Chapter 393

Evelyn's skin burned like fire, her entire body radiating an alarming heat. The flush spreading across her delicate features made it seem as though she might combust at any moment!

No matter how many times Dominic called her name, she remained unresponsive.

His chest tightened painfully.

"Doctor!" Dominic's voice echoed through the sterile halls as he rushed out in search of medical help. The physician arrived swiftly, his expression turning grave the moment he assessed Evelyn's condition. "Mr. Blackwood, we must bring her fever down immediately. Either we restart the IV or administer oral medication. What would you prefer?"

"She's unconscious!" Dominic snapped, his jaw clenching. "How exactly is she supposed to swallow pills? Should I force them down her throat myself?"

A bead of sweat trickled down the doctor's temple. "Then we'll proceed with the IV."

Since the previous saline solution had spilled onto the floor, the doctor had to prepare a new bag before reinserting the catheter.

Dominic stood rigidly beside the bed, his stormy gaze fixed on Evelyn's lifeless form. All he wanted was the truth—why would she rather die than give him the answers he sought?

The thought twisted like a knife in his chest, leaving him torn between fury and despair.

This woman—what had she ever brought him except agony?

At Mooncrest Manor, Lily had cried until her eyes were swollen and red. Between hiccupping sobs, she kept repeating that Dominic was a "very bad man."

Sophia stood nearby like a scolded child, her head bowed in silence.

She had never seen her brother so ruthless. Dominic had always been gentle with her—why was he treating Evelyn with such cruelty?

Nathan shared Sophia's bewilderment. While he understood Dominic's grief over his mother's death, he couldn't fathom why Evelyn had become the target of his wrath.

"Mr. Blackwood must have his reasons," Nathan murmured to Michael, adjusting his sses.

Michael's temper flared. "Just get out!"

"Then... Sophia stays with you for now?" Nathan needed to ensure her safety.

"Of course she stays!" Michael growled. "If Dominic lays a single finger on Evelyn, I'll personally dissect Sophia myself!"

Nathan sighed. "Very well. Take care of her until they return. I'll come back tomorrow."

Once Nathan left, Michael scooped Lily into his arms. "Sweetheart, stop crying. Dominic was just trying to scare us because he's afraid we'll leak his ugly photos."

Lily sniffled, her tiny fists clenched. "Uncle Michael, I don't like him anymore."

"Since when did you like him?" Michael frowned.

Lily's lower lip trembled. "In my dreams, he was nice..."

"Oh, so you liked the version of him in your dreams?"

She nodded miserably. She had so desperately wanted her father to be good, to one day reconcile with him. But reality had shattered that hope too many times.

She was done with fantasies.

All she wanted now was her mother back.

By ten o'clock that night, Evelyn's fever finally broke. Three IV bags later, her body finally surrendered to the treatment.

Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing the unfamiliar room. Memories trickled back slowly.

"Miss Thorne, you're awake?" A gentle voice spoke—a nanny Dominic had hired to tend to her.

"You haven't eaten all day. You must be starving. I've prepared some oatmeal." The nanny lifted the lid of the thermos, releasing a warm, comforting aroma.

"Let me help you."

Evelyn turned her face away, her heavy eyelids sealing shut once more. She refused to speak—not to the nanny, not to anyone associated with Dominic.

If he wouldn't release her, she would rather waste away.

The nanny sighed and left to consult Dominic.

Moments later, his imposing figure filled the doorway. Fresh from a shower, he wore a slate-gray robe, his damp hair tousled.

He approached the bed, his gaze boring into Evelyn's exhausted face.

"Evelyn," he warned, his voice dangerously low, "if you won't let the nanny feed you, I'll do it myself."

Her fingers tightened around the sheets.

She ignored him.