Chapter 31

"The weekend starts tomorrow. We'll finalize the divorce on Monday!" Evelyn declared, her voice sharp with urgency.

Dominic remained impassive, casually lighting a cigarette while watching her through hooded eyes.

Evelyn's fingers twitched at her sides. Why wasn't he reacting? Was he actually reconsidering the divorce?

The thought sent a chill down her spine.

She drew a shuddering breath. "How can you stand being betrayed like this? If I were you, I'd never want to see my cheating wife again. You have to divorce me! Only a fool would stay married after this!"

Dominic exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his dark gaze tracking her every movement like a predator studying its prey.

"Did you meet Bianca yet? I bet that really got under your skin," Evelyn taunted, desperation making her reckless. "That was all my doing! I orchestrated everything just to torment you!"

From her corner, Mrs. Wilkins clutched her chest. Why was Evelyn sabotaging herself like this? Was the trauma of losing the baby affecting her judgment?

If she kept provoking Dominic like this, there was no telling what the ruthless CEO might do.

Unable to stay silent any longer, the housekeeper stepped forward. "Master Dominic, Madam Evelyn doesn't mean any of this. She's clearly distraught and lashing out. I can personally vouch that she's been home every day since the wedding - there's no way she could have been unfaithful with Mr. Whitmore."

"Mrs. Wilkins, please!" Evelyn's cheeks burned with humiliation. "This is between Dominic and me. I'll handle it."

"Then stop provoking him!" the housekeeper pleaded. "Apologize now while you still can."

"I don't want his forgiveness," Evelyn said through gritted teeth. "I just want my freedom."

Dominic's piercing gaze remained locked on Evelyn's tense shoulders.

Was this some elaborate game to manipulate him? Or did she genuinely want out?

From what he'd witnessed tonight, the latter seemed more likely.

Now that her affair with Julian had been exposed and the pregnancy terminated, she had nothing left to gain from their marriage. No wonder she was so desperate to run back to her lover's arms.

"Dream on," Dominic finally spoke, crushing his cigarette into the crystal ashtray with deliberate force. "You'll remain my wife until the day I die."

"What? Why?" Evelyn staggered back as if physically struck.

His lips curled into a cruel smile. "If staying married tortures you this much, then I'll happily keep you suffering for the rest of your life."

Evelyn's world tilted violently. This wasn't supposed to happen!

He was changing the rules mid-game!

How could she possibly escape him now?

She fled to her bedroom, her mind reeling.

Just as Evelyn slammed her door, Dominic's phone rang.

Lucas's voice came through, strained with worry. "Dominic, Bianca's in bad shape. She's roaming the streets refusing to go home. I can't get through to her."

"Call her brother."

"Already did... Listen, did you confront Evelyn? Was this whole Bianca situation really her idea?" Lucas pressed. "I've never seen Bianca like this before."

Dominic's laugh was ice cold. "Are you seriously blaming Evelyn for Bianca's poor judgment? If Evelyn told her to jump off a bridge, would you blame Evelyn for that too? Use your brain, Lucas."

Though chastened, Lucas couldn't let it go. "You're being unusually lenient with Evelyn. The Dominic I know would've destroyed her for cheating. Forcing an abortion seems... mild for you."

"You think that was easy for her?" Dominic's voice dropped dangerously low.

"Excuse me?"

"Her hatred for me right now is more satisfying than any physical punishment. Watching her powerless to act on that hatred... that's true revenge."

Lucas hesitated. "So you're really not divorcing her? Isn't that dangerous? What if she tries to kill you in your sleep?"

Dominic studied the crushed cigarette in the ashtray, his expression unreadable. "If she manages to kill me..." A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. "I'll die acknowledging her victory."