Chapter 33

On the last day of her annual leave, Evelyn Carter walked through the hospital gates at dawn. Her body had fully recovered, and her figure remained poised beneath the white coat.

"Good morning, Dr. Carter!"

"You're looking well, Dr. Carter!"

Colleagues greeted her warmly. Only Olivia Lightfoot trailed behind, her eyes flickering with unease.

After rounds, Olivia finally blurted out, "Dr. Carter, are you really going to—"

"The divorce is just one step away." Evelyn calmly organized the medical records. "I'll visit the civil affairs bureau when I have time."

Olivia bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. "But—"

"Get back to work." Evelyn handed her a stack of test forms. "Bed 3's ultrasound results should be ready."

She had ultimately declined the overseas assignment. On the deadline day, the dean personally came to her office.

"Those high-risk pregnancies require continuous monitoring," she explained.

The old dean smiled knowingly. "Just admit you can't bear to leave your husband."

Evelyn simply smiled without further comment.

The following days were unusually hectic. The OB-GYN department was flooded with expectant mothers, surgeries lined up one after another. Evelyn practically lived at the hospital, even eating meals in the on-call room.

Oddly, Olivia kept making trips to the hospital entrance lately.

"Dr. Carter!" She sidled up conspiratorially. "I keep feeling like someone's watching us."

Evelyn didn't look up from her charting. "Cut back on those mystery dramas."

"It's real! That sensation of being stared at—"

"Report it to security." Evelyn finally glanced up. "With recent patient tensions, we need to stay alert."

Evening brought a sudden downpour.

Evelyn stood at the hospital entrance, waiting for a cab. Through the rain, a taxi slowly pulled up before her.

"Sunset Gardens," she gave Vivian Dempsey's address.

The car crawled through traffic. The driver suddenly chuckled. "Look at that guy—drenched like a drowned rat."

Evelyn followed his gaze—

Beside a white Cayenne, Alexander Hamilton stood motionless in the rain. His shirt clung soaked to his skin, water dripping from his hair, yet he seemed oblivious.

Through the curtain of rain, his gaze remained fixed on her.