It was drizzling the day Alexander Sterling returned from his business trip.
He walked in, his face lit up with excitement, and said to Evelyn, "Let's go to the garden tonight. We'll make tea and watch the moon!"
Evelyn stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"Where's the moon when it's raining?" she asked flatly.
"Then we'll enjoy the night view!" Alexander corrected himself quickly.
"We don't have to go to the garden. The view from the second floor is fine."
"No, the garden is better," he insisted stubbornly.
Evelyn was almost certain he had taken some wrong medicine.
In the end, Alexander dragged her to the garden pavilion. They sat there, holding umbrellas, sipping warm water from Sterling Manor.
Evelyn asked in silence, "What exactly are we doing?"
"Don't you think this is romantic?" Alexander smiled.
"No. I just feel ridiculous."
She added that last part in her head.
"Evelyn, imagine this. We're living in a little cottage by a lake. It's raining outside. The raindrops hit the water like musical notes. We're curled up inside, making tea and chatting. Isn't that poetic?" Alexander said, lost in his own fantasy.
Evelyn was caught between anger and laughter.
"What did America do to you this time?"
"You and Emily had tea here last time. You've never done that with me."
"Are you acting out a soap opera?"
"What?"
"Nothing. If you like this, we can come out when the weather is nice. It's raining now. I don't feel like we're in a cottage. I feel like two drowned rats."
"Are you getting wet?" Alexander pulled her closer.
"No. But I feel stupid."
"Sit still. Don't let the rain hit you. Forget it, I'll hold you." He pulled her onto his lap.
Evelyn's face went dark.
She felt like she was doing something completely irrational and childish with him.
But when she saw the hope and excitement in his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to ruin it.
He started talking about all the things he thought were the most romantic in the world.
Evelyn listened. She got lost in his words. Finally, she answered, "We can do them all, one by one."
"Really?" Alexander's eyes lit up.
"Yes. It's not like they're impossible."
At that moment, she was just speaking without thinking.
But Alexander took every word to heart. He started planning when and how to make each romantic thing happen.
The rain stopped. Evelyn fell asleep in his arms.
Alexander carried her out of the pavilion.
She woke up instantly.
"Going back?"
"Yes. You'll catch a cold."
"I forgot my umbrella."
"Lily can get it tomorrow."
"Let's just take it now." Evelyn was speechless.
"I don't have a free hand."
"Put me down. I'll get it."
"Forget it. Lily can get it tomorrow." Alexander carried her straight toward Sterling Manor.
He muttered, "You're pregnant, but you don't feel heavy."
"No wonder. I've gained ten pounds." Evelyn rolled her eyes.
She had just weighed herself at her last checkup. Ten pounds heavier.
"Only ten pounds. No wonder I can't feel it. You need to eat more."
Then he lifted her up, like he was weighing something.
Evelyn gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"Feeling what ten pounds feels like." He grinned.
Evelyn was speechless.
After that night, Alexander kept doing strange things. Like sitting in the pavilion with an umbrella, drinking tea, and pretending to watch the moon.
He thought these were the most romantic things a man could do with the woman he loved.
Evelyn sometimes wondered if he had a mental problem.
But aside from these silly things, he was perfectly normal in everything else. That confused her.
Later, she read some psychology books. She finally understood Alexander's mind.
He didn't grow up with his parents. He was weak and sick as a child. He lived with Iris Hart on Misty Isle. He was bullied often. So deep down, he had no sense of security.
He wanted to be better. He wanted more love and affirmation.
That was why he was withdrawn and strong-willed. He had multiple sides to his personality. But at his core, he was a man without security.
It was also why he gave up his major and came back to take over Sterling Group when his family fell apart.
And why, when Grace O'Sullivan suddenly broke up with him, he retreated into his shell like a snail. He healed alone, searching for safety.
Now, because Evelyn had divorced him, and he almost lost her forever, he did all these things he thought were romantic. He wanted to please her. He wanted to make their relationship stronger.
When Evelyn understood all this, her heart ached for him.
One evening, she got home from work. The house was dark.
"Evelyn? Lily?" Alexander turned on the lights and called out. No one answered.
He changed his shoes and walked inside. He was about to call her when a light flickered on in the corner of the living room. Then a soft piano melody filled the air.
Alexander froze. He turned.
Evelyn was sitting at the piano in a little dress. She was playing intently. Then she started singing a song he didn't recognize.
During the interlude, she didn't stop playing. She just turned to him and smiled sweetly.
Alexander thought he was dreaming. He walked over to her.
She finished the song, stood up, and faced him.
"Did it sound good?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"Do you know what I was singing?"
"No." He shook his head.
"That's okay. When you figure out the song title, tell me. I have a prize." Evelyn wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled.
"Is today special?" Alexander asked, confused.
"No. If anything, I just wanted to share a romantic moment with you." She smiled.
Alexander smiled back and pulled her into his arms.