Chapter 119

At the threshold of the guest suite, Evelyn murmured, "I'll escort you back first. I need to rest for a while myself. I'll come find you after I wake."

Dominic wheeled into the room, his voice weary. "I'm exhausted too."

Evelyn blinked in surprise.

"You haven't eaten anything! You should go have dinner—"

"Forget it. Just rest."

How could Evelyn possibly forget?

Letting him go hungry on his birthday twisted her stomach with guilt.

She dashed back to the private dining area to prepare a plate for Dominic.

The gathered guests eagerly assisted her.

"Take more meat, Miss Thorne! Make sure he finishes every bite! He's become so thin lately."

"We're counting on you to look after our boss, Miss Thorne!"

"Rest well after your meal. We won't disturb you at all!"

Cheeks burning, Evelyn carried the laden tray back to their suite.

Dominic was engrossed in his phone when she entered.

She set the food before him with careful precision.

"Aren't you going to remove that sweater? You're perspiring," she observed, fingers twisting nervously. "I shouldn't have chosen such heavy yarn."

Dominic locked his phone and peeled off the knitted garment.

"It'll serve as an overcoat."

Evelyn took the sweater, her fingers brushing against his briefly, before hanging it in the closet.

"I brought you plenty of food," she said, perching on the edge of the bed. "Please eat as much as you can."

Her gaze traced the sharp angles of his back through his dress shirt.

He had indeed lost considerable weight, while her own curves had grown more pronounced with each passing week.

Five months pregnant now.

Her appetite had become insatiable. Though she monitored her diet carefully, the twins growing within her demanded constant nourishment.

Evelyn had intended to help Dominic settle after his meal, but exhaustion claimed her before he finished.

When Dominic finally joined her, he found her deep in slumber.

For long moments, he simply watched the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing, unable to resist tracing the curve of her cheek with featherlight fingertips.

Evelyn awoke to darkness pressing against the windows.

She bolted upright, finding Dominic's obsidian eyes watching her intently from his wheelchair.

Heat flooded her face. "You...you weren't watching me sleep this whole time, were you?"

A faint pink tinged Dominic's ears.

"Are you hungry?" he deflected. "It's seven. I told them to proceed with dinner without us. We'll dine elsewhere."

Evelyn agreed, slipping into the bathroom to splash cool water on her face.

Night had descended upon Ravenswood with a biting chill.

The cold seeped into Evelyn's bones as she guided Dominic's wheelchair through the quiet streets.

"Let's get ribs!" she suggested brightly.

"Whatever you wish," Dominic acquiesced.

Though the sidewalks stood nearly empty, the glow of restaurant windows promised warmth and sustenance.

Evelyn's stomach growled loudly—she'd missed lunch entirely.

"Oh! Cotton candy!" she exclaimed, spotting a vendor's cart. "Wait here—I haven't had any in ages!"

Dominic's lips curved at her childlike enthusiasm.

Moments later, Evelyn returned triumphant, clutching the pink cloud of sugar.

Then—movement.

A sleek black sedan accelerating dangerously.

Aiming directly for Dominic.

The cotton candy tumbled forgotten to the pavement as Evelyn launched herself forward, her scream slicing through the frosty air—

"DOMINIC! MOVE!"