"Take care of yourself. I'll be busy," Victoria said, then hung up.
Evelyn held her phone, thinking that no matter what, family always cares about you. They want you to be well.
Alexander left work early that evening. More accurately, he came home earlier than usual.
When he got back, Lily hadn't started dinner yet.
Alexander sat down beside Evelyn and asked.
"Do you want to eat out? We could go somewhere tonight."
"I don't feel like moving. I'd rather eat at home," Evelyn replied.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Alexander touched Evelyn's stomach and asked.
Evelyn flinched like she'd been shocked. She almost instinctively pulled away.
Alexander froze for a moment. He lifted his gaze to look at her.
Evelyn laughed awkwardly. It was almost instinctive now, rejecting his touch.
Alexander showed no unusual reaction. He just asked calmly.
"After dinner, I'll take you for a walk."
"Okay," Evelyn said softly, still embarrassed by what just happened. She didn't refuse.
Lily made meat porridge that evening. She also steamed a basket of buns.
Evelyn had told her to do it that afternoon. She suddenly craved it.
Since getting pregnant, Evelyn wasn't particularly picky about food, except for being sleepy. Occasionally, she'd ask Lily to make or buy something delicious.
So she was a very easy pregnant woman.
After Lily finished cooking, she came out of the dining room and asked the young master and lady to come eat.
Evelyn told her to go home and rest. The dishes and chopsticks could wait until tomorrow.
Lily agreed and left Sterling Manor.
Alexander took Evelyn's hand and led her into the dining room.
Evelyn immediately smelled the meat porridge. No wonder she wanted it. It smelled amazing.
Alexander served a bowl for Evelyn and one for himself. Then he asked.
"Did you ask Lily to make this?"
"Yes. I suddenly wanted it, so she cooked it."
Alexander nodded.
"I haven't had it in a while either."
"Eat more," Evelyn said.
"Tell Lily whatever you want to eat now. That way I won't worry about you starving yourself."
"No. I can take care of myself."
Alexander looked at Evelyn and smiled. He didn't say anything more. He lowered his head and started eating his porridge.
Evelyn ate quietly. So quietly that if you weren't paying attention, you might forget she was there.
Alexander looked up at her from time to time. It was like he was making sure she was still sitting across from him.
Evelyn's face was calm and indifferent. It seemed like nothing had happened. They were the same as before.
But that calmness made Alexander uneasy.
After eating, Alexander put the dishes in the sink.
Evelyn went upstairs to change. She was ready for the walk later.
Alexander cleaned up and came out of the dining room. He spoke to Evelyn, who was just coming downstairs.
"Let's go for a walk."
"Okay," Evelyn answered and walked over.
They left Sterling Manor and went for a walk in the garden.
For a long time, Alexander's hand felt cold.
"Cold?" Alexander turned his head and asked Evelyn.
"No," Evelyn shook her head.
"Your hands are a little cold."
"I just washed them."
Alexander wrapped Evelyn's hand in his palm. He didn't say anything more.
The evening wind blew. It was slightly cold, but it made people more clear-headed.
"Iris called today. She asked when you're due. She's starting to prepare things for the baby," Alexander said.
"Don't bother Iris. She can just come see the baby when it's born," Evelyn said with some regret.
"That's Iris's intention. If you don't accept it, she'll be sad."
"Oh," Evelyn answered after a long pause. She didn't say anything more.
They walked near Audrey and Scarlett's villas. Evelyn looked at the villa where the third sister lived. It was still covered in paint fumes. So she asked.
"Hasn't the third sister moved back yet?"
"Not yet," Alexander said.
"There's no family problem that can't be solved. She could come back and apologize to her mother. Ask her mother to forgive her," Evelyn murmured.
"I'm afraid she can't let it go," Alexander sighed.
"What can't she let go? Her pride?" Evelyn turned to Alexander and asked.
"It's not about pride. It's about money."
"Oh. Everyone's needs are really different. Some want money. Some want love—"
"Evelyn—"
"I didn't tell you about going to the farm yesterday. There were lots of vegetables and fruits. The scenery was beautiful." Evelyn interrupted Alexander's words.
Alexander could only listen to Evelyn talk about walking around the farm yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Victoria was having dinner with Caleb. He was on the night shift.
"Why are you eating me? I didn't offend you yesterday," Caleb said.
"You didn't offend me. But the people around you did," Victoria replied without politeness.
"Who? What did they do?" Caleb asked.
"Is Grace really your cousin?"
"Yes. My aunt's daughter. What's wrong?" Caleb asked.
"Do you know your cousin? Would she be a homewrecker?"
Caleb looked at Victoria with a mix of tears and laughter.
"Victoria, my cousin didn't offend you."
"She didn't offend me. But I can't stand people who won't let go."
"Who won't let go?"
"Didn't you say she had a childhood sweetheart? Tell me about them." Victoria looked at Caleb curiously.
"It's not good to talk about other people's business," Caleb said, thinking about how to answer.
"Didn't you just say she was your cousin? Since she's your cousin, she's not an outsider.
We're friends. By the way, I want to know about your cousin. What's so strange about that?"
"You're clearly wrong, and you're still so reasonable."
"Don't say it," Victoria said.
"What do you want to know?" Caleb looked at Victoria helplessly and asked.
"What's going on with your cousin and her childhood sweetheart now?"
"How would I know? They broke up years ago," Caleb said, unable to laugh or cry.
"Didn't you say your cousin came back to find him again?"
"That's what my aunt said. But I don't know the specific follow-up."
"It shows you don't care about your cousin at all," Victoria complained.
"It's not that I don't want to care. But my cousin has always been very independent. She wouldn't discuss this kind of thing with me. Besides, it's not easy for others to get involved in this kind of thing. Also, I haven't been able to contact her recently. What do you think I could know?" Caleb sighed.
Victoria looked at him suspiciously. But in the end, she didn't question him further.
"Why do you suddenly care so much about my cousin?" Caleb asked curiously.
"If I said it's because I care about you, would you believe me?" Victoria smiled playfully and looked directly at Caleb.
"I'd be scared," Caleb shivered and pretended to be afraid.
Victoria rolled her eyes. She didn't want to pay attention to this guy anymore.