Chapter 22

Annabelle's saccharine voice grated on Alexander's nerves like nails on chalkboard.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone, veins bulging along his tensed forearm.

"Alexander, did you find her?" Annabelle feigned concern.

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Yes."

"Did she use the baby to blackmail you?" Her voice turned shrill. "I've seen plenty of women like her, trying to climb the social ladder with a pregnancy."

"Enough!" Alexander's sharp interruption cut through her words. "Evelyn would never do that."

Silence stretched for several heartbeats.

"Then..." Annabelle's tone brightened suddenly. "Did she agree to the divorce?"

Alexander felt like a blunt knife was sawing through his heart.

"She wants nothing." His voice came out hoarse. "Not even... me."

Annabelle's laughter tinkled through the receiver. "Perfect! Saves us the trouble."

Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "But we should make her sign an agreement. Just in case she secretly keeps the baby—"

"The baby's gone." His words were glacial.

"Really?" Her pitch skyrocketed. "Fantastic! Now there's absolutely no loose ends."

She prattled about celebration plans for the evening, but Alexander stopped listening.

"Alexander? Are you there?" Annabelle cooed. "We can finally start fresh."

He stared at the leaden sky outside the window.

"That was my child." Each word fell like a hammer blow.

Dead silence filled the line.

"Alexander..." Panic edged her voice now. "You don't mean—"

He ended the call with decisive finality.

Standing before the window, he studied his own reflection in the glass.

His eyes held oceans of unspeakable grief.