadn’t come back," Evelyn finished for him.

"The house is yours..."

"I don’t need money."

"Then if you ever—"

"Let’s not stay in touch after the divorce."

He gave a bitter laugh. "We could still be friends..."

"Friends?" Evelyn scoffed. "The best friend kind?"

Alexander fell silent.

Her phone rang at the perfect moment. Vivian’s voice was bright. "I’m here. Come down!"

Evelyn slung her backpack over her shoulder and reached for the doorknob.

"Who was that?" Alexander asked.

"A friend." She turned back with a faint smile. "A real one."