Vivian Dempsey’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re pregnant?!”
“Just confirmed. Four weeks.”
“…”
Evelyn Carter rested a hand on her still-flat abdomen. “I wanted to surprise him on his birthday.”
Vivian bit her lip. “But Annabelle is also pregnant now. Surely Alexander wouldn’t—”
“What do you think he’ll choose?”
The examination room fell silent.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Evelyn’s pale face. Vivian’s eyes reddened as she noticed her best friend’s trembling fingers.
“Give him a chance. For the baby’s sake.”
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet at dawn.
Evelyn finished her rounds alone, scribbling notes in a chart. Olivia Lightfoot trailed behind with a clipboard, hesitating before speaking.
“Dr. Carter, Mr. Hamilton isn’t escorting you today?”
Her fountain pen paused mid-sentence.
“He’s busy at work.”
As she pushed open her office door, her phone screen lit up.
Alexander’s voice came through the receiver. “Evelyn, I—”
“I’m working.”
“I’ll pick you up at five.”
After hanging up, Evelyn stared blankly out the window. Her reflection showed fingers absently tracing her stomach.
Olivia suddenly appeared beside her, whispering conspiratorially. “Dr. Carter, there’s a surprise downstairs!”
Outside the hospital entrance, Alexander stood holding an enormous bouquet of red roses. Sunlight glinted off the sapphire cufflinks at his wrists. Behind gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze was tender.
“For the hardest-working Dr. Carter.”
The heavy roses nearly slipped from Evelyn’s grasp. Their heady fragrance made her eyes sting.
“Thank you.”
Alexander smiled as he took back the flowers and opened the car door. Evelyn’s eyes darted to the empty backseat.
“Looking for something?”
“Nothing.”
As they merged into traffic, Evelyn secretly photographed the roses in her lap. Her social media exploded with notifications—Vivian’s profile picture stood out among the likes.
“See? He chose you.”
Evelyn traced her phone screen without replying. In the rearview mirror, Alexander’s sharp profile reminded her of how his Adam’s apple had bobbed during last night’s phone call.
Had he really chosen?
At a red light, Alexander turned. “What would you like for dinner?”
Watching traffic blur past, Evelyn murmured, “Let’s eat at home.”
She missed how his fingers froze on the wheel. She didn’t notice the new notification flashing on his locked screen—where “Annabelle” burned like a brand.
