Chapter 45
Evelyn didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Sophie... I had no choice. When my family was drowning in debt, my stepmother sold me off for the dowry money. I'm still trying to get divorced!"
"What kind of medieval bullshit is this?!" Sophie exploded. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? We're filing a police report right now!"
Evelyn grabbed her friend's wrist to stop her. "It's not that dramatic. We live in completely different universes. The divorce should be finalized any day now."
Sophie wasn't buying it.
"Who is this mystery man? Tell me... your husband... God! This sounds like some bad romance novel!"
"It does sound ridiculous. I'll introduce you after the divorce papers are signed."
"No way! You're telling me now! I'll handle this for you!"
Evelyn knew Sophie's fiery temper all too well.
If she discovered it was Dominic Blackwood, she'd storm Blackwood Group headquarters immediately.
Things with Dominic were already tense enough without Sophie throwing gasoline on the fire.
"Just focus on investigating Adrian Vaughn first! I promise I'll tell you everything about my husband after that," Evelyn bargained.
"Oh ho! Listen to you calling him 'my husband' so casually. Bet you whisper 'darling' in his ear every night!" Sophie teased.
Evelyn's face burned. She exhaled sharply. "As if he'd acknowledge that. He was coerced into this marriage too."
"Really? I was picturing some greasy tycoon forcing you into a gold-plated cage-"
"Stop! You've been reading too many trashy novels! It's nothing like that!"
Sophie shook her head sympathetically. "Well, that senior in your department just lost his shot. You know he's crazy about you, right?"
Evelyn's expression turned to stone.
"Okay, okay! Don't give me that look... I know you're not interested. I'll let him down gently..." Sophie changed subjects abruptly. "Let's go to a concert after this! The Philharmonic has Alessandro performing today!"
Evelyn's phone buzzed with an unknown number, but the message style was unmistakable.
[The car will collect you at 4 p.m.]
It was signed "Dominic Blackwood."
Was this Dominic's private number?
Why was he sending a car for her?
"Earth to Evelyn! The concert starts at..." Sophie pinched her cheek to get her attention.
"What time does it begin?" Evelyn tucked her phone away, suddenly feeling feverish. She gulped her iced tea.
"Four thirty," Sophie answered. "It's Alessandro! Your favorite since college!" Evelyn rubbed her temples. "I'd love to go, really! But I have something at four I can't miss."
"What's so important? Can't you reschedule?"
"Impossible." Sophie rolled her eyes. "Let me guess - hubby dearest?"
Evelyn buried her face in her hands. Her silence spoke volumes.
"Why do you jump when he snaps his fingers? Who is this guy? Am I chopped liver? Just blow him off and come with me!" Sophie fumed. "You know you're more important, but... I kind of fear his wrath."
"What's he gonna do? Chain you in the basement if you disobey?"
Evelyn drained her glass.
"You're pathetic! Keeping his identity secret then letting him push you around? You deserve each other!"
Sophie was equal parts furious and heartbroken watching her strong-willed friend become so submissive.
The black sedan picked Evelyn up from campus precisely at four.
Twenty minutes later, it glided to a stop outside the Philharmonic Hall.
Evelyn's head spun as the bodyguard escorted her inside. "Dominic... is taking me to a concert?"