Chapter 106

Evelyn Sinclair was desperate to escape Dominic Blackwood's presence. She hastily arranged a blind date, seriously considering marriage to a man she barely knew but thought might be tolerable.

Dominic's fury erupted uncontrollably. His piercing gaze locked onto her. "Am I just some disposable toy? Is this how you choose to discard me?"

Under his intense stare, Evelyn's nerves frayed. She shook her head, fabricating lies. "You're not disposable... but someone like you was never what I truly wanted. I only used you to soothe my wounded pride. After getting revenge on Nathan, my conscience won't let me continue. Unless..." Her voice trembled. "Unless you're content being my puppet forever?"

To Evelyn, Dominic had become far more than just a means to an end.

They'd shared meals, worked side by side. Though professionalism prevented public displays of affection between employer and employee, she'd cherished their stolen moments.

Yet now she forced herself toward other men, deliberately seeking a suitable replacement. This painful charade served dual purposes - convincing both Dominic and herself that their relationship had no future.

"If you've already started using me," Dominic's voice dropped dangerously low, "why not continue for a lifetime?"

His words carried the weight of a solemn vow.

"A lifetime is too long," Evelyn countered bitterly. "Meeting the wrong person is more terrifying than lifelong solitude - your own words to me. I know my flaws better than your idealized version of me. If we married, would I become your trophy wife? What if Nathan makes another demand and I betray you? What if I sleep with him for revenge against his mistress?" A single tear escaped as she spoke.

She exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to wipe the tear away, painfully aware of the watching grandfathers nearby.

Despite her efforts, more tears fell. Though they stemmed from heartbreak over ending things with Dominic, her words told a different story: "Even now, remembering my five-year relationship with Nathan being stolen still burns. If she took my boyfriend, shouldn't I take her husband?"

Evelyn's eyes reddened as she delivered this final performance.

Yet even if the entire world believed her act, Dominic never would.

"I'll let you take my grandfather to the hospital," she conceded stiffly. "But this is the last time." With a curt nod, she turned away.

Reginald Blackwood and Old Man Sinclair observed the tense exchange intently.

As Evelyn approached Dominic's car, she'd schooled her features into careful neutrality. Old Man Sinclair, seeing his granddaughter enter the car without visible distress, assumed their quarrel couldn't be too serious.

"Leaving now, Blackwood!" Old Man Sinclair called cheerfully as Dominic joined them in the vehicle.

"Get well soon," Reginald Blackwood smiled warmly. "Then have Dominic bring you back for our chess matches." He waved until the black Range Rover disappeared from view.

During the hospital trip, Evelyn focused obsessively on her phone, avoiding Dominic entirely.

Noticing this, her grandfather chided gently, "Evelyn, don't be so cold. Forgive her, Dominic - she's always been temperamental."

Dominic's eyes flicked to them in the rearview mirror. "It's fine," he replied evenly.

Evelyn was actually messaging a classmate about the blind date arrangement.

At their recent reunion, she'd reconnected with several former classmates on social media - those she deemed decent people.

Days after the event, group chats buzzed with activity, including one classmate's insistence on setting her up.

Evelyn dared not reveal her involvement with Dominic, fearing their shock. She'd initially demurred, claiming work left no time for dating.

Now, she'd make time - no matter what.

Last night, she'd finally messaged her classmate about meeting the proposed match.

Since then, her phone hadn't stopped buzzing with praises about the man.

'I'd never set you up with someone unworthy. He's my boyfriend's close friend - perpetually single, excellent lifestyle, wonderful temperament. Why haven't I introduced him to others? Because those girls would just take advantage of his kindness!' the classmate gushed.

'Thank you,' Evelyn replied mechanically. 'I'll consider him seriously after we meet.'

'My pleasure! Nothing brings me more joy than seeing two quality people unite,' came the enthusiastic response.

Evelyn stared blankly at the meeting details saved on her phone, mentally retreating.

She deliberately ignored Dominic's presence, forcibly redirecting her thoughts to Beatrice Lockwood's face whenever memories of him surfaced.

This painful reminder reinforced why their relationship couldn't continue.

Dominic pulled up at Silver Hospital's entrance.

Lost in thought, Evelyn had forgotten to specify their destination. Yet Dominic had anticipated this, deliberately avoiding Paramount Hospital.

"Thank you for bringing us," Evelyn said stiffly while helping her grandfather exit. She avoided Dominic's gaze, seeing only confusion reflected there.

"I have commitments," Dominic said curtly. "I won't accompany you inside."

"Understood." Evelyn nodded, guiding her grandfather toward the hospital entrance without looking back.

Dominic drove away immediately.

The sound of departing tires marked Evelyn's resolve to erase their brief relationship from memory and start anew.

Registration, examinations, and waiting for results consumed half their day.

By early afternoon, Evelyn returned her seemingly healthy grandfather to her apartment.

"Just some bloody phlegm," the old man muttered guiltily. "The cancer's gone - surely it's nothing serious..."

Evelyn didn't believe he'd feigned illness.

"Grandfather, I'll return to make dinner. I have errands now - will you be alright alone?" She knew she couldn't constantly hover between work, social obligations, and caretaking.

Perhaps later, with more savings, she could hire help.

At least while her grandfather remained mobile and lucid, caregivers couldn't easily take advantage.

"Go on," he waved her off, settling comfortably before the television.

Reassured, Evelyn departed.

Her phone rang as she reached the street.

An unknown number.

"Evelyn Sinclair speaking," she answered.

"Ms. Sinclair! Come quickly! Young Master Alexander has had an accident!" The nanny's panicked voice pierced through.