Chapter 146 The Final Harbor

Chapter 146 The Final Harbor
Evan froze for a moment when he heard Alice’s question. He looked at his wife’s serious expression, then slowly reached into the pocket of the suit jacket draped over the chair beside the bed. He pulled out a small metal object that glinted under the dim bedside lamp.

“You mean this?” Evan asked, holding it up.

Alice narrowed her eyes, studying its flat, silver surface. “Yes. Isn’t that the deposit box key Uncle Edwin owned, the one you took from his cell back then?”

Evan let out a soft chuckle. He took Alice’s hand and placed the object in her palm. “Look closer, Alice. This isn’t a deposit box key.”

Alice lifted it toward the light. Her eyes widened when she saw the delicate engraving on its surface. It was not a complicated number code, but the image of a small oak tree, intertwined with the initials of both their names.

“This is… a house key?” Alice asked, confused.

“It’s the key to our new seaside house,” Evan replied gently. “I prepared it as a surprise. It’s the house you mentioned when we had just gotten married, the one with big windows facing the sunset. I’ve bought it and renovated it in your name.”

Alice let out a long breath, the tension in her shoulders instantly melting away. “Oh my God, Evan. I thought it was something Edwin left behind, something you were still keeping.”

“Everything about Edwin is truly gone, Alice. Not a single fragment of him remains in this house, let alone in my pocket,” Evan said firmly. He took the key back and placed it on the bedside table. “I just want us to start something completely new.”

The days that followed passed with a calm that felt almost unreal to Alice. There were no more guards standing stiffly outside the bedroom door. No more inspections of suspicious letters or packages. The Nathaniel residence finally felt like a home, not a fortress.

That morning, Alice sat in the side garden on a wooden chair, watching several workers relocate newly planted rose bushes. Lavina stood beside her, holding an umbrella to shield her from the harsh sunlight.

“Grandma made sure all the plants here are pest-free, Alice. You can sit here every morning and enjoy the fresh air,” Lavina said.

“Thank you, Grandma. It feels wonderful seeing the garden full of color again,” Alice replied. She rubbed her belly, which felt heavier now. Her pregnancy had entered its sixth month.

“Have you chosen a nickname for the baby yet?” Lavina asked with a smile, her gaze resting on Alice’s stomach.

“Evan wants to call him Leo if it’s a boy, but I’m still not sure,” Alice laughed softly. “He says it sounds strong.”

“Very Evan,” Lavina murmured.

At the Nathaniel headquarters, things were just as stable. Evan sat in his executive chair, but his desk was now filled with property investment files and plans for building a maternal and children’s hospital, rather than intelligence reports about his enemies.

Rico entered the office with a tablet in hand.

“Young Master, all Elino business units that had issues are operating normally again. The shareholders are very satisfied with the leadership transition to Mrs. Alice,” Rico reported.

“Good. Make sure the audit team remains fully independent. I want Alice to receive only profit reports without having to worry about operational details,” Evan replied, never taking his eyes off the monitor.

“One more thing, Young Master. We’ve received the final report from the correctional facility. The administrative process for Edwin Smith’s death is completely finished. There are no claims from any parties. The case is officially closed permanently.”

Evan leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. “Finally. Make sure those documents are stored in the confidential archive. Alice must never see them again.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

That afternoon, Evan came home early. He brought a large box placed in the back seat of his car. As soon as he arrived, he went straight to the nursery, which was nearly finished.

Alice was there, arranging baby clothes inside a white wooden wardrobe.

“You’re home already?” Alice turned with a bright smile.

“Look what I brought,” Evan said, setting the box on the floor. “It’s a custom wooden hanging toy from Sweden. They say the sound helps babies sleep better.”

He opened the box and took out a mobile made of smooth wooden stars and moons. He began installing it above the crib in the center of the room.

“It’s beautiful, Evan,” Alice said as she stepped closer and touched one of the wooden stars. “You’re really excited about becoming a father.”

“I just want to do everything right this time,” Evan replied. He stood up and wrapped his arms around Alice from behind. “No distractions, no threats. Just us.”

“Sometimes it still feels strange, Evan. Everything is so peaceful. No one trying to kidnap me, no one trying to poison me,” Alice whispered.

“That’s because they’ve all lost, Alice. We’ve already won that war.”

That night, Zavian invited them to dinner at the new glass pavilion built on a small hill behind the main residence. Warm chandelier light illuminated a table filled with exquisite dishes.

“I want to make an announcement,” Zavian said in the middle of dinner.

Evan and Alice exchanged curious looks.

“I’ve decided to fully retire from the Nathaniel Group board of directors next month,” Zavian continued casually. “I want to spend my time at the vineyard in France, or maybe help my mother take care of my grandchild here.”

Evan was stunned. “Dad? Are you serious? You always said business was your life.”

“Business was my life, but seeing you manage everything so calmly now, I think my job is done,” Zavian said, looking at Alice. “Especially since Alice is here to keep you grounded. I have nothing to worry about anymore.”

“We’ll miss you at the office, Dad,” Alice said warmly.

“Don’t talk like I’m disappearing. I’ll just be wearing polo shirts and fishing hats more often than expensive suits,” Zavian joked, drawing laughter from everyone at the table.

After dinner, Evan took Alice for a walk along the garden path lit by soft lights. The night air was cool, and the sound of crickets created a soothing backdrop.

“That seaside house… when can we go there?” Alice asked.

“Anytime you want. But the doctor said you shouldn’t travel far until after delivery, so maybe after Leo is born,” Evan replied.

“You’re really sure about the name Leo?” Alice teased.

“I have a strong feeling he’s a little lion,” Evan said, rubbing her belly.

Suddenly, Evan’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He frowned briefly. “One moment, Alice. It’s from the central hospital.”

He answered the call while Alice waited, her curiosity rising again. For a moment, Evan looked tense, then he let out a long breath and smiled.

“Yes, thank you. We’ll come in tomorrow morning for registration,” Evan said before hanging up.

“What is it? Nothing bad, right?” Alice asked anxiously.

“No. That was Doctor Sarah. She said your latest blood test shows the baby is growing larger than average. We’re asked to come tomorrow to choose an exclusive delivery package,” Evan replied. “She said you’re very healthy.”

Alice laughed in relief. “You scared me.”

“I won’t let any bad news enter this house again, Alice.”

They reached the door of the master bedroom. Evan opened it for Alice and guided her inside. The room was filled with the calming scent of citrus aromatherapy. Evan helped Alice change into her sleepwear, a routine he now performed with tender care.

When Alice was settled in bed, Evan sat beside her and held her hand, gazing deeply into her eyes.

“Thank you for surviving all that madness with me, Alice,” Evan whispered.

“I didn’t really have a choice, did I? I’ve been tied to you since the day you pulled me out of the Smith house,” Alice replied with a sweet smile.

“And you’ll be tied to me forever.”

Evan turned off the main light, leaving only moonlight filtering through the window. The room was utterly quiet. Alice closed her eyes, feeling safe in Evan’s embrace. Everything was truly over now. No more hidden secrets, no more lingering grudges.

But in the middle of that perfect silence, the sharp ringing of the landline phone downstairs echoed through the house.

Evan frowned. The clock showed eleven p.m. No one ever used the house phone unless it was something extremely urgent from outside their circle.

“Who would call at this hour?” Alice murmured, waking again.

“Stay here. I’ll check,” Evan said.

He went downstairs quickly and picked up the receiver in the living room.

“Hello?” Evan’s voice was cold and alert.

There was a brief silence on the other end, filled only with steady breathing, before a woman’s voice spoke. It was calm, composed, and authoritative.

“Good evening, Evan Nathaniel. I am the personal attorney of your late mother, Grizelle. There is a will that may only be opened when your wife is carrying a male child, and tonight is the right time for us to meet.”