Chapter 405

That day's events served as a brutal wake-up call. Evelyn would never allow her son to confront Dominic directly again.

"But you wouldn't get hurt without reason. It must have been him..." Henry deduced, his small brow furrowing deeply.

"I wanted to see you and Lily so badly last night that I went out alone. Then I encountered a wolf," Evelyn explained carefully. "Go tell Uncle Michael and Lily I'm fine. I don't want them worrying, okay?"

Henry nodded slowly, suspicion still clouding his young features.

"Mommy, aren't you coming home with me? The police can take us both."

"My leg injury is too painful right now. I'll return once it heals properly."

"Oh Mommy, please don't wander around anymore. If it's so dangerous outside, just stay inside. We'll find a way to get you back."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. "Henry, I'm so happy you came looking for me. But if anything like this happens again, don't come. You're still so small. If anything happened to you..." Her voice broke.

Henry's jaw set stubbornly. "If something happened to you, what would happen to me and Lily? If there's a next time, I'll still come."

Tears burned Evelyn's eyes. "There won't be a next time."

"Mommy, please stay far away from him... He's sick."

Evelyn assumed Henry only said this because Dominic had nearly strangled him.

"He won't hurt me. But you and Lily must stay away. Henry, didn't I tell you both last year? Never go near him. Didn't you listen?"

Henry's gaze dropped to the floor.

"You and Lily are my most precious treasures. My greatest wish is seeing you both grow up healthy and safe," Evelyn whispered. "So remember what I've told you."

Henry gave a reluctant nod, his small shoulders slumped.

An hour later, police vehicles arrived at the forest mansion. Henry climbed into the backseat.

"Henry, where's your mother?" Michael demanded, scanning the area with the officers. After speaking with Dominic's bodyguards, the police had simply escorted Henry out.

Just like that?

"Mommy's leg is injured. She can't move right now." Henry's voice carried his disappointment at leaving Evelyn behind.

"How did she get hurt? Is it bad?"

"A wolf bit her."

Michael's head snapped around. "Wolves? There are wolves here? Or is the wolf actually Dominic in disguise?"

Henry remained silent.

"Mr. Blackwood's security team explained Miss Thorne went out alone at night and was attacked by a wolf," an officer clarified. "She's receiving medical care. They'll return her home once she recovers."

Michael scoffed. "That's ridiculous!" Then he noticed the bruises on Henry's neck. "Henry! What happened to your neck? Who did this?"

Henry pressed his lips together. His mother had made him promise to leave quickly and never see Dominic again. He wouldn't break that promise.

If Dominic tried to kill him again next time, who would protect Mommy and Lily?

"That bastard Dominic! How dare he strangle you! Don't worry Henry, Evelyn would never choose him after this!" Michael raged.

Henry's eyes reddened. Being nearly killed by his own father had traumatized the five-year-old deeply.

Back in the mansion, Evelyn lay in bed receiving an IV drip.

Dominic sat shrouded in cigarette smoke in the room's corner.

Through the haze, Evelyn studied his blurred profile. After a long silence, she asked hoarsely, "Dominic... have you ever killed someone?"