Chapter 453

Evelyn's voice trembled as she called out, "Dominic, if I give you a child like we agreed... will you promise to stay away from me after that?"

She couldn't bear this entanglement any longer.

Dominic froze mid-step before turning with icy precision. "First deliver my child, then we'll negotiate terms."

The door slammed behind him with finality.

Lucas stood waiting in the hallway, concern etching his features. "Dominic, is everything alright?"

Evelyn heard every word. A familiar frustration bubbled up - that uncontrollable storm of emotions only he could provoke.

She collapsed onto the bed the moment their footsteps faded. After several steadying breaths, she reached for her phone and video-called Michael.

Michael answered instantly. "Evelyn! Have you eaten dinner?"

The screen showed him sitting with Henry and Lily in their living room. A shadow moved in the kitchen background before Michael quickly adjusted the camera angle.

"I have..." Evelyn's tension eased at the sight of her children. "Henry, Lily, what are you two doing?"

"We're doing puzzles! But Henry won't let me help. He says I'm ruining it." Lily pouted dramatically. "Mommy, Uncle Nathan cooked for us today!"

Michael groaned. "Lily! We had a deal!"

"But Mommy wouldn't be mad!" Lily countered with innocent defiance.

"Michael," Evelyn sighed, "did you forget about our security cameras? I saw Nathan's car in our driveway hours ago."

Lily burst into giggles. "Silly uncle!"

"Aren't you supposed to be relaxing on vacation? Why are checking security feeds?" Michael's brow furrowed. "Wait - are you in bed? What's going on? If you're just sleeping there, why even go—"

"An unexpected visitor arrived," Evelyn cut in, avoiding specifics.

Michael's eyes widened. "Don't tell me Dominic showed up? I thought he wasn't attending!"

"Let's not discuss him."

Michael carried the phone outside, unaware Nathan had followed until his face appeared beside Michael's.

"Evelyn, is he causing problems again? That absolute—"

"He wouldn't dare with so many witnesses," Evelyn assured.

"So he would without them?" Michael's voice rose an octave.

"Calm down. What happened last time won't repeat."

"How can I stay calm when he's—"

Nathan snatched the phone. "Evelyn, I've reviewed Mr. Blackwood's medical records myself. He's perfectly healthy - not unstable, just... uncompromising. He won't harm you if you avoid provoking him."

Nathan wasn't wrong. Dominic wasn't irrational - Evelyn simply lost all self-control around him.

It baffled her. Normally poised in every situation, she transformed into someone else entirely with Dominic. One cutting remark from him, and she'd return tenfold.

"Nathan, I didn't provoke him today," Evelyn admitted awkwardly. "Thank you for cooking for the children."

"My pleasure. When Michael mentioned your bodyguard took leave today..."

Evelyn's lips twitched. "The bodyguard didn't request leave, did he? This was your scheme, Michael?"

'???' Michael thought, 'Must you expose me so bluntly?'

The call ended with Evelyn smiling - until the doorknob twisted abruptly. The door swung open before she could react...