Chapter 6

Uh... what even is going on here...

Evelyn opened her mouth, trying to say something to comfort him.

"She hit her head in the accident. Just a little confused, that's all," a cool voice cut in out of nowhere.

Right then, Alexander strode in with a team behind him, steps firm like he was walking on wind. His eyes locked onto her, cold and sharp, almost like a silent warning.

That instant, it all came flooding back—the crazy agreement. So now she was... technically a married woman? And a mom, too?

"Mommy, is that true?" Ethan Hayes turned around, eyes full of hope.

How the heck was she supposed to respond to that...

Staring at his expectant little face, Evelyn thought about just saying yes, but part of her couldn't bring herself to lie.

"Of course it is," Alexander chimed in smoothly before she could answer.

While he spoke, he was already by her bedside. He leaned down close, way too close, so only she could hear him say, "Don't forget the agreement we signed last night. You'd better play along."

Evelyn looked up, but because they were so close, her lips brushed lightly against his cheek. Instant panic.

"Got it. Now please—back off!" Flustered, she ducked her head and pushed him away.

To Ethan, though, it looked like they were just being lovey-dovey.

"Mommy is blushing!" he squealed, clapping his hands like it was the best show ever.

Great. Now she felt like even her ears were on fire. This couldn't get more awkward...

"Sir, the discharge papers are ready," Ryan Brooks said respectfully as he walked in and addressed Alexander.

"Wait, discharge? Already?" Evelyn blinked, not expecting it so soon. Her injuries weren't exactly minor...

"It's like this—Master Ethan was really scared you'd vanish again, so he insisted you come home where he can see you all the time. As for your injuries, no need to worry. The sir already hired a full medical team for round-the-clock care at the estate," Ryan explained.

Was this little guy always this insecure? Did his birth mother really just up and leave him before?

Evelyn was lost in thought for a moment.

Still, this whole president-hiring-a-private-medical-team-for-her thing? Seriously intense. That must've cost a fortune...

"Ma'am, since your legs are still recovering, let me lift you into the wheelchair," Ryan offered, stepping forward to help.

"Don't touch Mommy!" Little Ethan threw himself in front of Ryan, blocking him with his tiny body before shooting a look at the man standing to the side. "Daddy, you carry her!"

Wait, was this kid seriously telling the President to carry someone? Evelyn blinked. This wasn't just any random guy—it was Alexander!

A chill ran down her spine. She was still reeling from how close they'd just been. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get a word out, Alexander frowned slightly, then leaned down and picked her up from the bed.

"You don't have to carry me, really, I can walk just fine," she mumbled, clearly uncomfortable in his arms. I mean, who would've thought she'd one day be carried by the actual President of Solandia?

"If you don't want my son to realize all of this is an act, then keep quiet." His voice was low, just enough for her to hear.

Evelyn turned her head in time to catch Ethan's puzzled gaze.

"Haha, it's just... I didn't want Daddy to get tired, that's all!" she said quickly, forcing a smile.

"Daddy's super strong! He can totally carry Mommy all the way to the car!" Ethan beamed, throwing out another line that made Evelyn want to vanish into thin air.

She thought Alexander would shut that down immediately. Instead, he just gave a barely-there nod and walked right out of the hospital room with her in his arms.

"You really didn't have to take it this far," she whispered, clearly not giving up. "If you told him you were tired, I'm sure he'd be fine with me in a wheelchair."

Alexander said nothing. Lips tightly pressed together, face turned to the side—completely ignoring Evelyn like she didn't just speak.

Yup, he was pissed. And it was probably her fault. If she hadn't tried to explain herself, Ethan wouldn't have pushed for this whole dramatic carry-me-down act.

She squirmed a little, feeling weird. Not just embarrassed—more like... pressured. With Alexander, even when he wasn't talking, that overbearing presence of his was just suffocating.

They finally reached the lobby.

Was this really it? Was she seriously going to be this man's "wife" and that kid's "Mommy" from now on?

Evelyn's thoughts were a mess, nerves all wound up tight. She couldn't tell if she was making a huge mistake or not.

"Baaaabe, I feel so awful right now," a sweet, whiny female voice called out nearby.

Evelyn stiffened instantly. That voice... why did it sound so familiar?

"Drink some more water then," a man replied, sounding oddly distracted.

That voice...

Her whole body went tense. Almost on instinct, she turned toward the direction of the voices—and then she saw him.