Chapter 385

It was Evelyn's first time making Alexander truly furious. He simmered in silence all night, refusing to speak a single word to her.

Though he didn’t raise his voice or lash out, the tension in the air was palpable. His displeasure radiated off him like heat from a furnace.

Is he upset because he thinks I’m jealous… or because I’m not?

Evelyn had little experience navigating romantic entanglements.

When she was with Dominic, jealousy had never crossed her mind.

Back then, she had been too focused on building their future together, naively believing Vanessa was just a mutual friend. The thought of Dominic betraying her with Vanessa had never even occurred to her.

When the truth came out, she had felt nothing but rage—betrayed, used, deceived.

Looking back, anger had overshadowed any heartbreak.

Jealousy? None.

Now, she wondered—did Alexander want her to be jealous?

But he had insisted nothing was going on between him and Cassandra. So why should she feel anything at all?

Before she could untangle her thoughts, her phone buzzed.

Serena.

"Evelyn, you haven’t left yet, have you?"

"Not yet. My flight’s tomorrow."

Evelyn had just finished showering.

She stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair, and found Alexander already asleep in bed.

Quietly, she dressed and slipped into the living room to take the call.

"Perfect! You have to meet me for dinner tonight!"

Serena’s voice turned remorseful. "You got kidnapped because of me. I’ve been drowning in guilt. Let me make it up to you—please."

Evelyn softened. "It wasn’t your fault. Those men impersonated your staff. You had no idea. Don’t blame yourself."

She hesitated, glancing toward the bedroom.

"If lunch doesn’t work, dinner then! I won’t take no for an answer!"

Serena barreled on before Evelyn could protest. "Oh! And Donovan Blackwood is coming too!"

"Donovan Blackwood?"

Evelyn’s mind flashed to the Marseille soap merchant. "You know him?"

Serena laughed. "Of course I do! We met him together at the hospital, remember? You saved his son. He’s been dying to thank you properly."

Realization struck.

The hospital. The little boy.

She had completely forgotten the man’s name.

"Serena, you really don’t—"

The line went dead before she could finish.

"Plans?"

A deep voice startled her.

She whirled around.

Alexander stood in the doorway, shirtless, his sculpted frame outlined by the dim light.

Even in the shadows, he was breathtaking.

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

She had seen him like this countless times, yet the sight still sent her pulse racing.

"When is it?" He pushed off the doorframe and strode toward her.

Evelyn blinked, snapping out of her daze. "I thought you weren’t speaking to me."

Alexander pulled her into his arms. "Why wouldn’t I?"

She scoffed. "Yeah. Why wouldn’t you?"