Chapter 439
Evelyn winced as she pulled her phone away from her ear. Sophie's shrieking voice was making her eardrums throb.
"Evelyn Thorne! Don't you dare die on me! Spill it right now! Whose baby are you carrying? I'm losing my damn mind over here!"
Sophie's voice crackled through the speaker. "Where the hell are you? I'm coming over right now! You better explain everything to my face!"
Evelyn couldn't help but chuckle at her best friend's dramatic reaction.
"I'm at home. Don't bother coming over," Evelyn said, stifling a yawn. "I'm going straight to bed after this call. Whose baby do you think it is...?"
She rubbed her temples. "I'm only telling you because my morning sickness is getting worse. I can barely keep food down, let alone alcohol... If anyone tries to pressure me into drinking at your wedding, you'll have to cover for me."
They'd previously planned to go all out at Sophie's bachelorette party the night before the wedding.
With their wild group of friends, alcohol would definitely be involved. Telling Sophie now would prevent complications later.
"Pregnant women can't drink! I'll personally guard your glass all night," Sophie declared, then gasped. "Wait... This isn't Dominic's baby, is it? Holy shit, what are you two playing at?"
Hearing his name sent a jolt through Evelyn's system.
Things between her and Dominic were... complicated. She'd been deliberately avoiding any thoughts about him.
It was the only way to keep the pain at bay.
"Keep this between us," Evelyn said, climbing the stairs to her bedroom. "The pregnancy might not even last three months."
"Of course I'll keep your secret," Sophie promised, then her voice turned venomous. "That bastard Dominic! What does he think he's doing? Is he even a man?"
Evelyn's head pounded. "Stop cursing him. This won't happen again."
She'd decided to view this pregnancy as her final act of atonement toward Dominic.
Whether the baby survived or not, after this, they'd be even. No more debts between them.
"You're too soft!" Sophie fumed. "If he dares touch you again, I'll personally hand you a pair of scissors!"
Heat flooded Evelyn's cheeks as she caught Sophie's meaning.
"Sophie, don't be angry. If the baby's healthy, I'll keep it. Raising another child alone won't be difficult."
"Humph! Go rest! I won't disturb you anymore."
That evening at Blackwood Manor...
Lucas's sleek sports car rolled into the circular driveway.
Dominic stood at the entrance in slate gray lounge pants and a black t-shirt, arms crossed as he watched his CFO approach.
"Here to mooch dinner," Lucas announced, setting down several designer shopping bags in the foyer. He updated Dominic on company affairs before adding, "You should keep resting at home. One day off and you already look better."
Dominic ignored the comment.
"Where's Sophia? I'll call her down for dinner." Lucas glanced around the grand hallway.
"Not feeling well today." Dominic strode toward the dining room. "You're putting in too much effort just to freeload a meal."
"Mainly came to check on you." Lucas followed, unperturbed. "How were you yesterday? I had nightmares all night. What's wrong with Sophia? Is it her head injury acting up? When's her next treatment?"
"You're unusually chatty today." Dominic's sharp gaze cut through him. "What's really going on?"
"Nothing." Lucas suddenly found the marble floors fascinating.
Dominic noted his evasion but didn't press further.
They engaged in a silent standoff until Lucas cracked first.
"So you're really skipping Adrian's wedding?" Lucas took his seat at the lavish dining table. "Eric's going. Evelyn personally invited him."
The carefully constructed calm on Dominic's face fractured.
"They've booked a beachfront villa for the pre-wedding party," Lucas continued mercilessly. "All-night rager. Not sure if Eric's attending, but Evelyn definitely is."
Dominic's expression turned glacial, all emotion locked behind impenetrable walls. Three icy words escaped his lips: "I'm not going."