Chapter 190

"Don't touch me!" Henry's sharp voice cut through the air like a knife.

He swiftly pulled his cap back over his head, hiding his features once more.

Mrs. Wilkins recoiled in surprise at the boy's sudden outburst.

Dominic and Sophia both stared - Sophia with frightened eyes, Dominic with stunned realization. For the first time, he'd seen Henry's face clearly... and the resemblance was uncanny.

"Then wipe it yourself?" Mrs. Wilkins offered after wringing out the towel, her voice gentle but firm. "Your face is sweaty. You'll feel better after cleaning up."

Henry snatched the towel only to hurl it back into the water bucket.

Recognizing the boy's volatile mood, Mrs. Wilkins wisely retreated with the bucket.

"If you don't explain how you know Sophia and what your argument was about, you're not leaving this house tonight," Dominic threatened, having regained his composure.

Henry ignored him completely, making for the door.

Two broad-shouldered guards materialized in the doorway, blocking his path. Henry lifted his chin, fixing them with an icy glare.

The men shifted uncomfortably under the child's piercing gaze. There was something unnerving about the intensity in those young eyes.

This was no ordinary boy. The guards instinctively recognized danger in Henry's predatory stance. He carried himself with the same commanding presence as Dominic himself, putting them on edge.

Henry checked his watch - 4:50 p.m. Grandma would alert Mother if he wasn't picked up from Willowbrook Academy by 5:30. Evelyn would come. He just needed to wait.

Seeing Henry plant himself by the door, Dominic knew he'd lost this battle. There were lines even he wouldn't cross. Harming this boy was unthinkable - Evelyn would never forgive him.

"Sophia," Dominic turned to his sister, "how do you know Henry?"

Sophia nibbled on the banana Mrs. Wilkins had originally peeled for Henry. At the question, her eyes darted nervously between the two males in the room.

Memories surfaced of her begging Henry to take her away from school that day. Telling Dominic would make him angry... but worse, it might make Henry stop speaking to her forever.

So she took another slow bite, blinking up at Dominic with deliberately wide, innocent eyes. The message was clear: she wouldn't betray Henry's confidence.

A strange sense of defeat settled over Dominic. The parallels between Sophia and Henry were striking - both reticent, both wary of outsiders.

His mind raced with unanswered questions about their connection and what had transpired between them.

"Master Blackwood!" Mrs. Wilkins gasped, noticing the bite mark on his neck. "Should I fetch the medical kit?"

Dominic's gaze flicked to Henry. "No need."

Evelyn would be arriving soon, furious no doubt. He'd keep this bite as evidence of her son's misbehavior.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway sent Henry springing to his feet. Through the window, he saw his mother's familiar figure stepping out of the vehicle.