Charlotte shook her head, a tearful smile on her face. Had Alexander been dipping his tongue in honey today?
Dinner with Alexander was a rare moment of peace. Evelyn felt like she hadn't been this relaxed in ages.
Alexander was back. Her heart could finally rest. And today, he seemed like a different man. He kept trying to cheer her up. It was hard for her to stay sad.
At the table, they didn't bring up the troubles of the past few days. They didn't talk about how to solve the next problem. They just joked around. They ate their Western food. They talked about the baby. They pretended nothing had happened.
They were still the same as before. Living in Sterling Manor. Living in peace and harmony, taking care of their family.
After dinner, Alexander took Evelyn to the bedroom to watch a movie. They curled up on the double sofa. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him. They watched an old movie. It was a rare moment of pure relaxation.
Maybe it was the excitement. Or maybe it was the pregnancy. Evelyn soon felt sleepy. By ten o'clock, she was fast asleep.
Alexander didn't wake her. He just held her until she drifted off.
Evelyn slept in his arms until dawn.
When she woke up, he was gone. There was a note on the bedside table. He wrote that she was sleeping so soundly, he couldn't bear to wake her. He had gone to work first.
He also drew a little cartoon. It showed Evelyn as a pig, sleeping on her side, snoring loudly.
Evelyn looked at the note and couldn't help but laugh. She felt a little lonely that he wasn't there when she woke up. But seeing his handwritten note made her feel warm inside.
She tucked the note into a book she was reading. She would use it as a bookmark.
She got up and went to the bathroom to wash up.
After breakfast, she called Charlotte. She knew Charlotte would call Noah if she couldn't reach her. Noah would tell her everything was okay. But to ease Charlotte's worry, Evelyn called her anyway.
Charlotte's voice came through the phone. "I thought you'd vanished!"
Her tone was a mix of anger and relief. It was just like her contradictory personality.
"Just missing for a few days!" Evelyn laughed.
"So why are you calling me now?"
"I was afraid you'd worry too much. I had to reach out."
"I don't care about you!"
"Liar," Evelyn said with a smile.
"You're right and wrong! What happened that day?"
"I'm not sure. I think someone was following me."
"Are you sure it wasn't your imagination?"
"Very possible."
"Get out of here. Tell me the truth."
"I am telling the truth," Evelyn said, still smiling. "Someone was following me. I didn't know what to do. So I called you. You sent Noah to pick me up. I got in his car. Later, my husband sent someone to get me."
"So you're okay?"
"I'm fine. I just called to tell you not to worry about me."
"I wasn't worried. But did you call Noah? He seemed really worried about you."
"Oh, you and him really helped me that day. I'll treat you both to dinner sometime."
"Don't be polite with me. But you should call Noah. Put his mind at ease."
"I will. Thank you, Charlotte."
"Evelyn, I told you. Don't be polite with me."
Evelyn laughed, feeling touched. "I'm so lucky to have a good sister like you."
"I'm the unlucky one. How did I end up with you?" Charlotte scolded, but her eyes were filled with tears.
"It won't be bad luck anymore. From now on, I'll have your back."
"Forget it. You can't even protect yourself."
"Then let my son protect your daughter in the future."
"Get out of here!"
They laughed for a long time before hanging up.
You don't need many friends. Just one or two good ones. Evelyn felt lucky to have Charlotte. A good friend. A good sister.
After calling Charlotte, Evelyn hesitated for a moment. Then she called Noah.
"Noah, it's me," she said.
"I know. How have you been?" he asked.
"I've been great. I was a little busy the past few days. Sorry I didn't call."
"Evelyn, when did you become so formal with me?" he asked softly.
"Well, it's not that. But I really should have called. If you hadn't helped me that day, I don't know what would have happened."
"A lucky person always finds a way. Even if it wasn't me, someone else would have helped you."
"I don't know about that. But you did help me a lot. I know saying thank you isn't enough. But I still want to say it. Thank you for saving me."
"Evelyn, are you happy?" Noah suddenly asked. The question seemed to come out of nowhere.
Evelyn was stunned for a moment. Then she said, "I'm very happy."
"Are you really?" Noah asked quietly. He didn't seem to believe her. But there was nothing he could do. Finally, he said slowly, "Happiness is good. As long as you're happy."
"Noah, we all deserve happiness. Not just me. You and Charlotte too. We all deserve our own happiness.
Noah, I have something to say. You might not like hearing it. But it's from my heart.
There's a lot of happiness out there. But you have to reach for it. If you just stand on the sidelines, it won't come to you.
You're smart. I know you understand what I mean."
"I understand. But Charlotte and I are better off as friends," Noah said bluntly.
"I don't know what to say. And I don't think I have the right to say anything. But I hope you and Charlotte can look forward. I hope you both find happiness.
We weren't born just to exist for someone else. We've been working hard for our own lives and happiness, haven't we?"
"You're right," Noah agreed.
"Good. I'm not very good at expressing myself. I was afraid I'd say the wrong thing. I'm glad you understand.
When things settle down, let's go out for a meal together," Evelyn invited.
"Sure. I'll call you when you're free."
"Okay. That's it for now. Thank you."
"Evelyn, don't be polite with me."
"Okay. Bye," Evelyn replied with a smile.
"Goodbye," Noah answered quietly.
Evelyn hung up the phone. She thought about Noah. Through him, she seemed to see the shadow of another person.