38 Undress You

Jewell quietly raised the soundproof partition.

Evelyn glanced at Alexander, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Did something happen last night?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

She bit her lower lip, her tone growing more hesitant. "You've been... distant all morning. Did I do something to upset you? I swear, I don't remember anything."

Alexander's jaw tightened, his expression turning sharp and unreadable. "You don't recall trying to undress me?" His voice was low, laced with mockery.

The sarcasm cut deep. Evelyn stared, stunned. She pointed a finger at her own chest in disbelief.

"Me?" Her voice cracked. "Undress you?" She shook her head violently, as if trying to shake the accusation away. "No. That's impossible. I would never do that."

As the denial left her lips, she saw Alexander's expression darken further, shadows gathering in his eyes.

She hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her sleeve. "I mean it. I have no memory of it," she murmured, doubt seeping into her voice. "Someone once told me I can't handle alcohol well. Maybe... maybe I lost control last night."

Alexander turned his head sharply toward her, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. "Is that so? So this is a recurring pattern for you? Getting drunk and causing scenes?"

Evelyn faltered, realizing her mistake. Her voice softened, apologetic. "I used to drink occasionally with my roommates. But after one particular incident, they never let me touch alcohol again."

She attempted a weak laugh, but it did nothing to ease the tension. "But I'm certain I never tried to undress any of them."

Alexander's gaze remained fixed on her, his silence becoming a heavy weight in the car.

She didn't mention her ex-boyfriend, though their relationship had spanned years. They had likely shared more than just drinks during those reckless times—moments far more intimate.

Alexander knew such thoughts were logical, perhaps inevitable. But the mental image of Evelyn with someone else sent a sharp pang of jealousy twisting in his chest.

Beside him, Evelyn felt the temperature drop. Tension radiated from him in waves.

She didn't understand why her explanation had made things worse. Tentatively, she reached out. "Alexander... what's wrong? Please, tell me. Did I do something else?"

A dreadful thought formed in her mind. Had she done something even worse last night?

Alexander took a slow, deliberate breath. His voice, when it came, was cold and sharp. "From now on, you will not drink with anyone else."

The command felt absolute, suffocating. She nodded instinctively. "Okay. I understand."

But the question haunted her. Why couldn't she remember?

The possibility that she had violated his boundaries, even unintentionally, left her feeling hollow and sick.

The remainder of the car ride passed in a thick, uncomfortable silence.

Soon, they arrived at Serenity Oaks. Evelyn hesitated by the car door, unsure if she should help. Before she could move, Jewell was already there, efficiently unfolding the wheelchair and assisting Alexander into it.

Evelyn hurried to follow. "Let me push you inside," she offered.

"That won't be necessary." Alexander's tone was final. His eyes shifted to Jewell, who immediately stepped forward and took control of the wheelchair handles.

Alexander cast a detached glance toward Evelyn. "Go inside. You should eat. I have important matters to attend to in the study."

He was retreating to the study again.

She watched him go, the distance between them feeling like an insurmountable wall.

She stood frozen, lost in uncertainty, until the butler approached. "Mrs. Blackwood, are you quite alright? It's chilly out here. Please, come inside."

His voice pulled her from her thoughts. She blinked, as if waking, then gave a small nod and followed him inside.

As they walked, she gathered her courage. Her voice was barely audible. "Do you know what happened last night? I... I think I did something terrible while I was drunk. That's why Alexander is angry, isn't it?"

Guilt colored her words. "He won't tell me what I did. I don't even know how to begin to apologize."