Chapter 374

When Dominic appeared by the table, Evelyn was about to take a bite of the cake.

The plastic fork nearly snapped in her grip at the sight of him.

Of all the restaurants in Ravenshore, why did he have to walk into this one?

Sophie frowned. "What a coincidence, Mr. Blackwood. Business meeting?"

She waved sarcastically at the group behind him. The men returned polite but cautious smiles.

Dominic glanced at the cake, then at the children. "Birthday?" His voice was deep, commanding, and laced with confusion.

He remembered Henry’s birthday was April 13th. Not today.

Evelyn’s blood turned to ice. She hadn’t wanted to celebrate openly for this exact reason. Yet here he was, catching them mid-celebration.

Dominic studied the panic flashing across Evelyn’s face.

"So Henry’s birthday isn’t April 13th? And Lily’s is today too?" His gaze sharpened. "Two children, same birthday. Unless—"

"Got nothing better to do?" Sophie snatched the party hats off Lily and Henry’s heads and plopped them onto herself and Evelyn. "Today’s our friendship anniversary. We’re celebrating. Got a problem with that?"

Evelyn’s panic dissolved instantly.

Dominic’s eyes locked onto Evelyn. "Eager to remarry?"

Her breath hitched. Before she could respond, Sophie cut in. "Mind your own business, Dominic. Even if she does remarry, it won’t be you. Give it up."

Dominic’s expression darkened. "Sophie Mercer, I wasn’t speaking to you."

Evelyn stepped in. "She said exactly what I would’ve. Yelling in public? Very unprofessional."

She emphasized public, and Dominic visibly reined in his temper.

Jaw clenched, he turned and strode away.

Once he was gone, Sophie exhaled. "Damn, that was intense. Never seen him that pissed at me before."

"Don’t provoke him next time. Adrian’s stuck in the middle."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "Why’s he so obsessed? You’re divorced. Then he asks if you want to remarry? What, is he offering?"

Evelyn sighed. "Let’s just avoid upscale places from now on."

"We’re not the ones who should be hiding!"

Evelyn’s chest tightened.

She was hiding. Her children were her weakness. If it came down to it, she’d give Dominic a child—but never Henry and Lily.

"Mommy, why did he ask about marriage?" Lily piped up.

Sophie burst out laughing. "Your mom tried on a wedding dress today. Stunning. Bet Dominic saw the photo and lost his mind."

Evelyn flushed. "Sophie, no more posting me online."

"He’s not on my socials. Probably Adrian or Nathan sent it. Men gossip worse than we do."

As Evelyn peeled shrimp for the kids, her phone lit up.

Dominic’s name flashed on the screen.

She removed her gloves and unlocked it.

A single message:

Oceanview Grand Hotel. Room 906.