Chapter 137 12 Weeks

Chapter 137 12 Weeks
Evan fell silent for a moment. He knew Alice had a heart that was far too kind. “They got what they deserved, Alice. They betrayed the Smith family’s trust and tried to destroy you. The law must take its course.”

Alice nodded slowly. “I just hope that one day they realize their mistakes.”

“Let that be their concern. Your only job now is to stay happy and healthy until our baby is born,” Evan said, gently turning Alice to face him. “Understood?”

Alice smiled brightly and nodded. “Understood, Young Master.”

That afternoon, they spent time in the family room. Evan was focused on his laptop, while Alice sat beside him reading a book about newborn care. Lavina was busy knitting something on the sofa across from them—a small milk-white baby blanket slowly taking shape beneath her skilled fingers.

“Grandma, is that for my baby?” Alice asked curiously.

“Of course. I want the baby to wear something made by my own hands when he or she is born,” Lavina replied without looking up from her knitting.

Evan closed his laptop and looked at the two women. His life finally felt complete. The chaos caused by the Smith family and Viktor’s betrayal now seemed like distant shadows fading away.

He moved closer to Alice and gently stroked her soft hair. “Are you thirsty? I’ll get you some orange juice.”

“Yes, please. Thank you, Evan,” Alice replied.

As Evan stood and walked toward the kitchen, he stopped in the hallway when he saw Rico standing there with a hesitant expression. Evan gestured for him to follow to a more private corner near the kitchen.

“What is it, Rico? I said no work matters today,” Evan said, slightly annoyed.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. But this isn’t about Viktor or Edwin,” Rico said, handing over a small blue envelope. “A courier delivered this to the front gate. There’s no sender’s name, only the words ‘For Alice, From the Past.’”

Evan frowned. He took the envelope. The scent was distinct—an old-fashioned perfume once very familiar within the Smith family. He opened it and found a small silver key with a pendant shaped like the initial ‘S.’

A bad feeling crept up his spine. He recognized this key. It was the key to Alice’s mother’s secret safety deposit box, which was supposed to have been lost ten years ago in the accident.

“Who sent this?” Evan asked in a low voice.

“The courier said he was only following instructions from a law firm that has already shut down, Young Master. The message was scheduled to be delivered today—exactly ten years after Madam Alice’s parents passed away,” Rico explained.

Evan clenched the key tightly. He glanced toward the family room, where Alice was laughing with Lavina. He didn’t want to shatter that happiness, yet he knew this key could open a Pandora’s box far bigger than just Selena’s issue.

He returned to the family room, forcing his expression to remain neutral.

“Here’s your juice, sweetheart,” Evan said, handing Alice the glass.

Alice accepted it with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Evan. You look a little tense. Is something wrong?”

Evan sat beside her, slipping the key into his pocket. “Just a short message from the office about next week’s meeting schedule. Nothing major.”

Alice studied his eyes for a moment, as if sensing he was hiding something, but she chose not to press further. She rested her head on his shoulder again.

However, just as she was about to drink her juice, she felt something hard beneath the sofa cushion. She reached into the gap and pulled out a small greeting card, likely slipped there accidentally by Lily or another staff member while tidying up.

Alice read the message, and her face instantly turned pale. The glass in her hand trembled so violently that some of the juice spilled onto her dress.

“Evan… look at this,” Alice whispered, her voice filled with fear.

Evan took the card from her. It read: “Congratulations on your return, Alice. But don’t get too comfortable, because the key you’ve been searching for over the past ten years is now in your husband’s hands.”

Evan stared at the card. He quickly realized the tension resurfacing was merely leftover poison from the Smith family. After Rico conducted a quick check, the sender was indeed someone hired by Vinnie. From behind prison bars, the woman was still trying to sow seeds of doubt—but her attempt was futile.

“This is just from Vinnie, Alice,” Evan said, crushing the card and throwing it into the trash. “She’s only trying to disturb you from prison. Don’t let her win by ruining your peace.”

Alice took a deep breath and nodded. She glanced at the silver key in Evan’s hand and gave a faint smile. “Maybe she wants me to look at the old things Mother left in that deposit box. But I don’t need that right now. My future is here—with you.”

Evan pulled Alice into his arms. “That’s right. And I won’t let any past touch us again.”

Time flowed like a calm river. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The tension that once blanketed the Nathaniel residence completely vanished, replaced by a peaceful routine filled with anticipation.



Four months later.

Morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the master bedroom. Alice stood before the full-length mirror, wearing a loose cream silk nightgown. She turned slightly, studying her reflection with a smile that never faded.

Her once-flat stomach now showed a gentle, unmistakable curve.

“He’s growing so fast,” Alice murmured, softly caressing her four-month belly.

Evan, who had just stepped out of the dressing room while adjusting his watch, walked over. He stood behind Alice, wrapped his arms around her waist, and placed his palm over her stomach.

“Good morning, champ,” Evan whispered. His deep voice always softened whenever he spoke to Alice’s belly.

“Evan, you always call the baby champ. What if it’s a girl?” Alice chuckled, resting her head against his shoulder.

“If it’s a girl, she’ll be the most beautiful and most protected princess in the world,” Evan replied without hesitation. He kissed Alice’s neck, inhaling the calming scent of her soap. “Are you feeling nauseous again this morning?”

Alice shook her head. “No. I think the nausea phase has passed. Now I just feel… hungry all the time.”

Evan laughed softly. “That’s good. Grandma has prepared a whole table of food downstairs. She said you’re eating for two.”

They walked downstairs at an easy pace. In the dining room, Lavina was busy instructing Lily to arrange plates of nutritious dishes. Zavian sat in his usual chair, no longer holding a news tablet but flipping through a luxury baby gear magazine instead.

“Look at this, Zavian. I think this stroller model is much safer for a baby’s spine,” Lavina said, pointing at a picture.

“I’ve already ordered a better one from Germany, Lavina. You don’t need to worry about facilities,” Zavian replied calmly, though pride was evident in his tone.

Alice and Evan entered the dining room, greeted by Lavina’s bright smile.

“Alice! Come here, dear. Grandma made pure avocado juice for you. It’s good for your baby’s brain development,” Lavina called out.

“Thank you, Grandma,” Alice said carefully as she took her seat. “You two seem very busy this morning.”

“Of course! Next month we’ll hold the four-month blessing ceremony,” Lavina said enthusiastically. “I’ve already listed the important guests, but it will only be close family and relatives. No drama—just prayers together.”