Chapter 137

"Happy New Year, Evelyn," Dominic murmured, his fingers brushing away the tears staining her porcelain cheeks.

Evelyn recoiled as if burned, putting deliberate distance between them.

"I'm done with this, Dominic," she stated, her voice brittle as winter frost.

Before he could respond, she twisted the diamond engagement ring from her finger with trembling hands.

"I can't keep this." The words tasted like ash as she thrust the glittering stone into his coat pocket.

Her breath hitched. "I love you... but I can't keep loving you like this."

Moonlight caught in the tear tracks on her face as she lifted her chin defiantly.

"Those photos of her - on your computer, your phone..." Evelyn's voice cracked. "She's in your heart too, isn't she? You treat me well, Dominic, but she owns you. I won't beg for explanations or demand you choose. Because we both know how that would end."

She swallowed hard. "It's over."

This wasn't a negotiation.

This was her final decree.

Dominic stood paralyzed, shock carving lines into his handsome face.

Everything had been perfect mere hours ago.

Her homemade meals waiting when he returned late from work. The way she curled against him each night...

He'd believed they had forever.

When had she made this decision?

The realization struck like a physical blow - she'd been withdrawing for weeks.

Maybe since the holidays. Maybe longer.

"My lawyer will contact yours after New Year's," Evelyn said, swiping angrily at fresh tears. "I'm leaving Ravenshore tonight."

She took another step backward, her voice breaking. "Don't follow me, Dominic. Don't call. Let's pretend... let's pretend none of this ever happened."

Her nails bit into her palms as she fought to steady her breathing.

That first glimpse of the mysterious woman's photos on Dominic's laptop had planted the seed of doubt.

Finding them again on his phone - carefully preserved among zero other images - had been the final betrayal.

The truth was undeniable now.

However much Dominic cared for her, his heart belonged to another.

A yellow cab materialized at Evelyn's raised hand.

Against her better judgment, she glanced back one final time.

Only empty pavement greeted her, the winter wind howling through the abandoned street.

Dominic hadn't chased her.

Just as she'd known he wouldn.

However many nights she'd lain awake waiting for him to explain, to choose her - he never would.

The dam broke. Sobs wracked her body as she collapsed into the taxi's vinyl seat.

"Airport," she choked out to the driver.

Clara would be waiting there with their packed suitcases. Their flight departed in two hours.

Buildings blurred past the window as the cab accelerated, each familiar landmark twisting the knife deeper.

Every memory with Dominic played behind her eyelids - so vivid they hurt.

Her stomach contracted sharply as the twins kicked in protest.

Seven months along now. Their father would never hold them.

Four Years Later

3:17 AM

A sudden glow pierced the darkness of the Blackwood mansion's master suite.

Dominic jerked awake, fumbling for his buzzing phone.

Professor Whitmore's name flashed on the screen. He answered instantly.

"Dominic..." The voice was thready, strained. "I... don't have much time. That project we discussed... I'm entrusting it to... my student..."

A muffled thud.

Then silence.

Dominic was already on his feet, dread pooling in his gut.

"Sebastian?" No response. "Professor Whitmore!"

The line stayed dead.

Nearly an hour passed before his phone rang again - the professor's assistant this time.

"Mr. Blackwood," came the somber voice. "I'm sorry to inform you Professor Whitmore has passed. His chronic condition... When I saw you were his last call..."