A rush of blood shot straight to Alexander Blackwood’s head.
His expression cracked instantly.
He turned his face away from Evelyn Vale, refusing to meet her eyes.
“No.”
His voice came out stiff.
“You can go back now.”
Evelyn secretly found his reaction amusing.
He’s still being stubborn.
She smiled.
“I’ll get you a urinal.”
She walked toward the corner of the room and picked up the portable basin.
Alexander was tall—nearly six feet two—and there was no way Evelyn could possibly carry him.
If he needed to relieve himself, sitting down was the only practical option.
“No need, Evelyn.”
Alexander’s voice rose.
“Get out.”
His lower abdomen was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, the pressure building by the second.
He hated his current helplessness.
But allowing Evelyn to help him with something so personal?
He would rather die on a battlefield.
Evelyn looked at him helplessly.
“Why are you so shy?”
She shrugged.
“I’m not even shy.”
Then she smiled mischievously.
“Fine, fine.
I promise I won’t peek.”
She carried the basin over.
After carefully positioning it between his legs, she immediately turned her head away.
Her face was burning.
Don’t let her confident words fool anyone.
Her heart was pounding wildly.
In her previous life, she had been married to Damien for five years.
But Damien had either been away on missions or stationed with the military.
The number of times he actually came home in an entire year could be counted on one hand.
And whenever he did return, he stayed for only two or three days.
Strangely, those visits always seemed to coincide with her monthly cycle.
So despite being married for five years…
She had remained inexperienced.
Her first kiss had never happened.
She had never even seen a man’s private body.
Yet she was the one pretending not to be embarrassed.
So why is Alexander acting like this?
He’s the one being ridiculous!
Evelyn waited.
And waited.
Still, she heard nothing.
She didn’t dare turn around.
Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.
“Alexander, are you planning to wet yourself?”
“If you keep holding it, you’re going to make yourself sick!”
Still nothing.
Evelyn frowned.
“If you don’t do it now, I’ll take care of it myself and pull your pants down.”
Alexander’s face darkened.
“Evelyn…”
He gritted his teeth.
“Are you even a proper lady?”
Evelyn immediately fired back.
“Can’t you tell that I’m a lady?”
She tilted her head proudly, even though he couldn’t see her expression.
“Which man could possibly be as pretty as me?”
She paused.
“Alexander, hurry up.
My arm is getting tired.”
She adjusted her grip on the basin.
“I’m counting to three.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“If you still don’t do it, I’ll really pull your pants down.”
“One…”
Alexander’s face turned darker.
“Two…”
He was so angry that his teeth practically itched.
But the pressure in his bladder was becoming unbearable.
He was genuinely uncomfortable.
If he kept holding it, he could end up wetting himself.
Or worse, develop a urinary infection.
And there was another problem.
He knew Evelyn well enough by now to realize that she might actually follow through on her threat.
That dead girl…
Helpless, Alexander finally gave in.
He reached down and unfastened his zipper.
A moment later, the quiet sound of trickling water filled the room.
Evelyn’s face burned even hotter.
She kept her head turned away.
“Aim carefully,” she muttered.
“Don’t splash it onto my hands.”
Alexander felt his chest tighten.
For a moment, he was so irritated that he almost stopped.
But then his gaze fell on the delicate hands holding the basin.
They were fair and pretty.
Those hands were doing something most people would never willingly do for another person.
Something humiliating.
Something deeply personal.
Yet Evelyn hadn’t hesitated.
Regardless of what her motives were…
The fact that she was willing to take care of him like this was already incredibly rare.
Alexander’s expression softened.
But the thought that followed made his heart sink.
He couldn’t drag Evelyn’s life down with him.
She deserved someone better.
Someone who could walk beside her.
Someone who wouldn’t become a burden she had to carry.
She shouldn’t waste the best years of her life taking care of a man who couldn’t even stand.
The sound eventually stopped.
“Done.”
Alexander’s voice was muffled.
Evelyn’s arm was aching badly.
She quickly switched hands and prepared to carry the basin into the bathroom.
When she turned around, Alexander caught sight of her face.
Her cheeks were flushed bright red.
She looked beautiful.
So beautiful that his heart suddenly seemed to stumble.
Something inside him shifted.
He had thought Evelyn was fearless.
But now he realized…
This girl talked boldly, teased him without mercy, and threatened to pull down his pants without blinking.
Yet in reality, she was just as shy as anyone else.
Alexander’s gaze softened.
“Thank you.”
His deep voice was quiet.
Evelyn immediately lowered her head.
She didn’t dare look at him.
Her face must have been incredibly red.
She absolutely couldn’t let Alexander realize how embarrassed she was.
Otherwise, she’d lose all her dignity after acting so shamelessly confident.
“I said I’d take care of you, didn’t I?”
Her voice was quieter now.
Before Alexander could respond, Evelyn hurried into the bathroom.
Fortunately, there was a private bathroom attached to his room.
She didn’t have to carry the basin through the house.
After cleaning it thoroughly, Evelyn splashed cold water onto her face.
Once.
Twice.
She stared at herself in the mirror.
Her cheeks were finally cooling down.
Much better.
She took a deep breath and walked back out.
At that moment, Aunt Eleanor entered the room carrying a cup of Neapolitan ice cream.
Her face immediately brightened when she saw Evelyn.
“Evelyn, eat this while it’s still cold.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Thank you, Aunt Eleanor.”
She took the ice cream.
“I’m going home now.
I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Even now, she still felt a little embarrassed.
She didn’t dare look directly at Alexander.
So she hurried toward the door with the ice cream in her hands.
Behind her, Alexander silently watched her leave.
For the first time in a long while, the cold room didn’t feel quite so cold.