Evelyn had just started to speak.

A woman's voice suddenly interrupted from Alexander's side of the call.

"Mr. Blackwood, why are you hiding here? Let's have dinner together tonight."

There was a short silence.

The woman seemed to realize he was on the phone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you were busy."

"It's fine," Alexander replied, his tone casual.

He then raised a finger to his lips, signaling for the woman to be quiet.

Evelyn blinked slowly.

"Alexander," she asked softly, "are you busy right now?"

He didn't answer her question directly.

Instead, he turned the conversation back to her.

"What were you going to say a moment ago?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze slightly.

She hesitated.

She wanted to ask who that woman was.

But if Alexander had wanted to explain, he would have done so immediately.

He didn't.

A nagging feeling settled in her gut.

He was deliberately avoiding the subject.

"It was nothing important," she finally said. "I just wanted to remind you to look after yourself while you're away."

Alexander gave a light chuckle.

"Alright. You take care of yourself, too."

Evelyn wanted to say more.

But he spoke again before she could.

"Finish your meal. I have to go now."

Left with no other option, she replied in a quiet voice.

"Okay."

The call disconnected.

A heavy weight pressed down on Evelyn's heart.

Why wouldn't he just explain?

Across the table, Charlotte had been watching closely.

She saw the radiant smile fade from Evelyn's face, replaced by a troubled expression.

Charlotte frowned in confusion.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "Weren't you just about to tell Alexander about the pregnancy?"

Evelyn bit her lip.

Her brows drew together tightly.

"I heard a woman talking to him."

Charlotte looked puzzled.

"But you said he's on a business trip. It must be a colleague."

Evelyn shook her head slowly.

Her unease only deepened.

She met Charlotte's gaze directly.

Her words were deliberate.

"Charlotte, I'm not imagining things. Something feels wrong. I know Alexander is hiding something from me. And that woman... she isn't just a work acquaintance."

Charlotte was completely caught off guard.

"Evelyn, are you implying Alexander is being unfaithful?" Charlotte found the notion almost unbelievable.

She had witnessed their devotion firsthand. How could it be in doubt now?

Evelyn shook her head, her brow furrowed. "Not infidelity. But I feel he's concealing something significant from me."

Charlotte considered this, then took Evelyn's hand seriously. "Evelyn, if you have suspicions, you need concrete evidence. Tormenting yourself without proof is harmful, especially for you and the baby."

But Evelyn's anxiety remained palpable.

Sensing her friend's distress, Charlotte offered reassurance. "Try not to overanalyze. While I haven't known Alexander long, his love for you seems genuine. He wouldn't betray you."

After a brief pause, she added, "If something is amiss, you'll discover the truth when he returns. Confront him directly then."

Evelyn released a slow breath, some tension easing from her shoulders. "You're right... Perhaps I'm overreacting."

Maybe it was just her pregnancy hormones intensifying her emotions.

Charlotte gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "It's understandable. Don't be so hard on yourself."