I've Grown Accustomed To Sleepless Nights

Evelyn froze for a second.

Her fingers instinctively went to her bare neck, her eyes widening in surprise.

It was unsettling how Alexander had noticed such a small detail.

"This necklace is so valuable. I felt nervous wearing it out, so I took it off as soon as I got home," she explained, her voice a soft, uneasy murmur.

It wasn't just the fear of losing it.

The central gem was a masterpiece, its brilliance impossible to fully conceal even beneath layers of fabric.

To avoid drawing unwanted attention, she decided it was safer to keep it hidden.

Alexander's gaze held for a moment longer before he looked away, a subtle wave of relief passing over him.

He had been worried she disliked his gift.

Knowing that wasn't the case allowed him to relax.

"It's just an accessory, and it suits you. There's no need for such caution," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Evelyn's heart gave a little jump.

His casual tone confirmed her suspicion that the necklace couldn't possibly be the billion-dollar piece from the auction.

How could someone buried under a hundred million in debt speak so lightly of such an immense value?

Yet, its obvious worth made her want to protect it all the more.

"It's alright. I'll save it for special occasions. Something this luxurious doesn't really fit my everyday work life," she remarked thoughtfully.

Seeing her determination, Alexander didn't press further and simply nodded in acceptance.

A moment later, he sensed Evelyn still hovering in his periphery.

He paused, his curiosity piqued, and glanced up with a slightly raised brow. "Was there something else?"

He shuffled the documents on his desk, pretending to be absorbed, while keeping a subtle watch on her movements.

Evelyn noticed the towel he'd used for his hair was tossed aside, his dark locks still damp and unruly.

A line of concern appeared on her forehead. "You should dry your hair properly. You could catch a cold, or wake up with a terrible headache."

Alexander shrugged, the picture of indifference. "Too much effort," he muttered. "I'll be fine..."

But his words trailed off as he looked up and met her gaze, seeing the gentle admonishment there.

A flicker of recollection crossed his face—he had promised her he would take better care of himself.

With a soft, resigned sigh, Alexander set the documents aside.

He reached for the towel again, a begrudging motion.

"Let me do it," Evelyn offered, her voice suddenly firm.

Empowered by a surge of boldness, she stepped forward, took the towel from his hands, and moved behind him.

Her fingers, gentle yet sure, began to pat his damp hair dry.

Alexander tensed for a brief instant, then gradually relaxed under the soothing rhythm of her hands.

A quiet comfort settled in the space between them as she worked with quiet care.

A subtle, unexplainable warmth bloomed in his chest.

"Thank you," he whispered, the words barely audible.

Evelyn felt a momentary flutter of discomfort but quickly steadied herself.

She dabbed carefully at his short cropped hair, her touches deliberate and soft.

In the quiet room, they both instinctively held their breaths.

The only sounds were the soft whisper of the towel against his hair and the occasional rustle of pages as Alexander continued his work.

His hair was much simpler to dry than her own, and the task was soon nearly complete.

"Do you have a hairdryer? The warm air would be faster and more thorough," she suggested.

"In the bathroom," he replied, not looking up from the document he was reading.

Evelyn retrieved the hairdryer and finished the job efficiently.

Only when his hair was completely dry did she put the appliance away.

Her eyes lingered on his focused profile as he continued his late-night work. "You're always up working so late. Do you ever get any proper sleep?"

Setting down a freshly signed document, Alexander looked up, his expression unreadable. "I've grown accustomed to sleepless nights," he admitted calmly.

Understanding flickered in Evelyn's eyes—that explained the persistent shadows beneath his.

Hesitantly, she offered a small smile. "If you don't mind, Alexander, I could give you a scalp massage. It might help you relax and sleep better tonight."

Marrying A Secret Billionaire: A Twist of Fate