Chapter 178

Evelyn pressed her fingertips against her temples. She had believed divorcing him would make her immune to his affairs. So why did this still sting? If Dominic cared so deeply about Sophia, why couldn't he just devote himself entirely to her?

The answer came swiftly. It wasn't about which woman he chose. She simply couldn't accept that she'd fallen for such a despicable man. Admitting that meant questioning her own judgment in men.

"Evelyn, are you okay?" Sophie's voice held concern. "Maybe I shouldn't have told you. But you'd have found out eventually."

"I'm fine," Evelyn replied, reaching for her water ss. The cool glass grounded her. "It's his life. As long as he's happy."

"Adrian mentioned it was Zoe's condition. Her treatment worked well. Dominic offered payment, but she refused money," Sophie explained.

Evelyn's stomach twisted. "No need to justify his choices. No one forced him."

"Apparently Sophia needs ongoing treatment. Zoe's the only one who can help, so..." Sophie trailed off, realizing how much she sounded like she was defending him.

Evelyn's laugh held no humor. "How convenient. If Zoe doesn't mind sharing him with half the city, it's a perfect arrangement."

Sophie nodded vigorously. "She's moved into Mooncrest Manor already. Bizarre, but whatever makes them happy. Forget that bastard. He's dead to us now."

"Agreed. Work's crazy this week. Dinner when things calm down?" Evelyn offered.

"Deal!" Sophie brightened.

After hanging up, Evelyn stared into her water ss. She knew little about Zoe Montgomery, but this stunt revealed her audacity. The woman hadn't even performed Sophia's surgery, yet dared blackmail Dominic into a relationship. Wasn't she afraid of exposure?

Not that Evelyn cared. Zoe wanted Dominic; Evelyn wanted nothing from him - not his wealth, not his body. Just peace with her children. She wouldn't waste energy exposing Zoe's lies.

Night had fallen when Evelyn returned home exhausted. The living room TV glowed in the dark.

"Mama!" Lily came running. "You're home! Are you tired?"

Evelyn shook her head, smoothing her daughter's hair. "Not at all, sweetheart. How was school?"

"If mama's not tired, then Lily's not tired," the four-year-old declared, her cherubic face serious.

She tugged Evelyn toward the sofa where financial news played. Dominic's striking features filled the screen.

"Lily, did you turn this on?" Evelyn frowned at the unusual channel choice.

Lily glanced at Henry. "Henry did... I changed it..."

Evelyn's arms encircled her daughter as she called, "Henry, come here. Both of you need to hear this."

The boy abandoned his puzzle and approached. Evelyn pointed at the screen. "Memorize this face. If you ever see him, walk away immediately. Don't go near him."

Lily's nose scrunched. "Why, mama?"

Evelyn chose her words carefully. "He might hurt you if he finds out about you both."

She repeated Dominic's own threat verbatim - how he'd sworn to strangle any children she bore. Now that he knew of their existence, caution was essential.

Lily's tiny hands grabbed the remote and silenced the TV. Any admiration for the handsome man vanished. In her child's mind, he'd transformed into a monster.