As he walked down the corridor, Elena approached him. "Did you find Leo?"
"He is fine. He is playing with Grandpa."
Elena smiled in relief. "Evelyn was really worried."
"Everything is fine, my love." Elias closed the distance between them and took both her hands in his. "I’ve prepared something for you. Come with me."
He gently pulled her away.
Elena couldn’t help but laugh. "Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere no one can disturb us."
He led her into the elevator. When the doors opened again, he took her to the hotel terrace.
Elena stepped out and stopped.
The terrace had been transformed into a private paradise.
Warm fairy lights hung overhead like tiny stars, casting a soft golden glow across the rooftop. Glass lanterns lined the parapet walls, while white roses and gardenias decorated every corner, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.
Beyond the terrace, the city skyline glittered beneath the night sky.
There was no one else around. Only the quiet night, the gentle breeze, and the private space Elias had reserved exclusively for the two of them.
Elena stared around in stunned silence. "Elias..." Her eyes widened. "You did all this?"
A smile tugged at his lips. "I wanted tonight to be special."
He led her toward a small table near the edge of the terrace.
A beautifully wrapped gift box rested at its center.
Elena looked at it curiously. "What is this?"
"Open it."
She untied the ribbon and slowly lifted the lid. Then she froze.
Inside lay a tiny knitted baby sweater, a pair of impossibly small baby socks, and a delicate silver baby rattle.
Her breath caught. For several seconds, she simply stared at them.
Her fingers trembled as she picked up the tiny sweater. It was so small that it could fit in the palm of her hand. Slowly, she raised her eyes to Elias.
He moved closer and crouched beside her chair.
"I’ve been wanting to talk to you about this for a long time," he said quietly.
His gaze dropped to the tiny clothes before returning to her face. "I know some wounds never completely heal."
Elena’s chest tightened. The pain of losing her baby had never truly disappeared.
Elias gently took her hand. "I would never ask you to forget," he said softly. "And I would never try to replace that child."
His thumb brushed slowly across her knuckles.
"But when you are ready..." His voice grew even gentler. "I want us to have a child together."
His eyes held nothing but love. "I want a little one who looks like you, laughs like you, and fills our home with happiness."
Tears instantly gathered in Elena’s eyes. Only that morning, she had thrown away the contraceptive pills.
She had already made her decision. She wanted a baby—their baby. Yet hearing Elias say those words so sincerely still overwhelmed her.
"Elias..." Her voice nearly broke. "I want a baby. I’m ready."
A smile spread across Elias’s face.
He had already seen the contraceptive pills in the trash. He knew she was willing to have a child. But hearing her say it aloud was something else entirely.
Relief and happiness surged through him, making his heart race.
"Really?" He cupped her face gently. "Say it again."
Elena nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I want to have a baby with you."
The moment she finished speaking, Elias leaned forward and kissed her.
Elena slipped her fingers into his hair and returned the kiss, her heart overflowing with emotion. She could imagine a new little life growing from their love.
Meanwhile, back in the banquet hall, Evelyn shifted uncomfortably. Something felt wrong.
An unusual heat had begun spreading through her body.
She rubbed her throat and frowned. "What is happening to me?"
She wiped the sweat gathering along her neck. "Why am I feeling so hot?"
Her discomfort only grew.
Thinking she might simply be dehydrated, she picked up another glass of champagne from a passing waitress and drank it. But instead of easing the heat, it seemed to intensify.
Her vision suddenly swam.
Evelyn blinked rapidly. Something was definitely wrong.
She touched her forehead.
"No..." Her breathing became uneven. "I-I need to get out of here."
She hurried toward the exit, but her steps were becoming increasingly unsteady. The heat spread through every inch of her body, leaving her disoriented and unable to think clearly.
Her vision blurred again. She gripped the wall for support as she made her way down the corridor.
"What is happening to me?" Her knees suddenly buckled.
Before she could fall, two strong arms caught her.
Evelyn gasped. She instinctively grabbed the person’s arms and looked up.
The face above her seemed strangely familiar through the haze clouding her vision.
"Ian?"
Ian’s expression changed instantly. "Eve... Are you okay?"
He studied her flushed face. "Why is your face so red? Are you running a fever?"
He placed his palm against her forehead. The moment he touched her, Evelyn shuddered.
"Help me..." Her voice came out as a weak rasp. "It’s so hot. I can’t take it anymore."
She leaned against him, desperately seeking relief from the unbearable sensation.
Ian’s entire body stiffened. Something was wrong.
This wasn’t normal.
His instincts immediately kicked in. He studied her unfocused eyes and flushed face.
She was drugged.
A dangerous coldness flashed across his eyes.
’Who dared to drug her at the Rowan family’s party?’
The question burned through his mind. Whoever had done this had chosen the wrong person to hurt. But right now, Evelyn needed help.
"Eve, you’ve been drugged. Let me take you to the hospital."
"No..." Evelyn shook her head desperately. "I can’t wait that long."
She clung to him, her judgment clouded by the drug. "Please... help me."
Ian swallowed hard. He wanted her. He had spent years burying feelings he had never allowed himself to acknowledge. But he would not take advantage of her while she was not in her right mind.
"You don’t know what you are saying." He gently grasped her shoulders and eased her back. "You are not in the right state of mind."
He knew she might regret whatever happened tonight once the effects wore off. And he would never want her to wake up hating herself or him.
"Bear it for a little while," he said, trying to remain calm. "You’ll be fine once we get you to the hospital. Trust me."
He tried to guide her away.
But Evelyn pushed him back. "Why?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Do you... do you find me disgusting?"
Ian shook his head immediately. "No."
"I’m like this, and you still won’t help me." Her voice cracked. "Am I not worthy of you?"
She grabbed the lapel of his suit jacket.
"That’s not what I mean," Ian said urgently. "I don’t want to hurt you."
But she couldn’t hear him. "I understand now."
She stepped back, tears spilling freely.
"You don’t love me. You are disgusted by me. Why would you help me?"
Her lips trembled. "Fine... I don’t need your help."
She turned away. She took one unsteady step, then another.
Her knees suddenly gave way.
Ian caught her arm before she could hit the floor. "Where are you going?"
"None of your business." She tried to push him away.
Ian tightened his hold. "Don’t leave. It’s not safe."
Evelyn turned to him, her tear-filled eyes searching his face. "Then why won’t you help me?"
Ian felt utterly helpless. "Evelyn..." He gently held her shoulders. "Look at me."
She slowly raised her eyes. "Do you really want this?"
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Evelyn was barely holding on to her senses. The drug had stripped away her usual restraint, leaving only the longing she had buried for years.
She wanted him more than anything.
"Yes," she whispered.
Ian’s gaze darkened. His long-hidden desire burst forth. Now, with her looking at him like this, his resistance crumbled. He closed his eyes briefly, struggling to regain control.
Then he opened them and looked at her with a mixture of desire, concern, and restraint.
"If you truly want me, don’t blame me tomorrow."
Evelyn said nothing. She simply reached for him.
Ian gathered her into his arms and carried her away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting the room in a soft golden glow.
Evelyn slowly opened her eyes. For a few seconds, she lay still, confused by the unfamiliar silence.
Then the memories returned. She remembered how desperately she had clung to Ian and begged him to help her.
Her eyes widened, her face burning with embarrassment.
’Oh, my God! What did I do? I actually begged him to take me!’
Her gaze found him standing by the window.
Ian had already dressed. His hands were tucked into his trouser pockets as he stared silently at the city outside.
The sight of him made her heart race all over again. Her whole body felt hot. She instinctively pulled the blanket higher and turned her face away. Her fingers curled tightly around the blanket.
For seven years, she had been the one chasing Ian. She had told him she loved him. She had hugged him, followed him, and begged him to spend time with her.
And last night, she had once again been the one reaching for him.
Mortified, she squeezed her eyes.
’We are already divorced. And I shamelessly offered myself to him.’
The humiliation burned through her.
Ian heard the movement.
He turned around. "You are awake."
Evelyn stilled. Her eyes met his. At that moment, her heart skipped two beats.