Chapter 65
Before Dominic could enter the living room, Evelyn swiftly retreated to her bedroom.
Eleanor Blackwood gasped for air, her chest tightening painfully, yet the mere sight of her son brought instant relief.
"Dominic...my darling boy..." Eleanor weakly extended her trembling hand toward him. Dominic rushed to her side and grasped it firmly.
"You must divorce Evelyn Thorne...tomorrow...file the papers..." Tears streamed down Eleanor's face as she spoke. "Forgive me...my son...I was blind...I chose such a tainted woman for you..."
Dominic gently wiped his mother's tears away with his thumb. "Stay out of matters between Evelyn and me, Mother. And cease concerning yourself with Julian."
"Julian lost a finger...the pain must be unbearable! He claims you did it, but I know that can't be true...you'd never harm family..." Eleanor's voice cracked with emotion.
"One more word about this nonsense," Dominic's expression darkened dangerously, "and I'll have the driver return you home immediately. I won't divorce Evelyn. Unless I choose to, no one can force me."
Eleanor drew a shuddering breath. "Have you fallen for her? For her...you'd betray your own nephew's entire family?"
Dominic released his mother's hand abruptly. Turning to the estate driver, he commanded, "Take my mother home."
Without another glance, he strode toward the staircase.
Eleanor watched her son's retreating figure, hot tears spilling uncontrollably.
How could he be so cruel?
This was all Evelyn Thorne's doing!
Her Dominic had never been this heartless before!
That woman's arrival had shattered the bond between uncle and nephew, causing this entire disaster.
Evelyn sat propped against her headboard, neck arched slightly backward.
Her cheek burned where Eleanor had struck her, but the deeper ache pulsed in her chest.
The bruise would fade in days, yet this heartache might never fully heal.
Even if she believed herself recovered, some future trigger could resurrect fragments of that terrible night.
At precisely 8:00 AM, Dominic sat at the breakfast table.
Suddenly, he turned to Mrs. Wilkins. "Summon Evelyn downstairs."
The housekeeper hurried to the guest suite but returned moments later, visibly flustered.
"Madam Evelyn isn't in her room. Perhaps she stepped out. Let me check with the gate," Mrs. Wilkins informed Dominic before rushing to the front courtyard. She reappeared shortly, wringing her hands. "Madam Evelyn departed around six this morning. Shall I attempt to call her?"
Concern gnawed at Mrs. Wilkins.
Eleanor's slap hadn't been gentle.
Though Evelyn appeared delicate, she possessed fierce pride.
The housekeeper dialed but only heard the mechanical drone of a disconnected line.
"Her phone's switched off," Mrs. Wilkins murmured.
Evelyn vanishing at dawn with her phone deactivated...
Surely she wouldn't do anything drastic over a slap?
Physical pain shouldn't drive one to desperation—yet emotions could override reason.
Dominic's expression hardened as crystal as he set down his coffee cup and exited wordlessly.
Pausing in the grand foyer, he extracted his phone and contacted his assistant.
"Nathan, locate Clara Thorne's contact information immediately."
"Right away, sir," Nathan responded. Upon obtaining the number, Dominic dialed without hesitation. "The number you have reached is currently unavailable. Please try your call again later."
What fresh hell was this? Both Evelyn and her mother had vanished into communication blackout?