Evelyn thought about it and glanced at Alexander.
She met his eyes by accident.
Instinctively, she flashed a goofy, sweet smile.
“Idiot,” Alexander muttered, looking away.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Evelyn froze.
Then anger flared in her chest.
She glared at him.
Alexander kept his eyes on the road.
He didn’t see her furious stare.
Even if he did, he wouldn’t care.
He’d just ignore her and let her stew.
Evelyn glared for a long time.
Alexander didn’t react at all.
She was wasting her energy.
Besides, she was in his car.
She couldn’t risk her life over this.
She decided to settle the score when they got back to the apartment.
They drove for a while.
But they didn’t head toward the apartment.
Evelyn looked out the window.
This wasn’t the way home.
“Alexander, aren’t we going back to the apartment?”
“We’ll have dinner at the mansion first,” he said. “Then we’ll go back.”
“Oh,” Evelyn replied, caught off guard.
She looked down at her clothes.
Then she turned to him.
“Can I wear this?”
Alexander glanced at her. “Why not?”
“Isn’t it too casual?” she asked.
She thought they were going straight to Sterling Manor.
So she wore her usual clothes.
A sweater and jeans.
The jeans even had holes in them.
When she first wore them home, her mother was shocked.
“Evelyn, why are you wearing torn pants?”
She had to explain it was the latest fashion.
This was her dormitory uniform.
She paired it with a T-shirt.
She liked the outfit.
The pants weren’t her usual style.
But she bought them anyway.
After wearing them a few times, she grew to like them.
The fabric was comfortable.
“It’s fine,” Alexander said. “Don’t students dress like that?”
“Not everyone,” she said.
“So you like this style. Keep it. No need to change.”
Evelyn wanted to explain it wasn’t her style.
But she stopped herself.
Since Alexander said it was okay, it probably was.
“If Mom asks,” Alexander added, “tell her you moved in last week.”
“Oh, okay,” Evelyn nodded.
Alexander was a filial son.
To please Mrs. Sterling, he asked Evelyn to lie.
They would pretend to be a happy couple.
When they arrived at Sterling Mansion, Evelyn got out.
She followed Alexander inside.
As they passed the wisteria trellis, Alexander ducked his head.
Evelyn watched him.
He looked like a turtle.
She couldn’t help but laugh.
Alexander turned around.
Evelyn quickly stifled her smile.
She pursed her lips.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she shook her head.
Alexander didn’t press.
He kept walking.
Evelyn followed him.
She imitated his posture.
She ducked her head and hunched her shoulders.
Like an old man.
Or a snail with a heavy shell.
Alexander stopped.
He turned to look at her.
Evelyn was walking with her head down.
She looked up and met his gaze.
She stood up straight.
She gave him a silly smile.
Her face was innocent.
“Very funny?” he asked.
Evelyn shook her head.
“If you want to laugh, laugh,” he said. “Being too tall has its problems. Just like you.”
“I’m not that tall,” Evelyn said, confused.
“I didn’t mean you’re tall. I meant you’re short. Being short is annoying, isn’t it?”
“...” Evelyn looked up at him.
She glared at his back.
Alexander walked ahead without a care.
Evelyn was left fuming.
Why was Alexander so different today?
Was this even the real Alexander?
Or was it someone who looked like him?
How could he be so mean again?
She was angry.
But she couldn’t do anything at the Sterling Mansion.
So she followed him into the main house.
“Mom,” Evelyn said politely.
Mrs. Sterling looked up.
She smiled when she saw them.
“You’re back. I thought you’d be later.”
“Evelyn just finished,” Alexander said, pulling her to sit beside him. “Your daughter-in-law is busier than your son.”
Evelyn blushed.
She wasn’t that busy.
She just had to try on her wedding dress.
“Isn’t it Sunday?” Mrs. Sterling asked. “Does Evelyn have class?”
“No class today,” Evelyn answered. “I went to try on the dress. It took until the afternoon.”
“Are you satisfied?” Mrs. Sterling asked.
“They’re all beautiful,” Evelyn nodded.
“Good,” Mrs. Sterling said. “Dinner isn’t ready yet. Alexander, why don’t you take Evelyn to rest? I’ll have Chloe call you when it’s time.”
“Do you want to rest?” Alexander asked Evelyn.
“No, I’m not tired,” Evelyn said quickly. “I’ll stay and talk with Mom.”
Her face turned red.
When Alexander spoke to her like that, strange images popped into her head.
“Mom, you’re more charming,” Alexander sighed. “My wife would rather talk to you than spend time with me.”
Evelyn was stunned.
She stared at him.
Her mouth formed an O.
But no sound came out.
“Don’t bully Evelyn,” Mrs. Sterling scolded her son.
She turned to Evelyn.
“Go rest, dear. You’ll feel better tonight.”
“Okay, thank you, Mom,” Evelyn said.
Her face was still red.
She followed Alexander out of the main house.
They walked toward Sterling Manor.
Now was the time to settle the score.
“Why did you say that to your mother?” Evelyn asked.
“My mother?” Alexander raised an eyebrow.
“I mean Mom,” Evelyn said, her face reddening.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Why did you say I’d rather talk to her than stay with you?”
“I misunderstood you,” Alexander said. “But you’d rather be with me, just to fool my mother?”
“Of course not,” Evelyn said, flustered.
“Then what did you mean?”
Evelyn took a deep breath.
She looked up at him.
“Can we just get along?” she asked sincerely. “Whatever you do in the future, I’ll cooperate. I’ll support you. Just don’t tease me or bully me, okay? If you really don’t like me, I’ll try to be invisible. I won’t bother you. You can pretend I don’t exist.”
Alexander looked down at her.
He smiled slightly.
“Show me how you become invisible,” he said.
Why was communication so hard?
It felt like they were in different dimensions.
“Let’s go, little fool,” Alexander said.
He pinched her cheek.
Her lips parted in surprise.
Then he took her hand and walked forward.
Evelyn felt embarrassed.
She made a face behind his back.
But the next second, Alexander turned around.
He was watching her with amusement.
Evelyn froze.
She quickly composed herself.
She turned her head away.
She pretended to admire the flowers.
Don’t disturb my expression, she thought.
Alexander smiled.
This girl was interesting.
Evelyn let him lead her.
She felt like a cow being led by a rope.
They entered Sterling Manor.
Evelyn wanted to tell him she didn’t need to rest.
She just wanted a book to read.
But Alexander spoke first.
“Keep yourself busy,” he said. “I need to make a call.”
“Okay, okay,” Evelyn nodded eagerly.
After Alexander left, she looked around.
She went upstairs.
His study was up there.
Chloe had told her no one could enter the study except for cleaning.
Evelyn stood at the door.
Should she go in?
Chloe later said she was an exception.
But Chloe didn’t know the truth about her marriage.
So technically, she was still an outsider.
Evelyn hesitated.
In the end, she didn’t go in.
Instead, she went to the window.
She loved the design.
The window and chair were one piece.
You could sit by the window and enjoy the view.
There was a tea table in front.
You could sip tea and watch the night.
It was a wonderful way to live.
The lotus pond looked a bit sad this season.
But she could still see carp swimming lazily.
If she looked up, she could see the cloister.
It connected the main house to the Rose Garden Villa.
Sterling Manor was built on the edge of the estate.
It was independent.
But it was still part of the whole.
That probably reflected Alexander’s personality.
A gust of wind blew.
It was chilly.
Evelyn shrank her neck.
But her mood wasn’t affected.