Chapter 252

Evelyn's nose throbbed with sharp pain as Dominic crushed her face against his chest. She blinked through her tears, scanning the dimly lit room with her reddened nose.

Where was Zoe? Why was Dominic alone in this suite? Hadn't she been tasked with looking after her intoxicated lover?

Evelyn shoved against his chest, but Dominic only tightened his grip, his arms like steel bands around her.

"Don't leave me, Evelyn..." His voice was raw as he lifted her effortlessly off the ground. "I've missed you... every damn day..."

The words slurred from his lips as he carried her toward the bed. Her heart clenched at the sight of him—completely wrecked by alcohol. They said drunken confessions held sober truths.

Did that mean he still carried a torch for her?

His weight pressed her into the mattress, his gaze burning into hers with unsettling intensity. "Let me go, Dominic Blackwood!" Evelyn gasped, palms flattening against his stubbled cheeks. "Sophia's crying at home—Mrs. Wilkins called me. She needs you—"

His mouth crashed onto hers, swallowing her protests.

Had he just ignored Sophia's name? Since when did he disregard his twin sister's distress? Normally, just hearing her name would send him into a panic. What had changed tonight?

Evelyn bit down hard. The metallic tang of blood bloomed between them.

"Dominic!" She wrenched her face away, tears spilling hot down her cheeks. "Sophia needs you! Are you even listening? She's waiting for you!"

Dominic licked his bleeding lip, his own tears now falling onto her skin. "I heard you," he rasped, voice gravelly with emotion. "But I'm not leaving. Not tonight. I'm staying right here with you."

Her resistance shattered.

Their lips met again, desperate and hungry. Evelyn stopped fighting. The image of his tear-streaked face haunted her—it hurt too much to push him away.

How had they come to this?

Zoe returned, clutching a shopping bag from an upscale boutique.

As she stepped into the suite, muffled moans slithered from the bedroom.

The bag slipped from her fingers, thudding onto the plush carpet. Her breath hitched. Impossible. She crept toward the half-open door, pulse hammering.

The scene inside stole her breath.

Dominic—drunk, reckless Dominic—was tangled in the sheets with Evelyn. Again.

Zoe's nails dug into her palms. Rage darkened her vision. How she longed to storm in, yank Evelyn's hair, and fling her into the hallway.

But Dominic was on top of her. And despite his intoxication, his grip looked unbreakable.

She couldn't intervene. Not yet.

Helpless, Zoe could only watch, tears streaming silently down her face. The injustice burned. Every instinct screamed at her to leave, but she remained rooted.

Everything had to proceed according to plan.

One misstep, and months of meticulous scheming would unravel. Jaw clenched, Zoe eased the door shut with trembling fingers.