Chapter 489

What if Sophie hadn't been there when Dominic collapsed outside Evelyn's gates? The thought sent chills down her spine.

That evening, after hours of internal debate, Evelyn finally made up her mind to visit the Blackwood estate.

"I'll drive you," Michael offered, following her out the door.

Evelyn shook her head. "I'm just going to see Sophia. I won't be long."

"Cut the crap! If it was really about Sophia, you'd just call her. She has a phone now, remember?" Michael's blunt callout made Evelyn stop pretending.

"Fine. But I'm driving myself."

"Are you insane? You're pregnant! I'm not letting you drive alone at night. Dominic would have my head if anything happened!" Michael argued.

"Here's the deal - you drive me there but stay in the car. No coming inside."

Evelyn slid into the driver's seat anyway and rolled down the window. "It's still light out. Take the kids to the park. I'll be back before dark."

As she drove off, Michael threw his hands up in frustration. That bastard Dominic might be the worst, but he was still the man Evelyn chose.

No matter how much she denied it, her body always betrayed her true feelings.

Dominic hadn't returned to the Blackwood mansion since last night.

When Mrs. Wilkins heard he'd been hospitalized, she couldn't bring herself to report the household troubles.

No one dared disturb Dominic's hospital rest.

Evelyn's unexpected arrival startled the housekeeper.

"Avery—I mean, Evelyn! You should've called ahead," Mrs. Wilkins forced a smile. "Have you eaten? I can prepare something."

"I'm fine," Evelyn said. "I came to see Sophia."

The smile vanished from Mrs. Wilkins' face.

After the bodyguard brought Sophia home last night, she'd woken screaming from nightmares. By morning, she'd developed a fever. The family doctor came, but she remained delirious, muttering nonsense.

Both Mrs. Whitaker and Mrs. Wilkins were at their wits' end.

Without Dominic's explicit orders, no one dared contact Zoe Montgomery.

Everyone knew Dominic wanted nothing to do with her.

And with each surgery costing $155 million... who would risk that without authorization?

"Is Sophia not here?" Evelyn asked, noticing the housekeeper's odd expression.

Mrs. Wilkins led Evelyn to Sophia's room. "She fell ill last night and hasn't recovered," she fretted. "The bodyguard said something triggered her during their outing. She was improving, but apparently can't handle sudden changes."

Evelyn frowned. She'd come to thank Sophia.

When Henry returned from his trial day at Metropolitan University's elite program, he'd begged to continue attending. Evelyn could see how much he loved it.

Without Sophia taking him to that coding competition, he might still be at Mooncrest Academy, living an ordinary life.

She'd never realized her son was a genius. Sophia had changed everything.

Just as Evelyn reached for the door, a bodyguard rushed upstairs. "Miss Montgomery is here! She says Mr. Blackwood sent her for Miss Sophia!"