Chapter 354

Evelyn clutched Dominic's robe with trembling fingers, her crimson-rimmed eyes blazing with defiance. "My body, my choice! Don't you dare cross that line! Push me further and you'll regret it!"

Her sharp cry sliced through the midnight silence.

His throat moved visibly as he swallowed hard.

"Give me back my phone!" Evelyn glared at his exposed neck, contemplating whether to sink her teeth into that tempting pulse point if he refused.

"Evelyn, mark my words." Dominic's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "If I find out you took any birth control, you'll be sharing my bed indefinitely!"

He tossed the phone onto the mattress. The moment her fingers closed around it, Evelyn sprang from the bed like a startled doe. She scrambled for her discarded clothes, dressing with frantic movements.

Before storming out, she slammed the door so hard the frame rattled.

The city streets lay deserted at 2:30 AM. The crisp night air washed over her, stripping away the lingering exhaustion.

Her phone screen illuminated with dozens of missed calls - all from Michael. Her thumb hovered over the callback button. How could she possibly explain tonight's events?

The entire encounter felt surreal, like some twisted dream she couldn't wake from.

Meanwhile, Dominic stood in Zoe's hospital room at three in the morning. The moment she saw him, fresh tears spilled down her pale cheeks.

He reached for a tissue, dabbing gently at her face.

"Zoe, you need to stop this."

"Our baby... gone. I... can't... breathe..." Her words came in shuddering gasps between sobs. "My fault... should've... protected..."

"You'll have other children," Dominic murmured, though the words sounded hollow even to him. "Rest now."

Zoe's tear-filled eyes locked onto his. "The doctors said... never again! Dominic, our baby was almost fully formed! Do you know what they showed me?"

"I know."

"It's Evelyn's fault—"

"Why did you summon Evelyn?" Dominic cut in sharply. "You involved my mother to bring her here. Was that necessary?"

A fresh wave of tears cascaded down Zoe's face. "I regret everything! After you broke our engagement... when you said you loved her... I lost myself. I just wanted to disappear... but first, I needed to see her. To beg her to accept our child if you two—"

Dominic studied Zoe's anguished expression. "So she pushed you?"

Zoe drew a shaky breath. "Maybe seeing proof of our love triggered her? She clearly still has feelings for you. I never imagined she'd be capable of such cruelty—"

Dominic's expression darkened like gathering storm clouds. If Zoe spoke truth, Evelyn's actions were unforgivable.

"Every time I close my eyes... I see our baby... covered in blood... screaming for help—"

"Enough!" Dominic's command sliced through her hysterics. "The child is gone. Dwelling on it helps nothing."

"Dominic, will our baby's death go unpunished?" Zoe whispered between ragged breaths.

"I'll deal with Evelyn. Focus on recovering."

"Thank you... I'm sorry for disturbing you so..." Zoe's voice trailed off as exhaustion claimed her.