"It's fine. He had a good time." Grace O'Sullivan offered a faint, indifferent smile.
"Don't be so fake. Don't tell me you weren't sad seeing him last night." "The man you love most is marrying another woman." "They appear in front of you, all lovey-dovey." "And you feel nothing at all?" "I won't believe that, even if you kill me." "Go on by yourself. I can't help you anyway." Owen Clarke waved his hand, ready to pour more wine. But Grace held the bottle down.
"Don't drink. You've had too much." Grace's voice was calm.
"Too much? I can't even get drunk. It's just depressing." Owen sounded frustrated.
"So what if you get drunk?" "Tomorrow, when you wake up, everything will be the same." Grace gave a bitter smile, finally letting a trace of loneliness and helplessness show.
Owen looked at her. After a moment, he spoke. "Grace, stop waiting." "Alexander and Evelyn won't get a divorce." "The Sterling family doesn't have a tradition of divorce."
"I'm not waiting for anyone." "I don't want anyone to get a divorce." "Marriage is a lifelong commitment. How can you just say you're leaving?" "Isn't that a joke?" "Don't worry about me. I'm fine." Grace said this and poured herself a glass of wine.
Some pain can only be endured alone. No one can replace it. No one can share it.
Alexander finished his cigarette and went back to the bedroom. Evelyn was still in the bath. He didn't think much. He opened the bathroom door and walked straight in.
Evelyn was startled and turned around. Alexander was already taking off his clothes, walking toward her. She panicked, quickly grabbing a towel and wrapping herself in it. She hadn't even finished rinsing her hair.
She thought Alexander might be drunk. Maybe the alcohol was just starting to hit him. But that wasn't true. He hadn't drunk much in the afternoon. By the time they got home, the effects were long gone.
Alexander reached her. Evelyn looked up at him, embarrassed. "I haven't finished washing yet."
"Together." Alexander's response was calm.
"Huh?" Evelyn stared at him in dismay.
Alexander had already pulled her close and turned on the shower. Warm water poured down over them. Evelyn stood there, drenched and stunned, unable to react for a moment.
That day, Evelyn woke up early. She had set the alarm clock in advance. So even though Alexander had kept her up until dawn last night, she got up as soon as the alarm went off.
She picked up her phone and turned off the alarm. Then she turned to look at Alexander. He was still sleeping. His brows were slightly furrowed, disturbed by the alarm sound.
Right now, he was lying there like a lazy pig. Careless and casual. It was a far cry from Alexander's usual polished image. Evelyn found it amusing.
She put down her phone and lifted the blanket, ready to get up. The next second, Alexander pulled her back into his arms. He moved closer to her side, as if afraid of the cold.
Evelyn was caught between laughter and tears. Alexander never liked lying in bed. But once he was asleep, no one could wake him. And if someone disturbed him, he would get very grumpy. So she didn't dare to provoke him at this moment.
She just wanted to wait until he was a little more asleep, then slip out of bed. But even though Alexander was asleep, his hand was still groping her. Evelyn was embarrassed and pressed his hand down. Alexander broke free and continued his advances. Evelyn pressed again. Alexander broke free again.
It was like two people playing a game of cat and mouse. Finally, Alexander seemed to get annoyed. He pulled Evelyn closer, turned over, and became even more aggressive. And he never opened his eyes the whole time. Evelyn couldn't tell if he was awake or just sleepwalking.
But because of the huge difference in strength, Alexander did whatever he wanted. After the alarm clock rang, she got up more than an hour late. Evelyn was almost squinting as she stood in front of the sink to wash up. She was so sleepy that if she lay down, she would fall asleep again.
But she couldn't sleep anymore. She couldn't get up this late every day. She had to help in the kitchen today. So Evelyn washed up, changed her clothes, and walked out of the dressing room.
Alexander was still asleep, lazily holding the blanket. Evelyn couldn't help but smile. Her heart softened. Alexander really was like a child sometimes.
She helped him pull the other side of the blanket up. Then she walked out of the bedroom, afraid to wake him.
When she stepped out of Sterling Manor, the sun shone on her face. Evelyn couldn't help squinting. It was a beautiful day. Sunny. A good day to work. Evelyn said to herself with a smile.
When she got to the kitchen, she saw Harper Bell washing vegetables. Evelyn went to help.
"Good morning, young lady." Harper greeted her.
"Good morning, Harper." Evelyn responded.
When breakfast was ready, Evelyn looked at the table with a satisfied expression. Finally, she had made a table that seemed passable.
Alexander reached out to touch the other side of the bed. He touched nothing. He opened his eyes and saw the other side of the bed was empty. Evelyn wasn't there. His brow furrowed.
"Evelyn—" Alexander called out. But he didn't hear a response. He had to get up.
After washing up and changing clothes, he walked out of the bedroom. Evelyn wasn't in the living room. "Where did she go?" Alexander muttered to himself.
He picked up his phone to call Evelyn. But the ringtone came from the bedroom. Alexander hung up and rubbed his forehead. It seemed he wasn't used to this yet. Waking up and not having her around for a long time. He shook his head, caught between tears and laughter. When did he become so dependent?
After Evelyn finished preparing breakfast, she went back to Sterling Manor to call Alexander to get up and eat. Before she reached the door, she heard someone calling her. She looked up and saw Alexander standing by the window, looking at her.
Evelyn immediately smiled. "Time for breakfast!"
"Where have you been?"
"Making breakfast. Come down. Let's eat." Evelyn waved and replied with a smile.
"Evelyn, does this look like we're throwing an embroidered ball to recruit a husband?" Alexander didn't move. He leaned against the window frame, looking down at her with a smile.
Evelyn looked up at him and laughed. Then she nodded, jumped, and shouted. "Handsome guy, look here! Throw the ball to me!"
Alexander laughed. Evelyn laughed too.
"Evelyn, when I throw the ball down, you have to catch it." Alexander said.
"Promise to catch it! No one else is allowed to grab it! The handsome guy upstairs is mine!" Evelyn shouted into the air around her.
Alexander came downstairs and looked at her. Evelyn stood there, looking back at him with a silly smile. Then she ran over, wrapped her arms around his waist, and said with a smile. "I caught it!"
Alexander looked down at her. Then he reached out and pinched her cheek. "You look even sillier when you laugh." Then he put his arm around her.
Evelyn didn't mind his words. She still smiled brightly.
The two of them walked to the main house for breakfast, laughing and talking all the way. Scarlett Sterling and her husband, Nathan Cole, were also on their way to the main house for breakfast. When they heard Alexander and Evelyn's laughter, Scarlett couldn't help but say. "Mom really chose the right daughter-in-law for Alexander this time." "Look how long they've been married. Their relationship is still as strong as glue." "If I didn't know, I'd think they were still in the honeymoon phase."