Chapter 287

"Yes! Sophia, you're an aunt now!" The nanny laughed, then her expression turned thoughtful. "But I don't believe your brother is aware of this. I can't confirm if Henry is truly his son as well."

Sophia's face fell. "He doesn't like Dominic."

The nanny shook her head. "That's because your brother is currently in a relationship. I really shouldn't be discussing this—their situation is far too complicated."

Sophia, as always, tuned out the complicated matters and returned her attention to the painting Henry had gifted her, her fingers tracing the delicate brushstrokes with admiration.

That weekend, Sophie and Evelyn set out for a shopping spree. "If everything goes smoothly, I'll be spending New Year's at Adrian's place," Sophie confessed, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I overheard my father and his discussing... marriage arrangements."

Evelyn smiled warmly. "Isn't that wonderful? You two have been together for ages. It's about time."

"But we're still so young! There's so much more we haven't experienced yet!" Sophie tugged Evelyn into a high-end boutique, her excitement tinged with anxiety.

Evelyn chuckled. "How is what you have now any different from being married? You're practically inseparable."

"Yes, we do plan to spend our lives together, but what if our feelings change? What if we grow tired of each other?" Sophie paused at the new arrivals section, picking up a sleek casual jacket. "Evelyn, what do you think of this one?"

"Too outdated," Evelyn replied without hesitation.

Sophie shot her a playful glare. "Since when did you develop such questionable taste?"

"Evelyn, what's gotten into you today? Since when would I buy something like this for Adrian?" Sophie teased, then gasped dramatically. "Wait—are you in love?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Spare me. I'd like to live a little longer."

Sophie laughed. "You're right. Being single is far less complicated." She checked the jacket's tag before flagging down a sales associate. "Do you have this in a triple XL?"

"Only double XL for this style, but we have a similar design available in triple XL," the associate offered, presenting an alternative.

With no father or uncles to shop for, Evelyn found herself with little to buy. She settled onto a plush sofa nearby, idly flipping through a glossy fashion magazine.

Suddenly, a pair of sleek black boots entered her line of sight. She glanced up—and froze. Zoe Montgomery stood before her, her presence as unexpected as it was unwelcome.

"Evelyn, what a surprise!" Zoe chirped, her smile saccharine. She had been accompanying her father on his shopping trip and had overheard Sophie mention Evelyn's name moments earlier.

"Indeed, what a coincidence," Evelyn replied coolly, not bothering to rise from her seat.

Richard Montgomery approached, eyeing Evelyn curiously. "Is this a friend of yours?" he asked his daughter.

Zoe's lips curled. "This is Dominic Blackwood's ex-wife, Evelyn Thorne."

"Ah..." Recognition flickered in Richard's eyes. He'd heard of Evelyn, but this was his first time seeing her in person. She was far more striking than her photographs suggested.

"I'm finished here," Richard announced, deliberately ignoring Evelyn. Margaret despised the woman, ranting about her incessantly at home.

"If you like them, take them all!" Zoe declared, pulling a sleek black card from her purse. "After all, Dominic is footing the bill."

Her words were laced with implication—that Dominic had given her the card. The associate accepted it eagerly, preparing the receipt for signature.

"Should I sign my name or my boyfriend's?" Zoe asked loudly, ensuring Evelyn heard every word.

"Yours will do," the associate gushed, envy dripping from her voice. "Your boyfriend must adore you—this card has no spending limit!"

Zoe beamed. "Absolutely. He treats me like a queen. And I love him more than anything."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the magazine, but her expression remained impassive. The game, it seemed, was far from over.