Chapter 365

"Are you?" Dominic seized Evelyn's slender wrist, pulling her toward the bed. "You were in such high spirits earlier, inviting everyone over for a barbecue. Did my presence ruin your mood?"

His fingers trailed down the buttons of her blouse.

She caught his hand, her grip tight. "Dominic! Not here!"

"Why not?" His voice was sharp, cutting through her protest. "What’s wrong with your house? Or is it because you’ve had other men in your bed before?"

Evelyn shoved him hard. "Because you’re filthy!"

He stiffened at her words.

She meant it—filthy because he had slept with Zoe Montgomery.

N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

She bolted for the door, unlocking it with trembling fingers. "Get out."

Dominic stared at the open doorway, then stepped forward—and slammed it shut.

"And you’re so pure?" His voice dripped with venom. "You carried another man’s child." He twisted the lock, then hauled her against him, lifting her off her feet.

The scar from her C-section still marked her abdomen. The first time he had seen it, he had frozen—then punished her for it, as if the scar itself had mocked him. She had told him Lily was a test-tube baby, conceived with sperm from a donor bank.

Dominic ignored her words, pressing her down onto the bed. She fought back, arms braced between them.

"Take a shower first!" She turned her face away, nose wrinkling. "You reek of alcohol."

The disgust in her expression ignited something in him. He grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the bathroom. "We’ll shower together."

"No!"

"Or were you planning to run while I was in there?" His grip tightened. He knew her too well.

"This is my house! Where would I even go at this hour?"

"Then we shower together." He yanked her inside, slamming the bathroom door behind them.

Meanwhile, in the yard, Michael swayed on his feet, the alcohol finally hitting him. He blinked, realizing—Dominic had been gone for a while.

"Wait… didn’t that bastard go to the bathroom? Why isn’t he back yet?"

Sophie Mercer, mid-sip, froze. "How long has it been?"

Adrian checked his watch. "An hour. Did he fall in or something?"

Sophie set down her glass and stormed toward the mansion, the others trailing behind.

The first floor was empty.

"He said he was going to the bathroom! There’s no one here!" Sophie hissed. "I told you—he wasn’t here to use the bathroom. He went after Evelyn!"

"Sophie, keep your voice down," Adrian warned. "The kids might be asleep."

She clamped a hand over her mouth, then tiptoed upstairs, the group following.

Sophie cracked open the door to the children’s room. A sliver of light fell across the bed.

Henry’s bright eyes snapped open. He threw off the blanket and sat up instantly.

"Henry…" Lily rubbed her eyes, stirring.

The adults exchanged panicked glances. Great. Now we’ve woken them.

Sophie flushed. "Sorry, sweethearts. We were just looking for Dominic. We think… he might be bothering your mom."

Henry and Lily exchanged a look—then bolted for Evelyn’s room.