Chapter 500

In the dimly lit living room, Lily buried her face against Michael's chest, her small frame trembling with quiet sobs. "Dominic Blackwood never came," she whispered, her voice breaking. "We waited and waited...Mommy only found out he wasn't coming when she called him...She took us to another restaurant instead."

Michael tightened his arms around the little girl, his heart aching as he stroked her back. "Don't cry, sweetheart. This is all his fault! We'll never have dinner with him again!"

Tears streamed down Lily's cheeks as she nodded fiercely. "Yes! Never again! And I won't let Mommy eat with him either!"

"That's my brave girl," Michael murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead while silently cursing Dominic's name. While other children were celebrating Children's Day with laughter and joy, his precious ones were heartbroken at home.

That absolute bastard!

Dominic probably thought he'd just missed one dinner, but he had no idea the devastation he'd caused. Michael suggested taking them out to cheer them up, but both children shook their heads dejectedly.

After playing with them for a while, Michael helped the children get ready for bed. Normally, Lily would resist bedtime with all her might, but tonight she climbed obediently under the covers after her bath. Michael turned off the lights with a heavy heart and stepped into the hallway.

His gaze drifted toward Evelyn's bedroom door. She was likely still awake. As a pregnant woman, she shouldn't be bottling up her emotions. He needed to check on her.

Michael knocked softly before pushing the door open. Darkness greeted him, broken only by the hallway light spilling across the bed where Evelyn lay curled on her side, seemingly asleep. She never went to bed this early. Even if she was pretending, he wouldn't disturb her. Closing the door quietly, he returned to his own room.

His phone buzzed with messages from Nathan, inquiring about Evelyn's condition. Each notification only fueled Michael's frustration.

Michael: [Did your boss put you up to this? What kind of man sends his assistant to do his dirty work? Tell him to come see for himself if he's so concerned!]

Nathan: [Can we talk?]

Michael: [Not in the mood! I can't believe Evelyn ever got involved with such scum!]

When Nathan called anyway, Michael answered with a growl. "Look outside...I think my boss might be there," Nathan said carefully. "His bodyguard mentioned a major accident caused traffic delays. Otherwise he wouldn't have been late."

"Is that supposed to excuse everything?" Michael snapped. "He told me everything. This is about Zoe Montgomery."

"But he's already cut all ties with her!" Nathan insisted. "He's not letting Zoe treat Sophia anymore. I didn't mention it earlier because I thought it was the right thing to do."

Some of Michael's anger dissipated.

"Zoe called today about introducing a new specialist...Mr. Blackwood may not want Zoe involved anymore, but if there's any chance to help Sophia, he'll take it," Nathan pleaded. "Please just check outside. If he's there, could you let him in?"

Michael's jaw tightened. "No promises. Evelyn and the kids are asleep." As he spoke, he glanced out the window.

There, parked outside the gate like a shadow, was Dominic's sleek black car. Dominic himself stood motionless before the gate, his intense gaze fixed on Evelyn's darkened window, as still as the night itself.

If Nathan's story held truth, perhaps Dominic wasn't entirely beyond redemption. Not that it was Michael's place to decide - forgiveness was Evelyn's choice alone.

With a sigh, Michael opened the front door and approached the gate. At his movement, Dominic seemed to come alive, his posture straightening.

"You should go," Michael said through the wrought iron bars. "They're all asleep. Save your explanations for tomorrow."