Chapter 463

Dominic moved toward the living area and paused, waiting for Evelyn to join him.

"Do we have more to discuss?" She edged toward the staircase, desperate to retreat upstairs.

Her fingers curled around the banister.

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"Planning to sleep?" His gaze traced her slender silhouette as his defenses crumbled.

"Yes. But we can talk first if you insist."

Evelyn remained rooted by the stairs, putting distance between them. His scent alone sent waves of pain through her—so achingly familiar, yet their hearts now separated by an impassable gulf.

"Go rest." He sank onto the sofa. "I'll leave shortly."

"Oh..." She averted her eyes and ascended without another word.

The moment Evelyn disappeared upstairs, Dominic surged to his feet. A harsh realization struck him—how blindly self-absorbed he'd been. He'd never truly comprehended her desires. He'd convinced himself he'd given her everything, resenting her rejection, when in truth, he'd offered all the wrong things.

Thirty minutes later, certain she'd fallen asleep, he dialed his private physician.

"Congratulations on fatherhood, Mr. Blackwood," the doctor greeted.

The hospital Evelyn visited belonged to Dominic's medical network.

"Is there any remedy for morning sickness?" His voice tightened.

"None," came the frank reply. "She must endure it. Symptoms typically ease between twelve to sixteen weeks. Since Miss Thorne is only eight weeks along, relief won't come for another month."

"She's wasting away to nothing." Dominic's fists clenched.

"That severe? IV nutrients are an option if she can't keep food down. As a doctor herself, she knows this—unless she's considering termination..."

"She is."

"What? Why?"

"She despises me." A weighted pause. "But I won't let her discard this child."

"Pregnancy hormones amplify emotions. Her rejection may stem from pain, not true intent. She needs patient care now more than ever."

"She refuses to see me."

"Then... perhaps distance is wisest temporarily."

"Impossible." His decision was absolute.

Upstairs, Evelyn changed into soft cotton pajamas but lay wide-eyed, sleep evading her.

He's still here. What's he doing down there? I can't decipher his thoughts anymore.

Does he want this child to be a father, or just to control me?

If I surrender our baby to him after birth, could he even raise it? His temper is volatile—how could I ever trust him with something so precious?

The whirlwind of thoughts threatened to split her skull.

Then—footsteps.

Her eyelids snapped shut.

The door creaked open. Dominic's presence filled the room as he approached.

She expected a brief check, but the mattress dipped under his weight.

Not just sitting.

Lying down beside her.