Alexander’s fingers were tentative at first.

Worried he might hurt Evelyn, his movements were light as he began to massage her shoulders.

"Am I pressing too hard?" he asked.

Evelyn shook her head, her cheeks flushing. "I can barely feel it."

He slowly applied more pressure, and she felt the tight knots in her neck and shoulders start to loosen.

His hands were strong yet careful, each motion intentional and exact. The heat from his palms seeped into her skin.

Soon, a deep relaxation spread through her limbs.

"Is this more comfortable?" His eyes scanned her face for any sign of discomfort.

A soft smile touched Evelyn’s lips. "It's perfect. I feel so much better," she said, her voice warm with thanks.

Encouraged, he continued for another ten minutes. "Anywhere else that's sore?" he finally asked.

"My lower back is a bit tight, too..." she mused.

His hands shifted downward immediately.

A sudden, sharp tickle shot through her. She jerked away instinctively.

"That tickles!" she cried out, squirming. "Stop!"

She pitched forward, almost tumbling off the edge of the mattress.

Alexander moved swiftly, catching her and pulling her back securely against his chest.

She went still, her heart hammering against her ribs as she felt the solid wall of his body.

"Easy there," he murmured, his arms holding her tight.

He laughed softly at her flustered state. "Why are you so ticklish? I hardly did anything. If you're this responsive... what will we do later?"

Their eyes locked, and the implication of his words sank in. A deep blush spread across her face. "You're impossible!" she muttered.

She quickly wriggled out of his hold and scooted to the other side of the bed, yanking the duvet up to her chin.

"Alright, that's enough," she declared, her voice slightly muffled by the blanket, carrying a note of finality. "I'm tired and I'm going to sleep. Don't you dare disturb me."

Alexander arched a brow, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Don't come crawling back to me in the middle of the night," he taunted.

Evelyn's mind flashed back to the awkward morning encounter, leaving her momentarily speechless. She squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep, and pointedly ignored him.

Watching her turn her back to him defiantly, a faint smile touched his lips. He found her utterly charming.

He thought of her earlier conversation with Benjamin about their future. A lifetime with Evelyn like this, Alexander reflected, might not be such a bad fate after all.

Evelyn woke the next morning with a groggy head, only to find the space beside her empty. The cold sheets confirmed Alexander had been gone for some time.

A pang of disappointment struck her, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why.

Their time together had been short, their bond still new. Yet, she was startled to realize how empty the prospect of life without him now seemed.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp ring of her phone.

Shaking off her reverie, she reached for it, assuming it was a work call.

A glance at the screen sent a jolt of surprise through her.

It was Patricia Blackwood, Julian's mother.

In the five years she had been with Julian, Patricia had always maintained a polite but distinct chill, never contacting her directly.

Evelyn, an orphan with no family connections, did not fit Patricia's ideal for a daughter-in-law. In Patricia's eyes, Isabella had always been the more suitable match for Julian.

This unexpected call could mean only one thing. It was about Julian.