Chapter 424

The guard blinked twice when he spotted Evelyn standing outside the gates. His hands trembled slightly on the security monitor controls. After that explosive fight with Dominic, how could she possibly show up here?

Normally, he would've buzzed her in immediately. Today, his finger hovered uncertainly over the access button.

He reached for the house intercom instead. Mrs. Wilkins answered on the third ring.

"Evelyn Thorne is at the main gate," the guard reported, voice tight with tension.

A sharp intake of breath crackled through the speaker. "I'll handle this." The intercom clicked off.

The sky had been clear when Evelyn arrived. Now dark clouds gathered ominously overhead.

Mrs. Wilkins emerged without opening the gate. Her expression turned stormy when she saw Evelyn's pale face.

"Evelyn," she said coldly. "Are you here to see Mr. Blackwood?" The housekeeper's tone made it clear she knew exactly who'd put Dominic in the hospital. Any sympathy she might have felt had evaporated.

Dominic had nearly died. He wouldn't want to see the woman responsible.

Evelyn nodded stiffly. "Is he home?"

"He is. The doctors ordered complete bed rest for at least four weeks after his discharge." Mrs. Wilkins crossed her arms. "They were very specific about minimizing disturbances."

Evelyn swallowed hard. "I need to speak with him."

"About what?" The housekeeper's voice turned sharp. "Unless it's life-or-death, I can't—"

"I understand." Evelyn cut her off. The pregnancy test burned in her pocket. But Dominic needed recovery time more than he needed this complication.

Mrs. Wilkins softened slightly at the despair in Evelyn's eyes. "Even if I asked him, I doubt he'd agree to see you."

Evelyn's shoulders slumped. "I'm not blaming you."

After a long pause, the housekeeper sighed. "Wait here. I'll check—"

"No." Evelyn straightened abruptly. "Let him rest." Agitation could jeopardize his recovery.

The baby's viability wouldn't be confirmed for weeks anyway. She could wait.

She turned to leave just as the first raindrops fell.

Mrs. Wilkins hurried back inside, returning moments later with a large umbrella. Evelyn was already halfway down the driveway.

"Evelyn!" The housekeeper rushed after her. "Take this at least!"

Evelyn paused, only then noticing the rain soaking through her blouse. She glanced up at the weeping sky.

"It's fine." She waved off the offered umbrella. Accepting it would mean returning later—another painful encounter she couldn't bear.

She'd come in a haze of shock after the positive test. But after everything, maybe Dominic wouldn't even care about the pregnancy. To him, she was already dead.

Evelyn quickened her pace, vanishing into the downpour. Mrs. Wilkins watched her go, the unused umbrella dripping in her hand.

On the mansion's upper balcony, Dominic stood perfectly still. His knuckles whitened on the railing as Evelyn disappeared down the street.

Why had she come? The question sliced through him with fresh pain.