Chapter 224

Evelyn's car doors were locked!

Only a thin sheet of glass separated them, leaving Dominic powerless to reach her.

His bodyguard sprinted forward with an emergency hammer, shattering the windshield in one swift motion before climbing inside.

Once in, the bodyguard swiftly unlocked the doors.

Dominic yanked open the driver’s side door and pulled Evelyn into his arms.

She bore no visible wounds, but her breathing was faint—too faint.

Her state resembled a deep, unnatural slumber.

Otherwise, the violent shattering of glass would have jolted her awake instantly.

At St. Elizabeth Medical Center, after a full examination, the doctor announced, "She fainted due to oxygen deprivation. Fortunately, you brought her in time—she’s not in critical condition. Rest is all she needs. She’ll recover upon waking."

Dominic’s jaw tightened. "How did she end up deprived of oxygen? Did the tests reveal anything abnormal?"

The doctor scanned the report before handing it over. "Her vitals are stable. Aside from slightly low blood sugar, nothing stands out."

Dominic’s gaze darkened as he studied Evelyn’s pale face. "Then why hasn’t she woken? When will she? Are you certain hospitalization isn’t necessary?"

No external injuries, yet she’d collapsed inside a locked car.

Something wasn’t adding up.

"Exhaustion, Mr. Blackwood," the doctor explained patiently. "Her body is demanding rest—hence the deep sleep." He lifted Evelyn’s eyelid gently, revealing bloodshot veins. "See the dark circles? The redness? Her system is overworked."

Dominic’s grip on the report tightened.

So she’d been pushing herself to the brink.

Had she dozed off while driving, then succumbed completely at the wheel?

What could possibly have drained her so thoroughly?

If he’d arrived even minutes later—

He shoved the thought away.

An hour later, Dominic carried Evelyn into Blackwood Manor, then called Clara.

"Why is my daughter at your house?!" Clara’s voice spiked with alarm.

"The doctor advised rest, not hospitalization," Dominic replied evenly. "She’s safe here."

"You know our address. Why not bring her home?!"

Clara’s fingers clenched around her phone. She couldn’t risk bringing Lily and Henry to his estate. Not with the past between them.

"You’d understand if you saw her condition," Dominic countered, deliberately vague.

A beat of silence. Then—

"What aren’t you telling me? What happened to Evelyn?!"

"For now, she’s stable. Asleep. She’ll return once she wakes." A pause. "If you’re uneasy, come with the children. My doors are open."

"...I’ll send Wesley."

Another hour passed before Wesley Ashford arrived.

"You’re saying she passed out in a locked car?" Wesley’s disbelief was palpable. "While driving?"

Dominic’s icy stare pinned him. "What exactly is your relationship with Evelyn, Mr. Ashford?"