Chapter 2

"Dr. Carter, do you know the patient's family?"

Olivia Lightfoot's voice reached Evelyn Carter's ears, but her gaze remained locked on the painfully familiar face before her.

Alexander Hamilton's brows were furrowed, his eyes betraying a panic he couldn't conceal.

"Are you her..." Evelyn's voice tightened as she glanced toward the operating room. "Husband?"

"Yes," Olivia chimed in. "He signed the consent forms."

Evelyn's fingers dug into her palms unconsciously.

Alexander swallowed hard. "Evelyn, let me explain."

"The surgery was successful." Her voice sounded mechanical. "Mother and baby are both stable. They'll be discharged in a few days."

The tension in his shoulders visibly eased. "Thank you."

"Just doing my job."

——

The office door creaked open as Evelyn stared blankly at her water glass.

"It's me."

Alexander stood in the doorway, his dress shirt stained with dried blood, sleeves damp at the cuffs.

"She's asleep," he offered.

Evelyn sank into her chair, fingertips cold. "The baby..."

"Not mine." The words came too quickly.

She exhaled sharply, collapsing against the backrest.

"There was an accident. It was an emergency." His voice cracked. "They needed a relative's signature, so I..."

"I understand."

The explanation made perfect sense. Yet something felt off.

——

The Cayenne idled outside the hospital entrance, the acrid smell of cigarettes making her nose wrinkle.

A dozen crushed butts littered the pavement.

"Work stress," he said preemptively, opening the passenger door.

The SUV lurched forward abruptly, nearly hitting a pedestrian.

"Watch out!"

Amid angry shouts, Alexander's face went pale.

"Sorry," he muttered as they drove. "It's been... a lot lately."

Evelyn kept her eyes on the passing buildings. "Drive safely."

"What if she's alone at the hospital?" he suddenly asked.

"There are nurses."

"But if no family comes..."

She turned to study his profile. "Why do you care so much?"

Silence swallowed the car whole.

——

Dawn was breaking when they reached home.

"I'm heading to the office." He didn't turn off the engine.

Evelyn nodded, not questioning the lie.

Some truths were better left unknown.

——

Saturday morning found her absently tracing the pregnancy test in her wallet when the phone screamed to life.

"Evelyn!" Vivian Dempsey's voice was razor-sharp. "Your husband just brought some pregnant woman into your house!"