Chapter 82

If given a second chance, Dominic wouldn't alter a single moment.

He was far from flawless.

Evelyn's arrival in his life had forced him to scrutinize his own actions, to question and refine them.

Without their endless clashes and miscommunications, his feelings for her wouldn't have taken such deep root in his heart.

Sophie caught up to Evelyn outside the restaurant, gripping her arm urgently.

"I can't believe you're married to Dominic Blackwood! This is explosive news!" Sophie gasped, her head spinning from the evening's revelations.

Evelyn, however, felt like a stone had lodged itself in her throat.

"You saw how he was. He's just toying with me."

"Adrian said he only wanted to help but was too proud to admit it," Sophie countered.

She didn't think the situation warranted such a dramatic reaction from Evelyn.

"Come back inside, Evelyn! Let him explain—"

Evelyn pulled free from Sophie's grasp, her voice icy and resolute. "You go ahead. I need to be alone."

She flagged down a cab and vanished into the night.

As Sophie turned to re-enter the restaurant, Dominic strode out, his steps quick and purposeful, as if he'd decided to chase after Evelyn.

Sophie pointed down the street. "She took a cab that way."

Dominic gave a curt nod of thanks before rushing toward the parking lot.

Adrian emerged moments later, his expression accusatory as he approached Sophie.

"You're a traitor."

Sophie's cheeks flushed, but she lifted her chin defiantly. "I've known Evelyn for years. Of course I'm on her side."

"I bet you only dated me to dig for information," Adrian scoffed.

"Exactly!" Sophie shot back without hesitation. "Now that I've got what I needed, we can either keep this going or end it here. It's not like we've known each other long. Might as well cut ties before things get messy."

Adrian inhaled sharply, struggling to find the right words.

He wasn't ready to let her go, but he refused to let her see how much he wanted her to stay.

"You're not breaking up with me until Dominic and Evelyn sort things out," he bargained. "You started this mess—you fix it."

"How is this my fault? I wasn't the one who lied to her!" Sophie protested.

"Didn't you notice she wore makeup tonight? She never bothered before. She did it for him," Adrian argued. "They'd be fine if you hadn't interfered!"

Sophie almost wavered under his absurd reasoning.

"Dominic treats her well. Wouldn't you be moved if a man paid off all your debts?" Adrian pressed.

Sophie hesitated, then sighed. "Maybe. But Evelyn isn't irrational. She has her reasons for being this upset. I still stand with her."

Adrian dragged a hand through his hair in frustration.

Sophie grabbed his arm. "As my boyfriend, you should be on my side! They're like a wolf and a lamb. Why feel sorry for the predator?"

Adrian had no rebuttal.

"I'm starving. Let's eat," Sophie declared, tugging him back into the restaurant.

Evelyn had taken the cab to her mother's house.

She had nowhere else to go.

When Clara saw her daughter's ashen face and hollow expression, she immediately pulled her inside and guided her to the sofa.

"What happened? Did you fight with Dominic?"

If it weren't for him, Evelyn would still be at Blackwood Manor, no matter how upset she was—not here, seeking refuge in her childhood home.