Evelyn lifted her head and spoke to her sister.
“Alexander’s phone. He asked if I went back.”
“Didn’t you text him that we’d be home after dinner?” Victoria replied.
“I guess he didn’t see it,” Evelyn said, picking up her chopsticks again. “The food here is amazing. I need to eat more.”
“Take your time. I’ll drive you back later.”
“Mm-hmm,” Evelyn mumbled, her mouth full.
They were almost done eating. Evelyn needed to use the restroom.
Victoria told her to walk out of the private room and go all the way to the left. She asked if Evelyn wanted her to come along.
Evelyn said no. She’d be right back. She stepped out of the room and headed for the restroom.
At the door, she hesitated, trying to remember which way was left. Once she was sure, she turned left.
She walked to the end and saw the sign for the ladies’ room. She went inside.
After using the restroom, she washed her hands and started walking back.
Just then, the door to the room across from hers opened. A waiter came out.
Evelyn looked up. It was only a glance, but she caught a clear view of the two people sitting by the window inside that room.
Alexander was lowering his head, lighting a cigarette. Grace O’Sullivan sat across from him, staring at him without moving. Even without seeing her face, Evelyn could feel the intensity of that gaze.
For a second, Evelyn’s heart felt like it had been struck by something heavy. She could barely breathe.
“Evelyn, why are you standing there?”
Victoria had finished her soup. When Evelyn didn’t come back, she got worried. She grabbed her bag and was about to go look for her.
She opened the door and saw Evelyn standing there, frozen, staring at the room across the hall.
“Come back inside,” Victoria whispered.
Evelyn followed her sister back into their room.
She didn’t want to guess why Alexander, who was supposed to be working late, was here.
Or why he was with Grace O’Sullivan.
She had lost her appetite. After a few spoonfuls of soup, she set her chopsticks down.
“Full?” Victoria looked up at her.
“I’m full,” Evelyn answered.
“Rest a bit, then we’ll head back,” Victoria said.
“I’d rather go now. I’m a little tired,” Evelyn said suddenly.
She was afraid of running into Alexander and Grace later.
She didn’t know what to do right now. She needed to calm down and think before she figured out her next move.
“Are you feeling sick? Do you need to go to the hospital?” Victoria’s face filled with worry.
“I’m fine, sis. I just had a long afternoon. I’m a little worn out,” Evelyn said.
“Alright, I’ll pay the bill first.” Victoria pressed the call button.
A moment later, the waiter brought the check.
Evelyn paid before Victoria could.
“Still being polite with your sister?” Victoria said.
“No, I just had cash on me. No need to use the card,” Evelyn replied.
Victoria didn’t argue. Evelyn was well-off now. Treating her to a meal was no big deal.
After paying, they opened the door and stepped out of the room. At the same time, the door across the hall opened.
“Alexander—” Victoria was surprised to see him. She turned to Evelyn. “Evelyn, didn’t you say he was working late?”
“Evelyn, you’re here too.” Alexander was stunned for a moment when he saw her. But it passed quickly. The next second, he was calm again. He walked over.
“Yes. My sister said this place was good.
You and Grace are here for dinner too?” Evelyn tried to force a smile, but she couldn’t. She just tried to stay calm. She didn’t answer her sister’s question.
She was a mess. She didn’t know how to handle this.
Victoria was surprised at first. When she heard the name Evelyn mention, she remembered Caleb Brooks’ cousin from this afternoon.
“What a coincidence, Evelyn. You just finished eating?” Grace was startled too. She smiled and greeted Evelyn.
“Yes. What a coincidence,” Evelyn said. She tried to keep her voice steady. “This is my sister, Victoria. And this is Grace O’Sullivan, Caleb’s cousin.”
Victoria didn’t respond. She looked at Grace, then turned to look at Alexander. She stepped closer to Evelyn and took her arm.
“Evelyn, let’s go home.”
“Sis—” Evelyn was at a loss.
Alexander grabbed Evelyn’s hand and spoke to Victoria.
“Victoria, you’ve misunderstood.”
“Whether I misunderstood or not doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you’ve done something wrong to my sister,” Victoria replied angrily.
“I’ll explain everything to Evelyn clearly,” Alexander said.
“Evelyn, do you want to go back with me, or with him?” Victoria ignored Alexander. She looked at Evelyn and asked.
“Sis, take me back,” Evelyn said. Then she turned to Alexander. “If you have things to deal with, go ahead. I’ll head back first.”
Finally, she turned to Grace.
“Grace, we’ll go first.”
Evelyn didn’t wait for a reply. She pulled her hand free from Alexander’s grip and followed Victoria toward the door.
Neither of them spoke on the way out. Victoria kept glancing at Evelyn. Evelyn was silent, her face expressionless.
Even though she knew Alexander and Grace were right behind them.
Once they were in the car.
Victoria looked at Evelyn and asked.
“Evelyn, do you really want to go back to the house?”
“Sis, I don’t want to do anything impulsive until I know the truth.
Even if there’s a problem, I want to solve it with Alexander.
I came from there. I’ll go back there,” Evelyn said quietly.
Victoria looked at her sister. For the first time, she realized Evelyn was far stronger and wiser than she had ever known.
She reversed the car out of the parking spot. She saw Alexander and Grace standing behind her.
For a moment, Victoria almost impulsively stepped on the gas and ran over those two shameless people.
But she only thought about it. She turned the wheel and drove out of the lane.
Evelyn kept her head down. Even though she could feel Alexander standing there, staring at her, she was too confused. She didn’t want to communicate with him at all.
The car drove out of the alley and onto the main road.
“Alexander, go back and explain it to Evelyn. If she doesn’t believe you, I can explain it to her myself,” Grace said, stepping forward.
“No. She’s not the type to be suspicious. Let’s go. I’ll take you back.” Alexander finished speaking and walked toward his car.
Grace watched his back. Her expression was a little dejected.