Chapter 108

Isabella gasped when she heard the nanny's words. She rushed to hug Evelyn, her tiny hands trembling. "What do we do? Daddy's home."

The nanny wrung her hands nervously, casting pleading glances at Evelyn.

"Tell him I brought it," Evelyn said firmly.

"Thank you, Ms. Sinclair. My boys are still in school—I can't lose this job." The nanny glanced toward the hallway, her fingers twisting in her apron.

Evelyn nodded.

The scent of instant mac and cheese filled the kitchen. There was no hiding it now. Even if she tossed it, Dominic would know.

Might as well own it.

Dominic Blackwood had been raised with silver-cutlery standards. Even during his time in the countryside, he'd never touched processed food.

Wealthy kids lived by different rules.

His lingering feelings for her were a mess—one that wouldn't clear until she married someone else. Stubbornness kept him holding on.

Evelyn didn’t understand his obsession. Maybe it was just novelty.

If a man who despised junk food saw her feeding it to his kids, surely he’d snap. Rage. Realize how beneath him she truly was.

Alexander sat on the bed, engrossed in his handheld console. His little fingers mashed buttons triumphantly.

"Broke your leg?"

A deep voice cut through the room.

Alexander jerked his head up. The console nearly slipped from his grip.

It was a gift from Uncle Julian. If it broke, Daddy wouldn’t replace it.

Games were "a waste of time," according to Dominic.

He lunged to save the device, clutching it protectively before shutting it off.

Dominic loomed over the bed, his gaze dropping to the cast on his son’s leg. "Why the stunt?"

"I... I wanted to see Aunt Evelyn."

"So you jumped?" Dominic’s jaw tightened. Julian’s call had sent his heart into his throat—until he learned the fall mats made it harmless.

Alexander ducked his head. "I’m sorry, Daddy."

"Next time, use your words." Dominic ruffled his hair before turning away.

The nanny hurried out of the kitchen as Dominic approached. "Mr. Blackwood."

He nodded, his attention locked on Evelyn.

She was scooping mac and cheese into a heat-safe bowl, careful not to burn small hands.

When she turned, she nearly collided with him.

Awkwardness thickened the air. She’d left that morning—yet here she was, cooking junk food for his kids.

No good explanation existed.

"What’s this?" His gaze dropped to the bowl.

"Instant mac and cheese. Extra cheese." She took full blame.

The nanny hovered, torn between relief and dread. Would Mr. Blackwood rip into Ms. Sinclair?

Evelyn was young—fragile, even. How would she handle his temper?

The nanny would’ve crumbled already.

Then Dominic said, "Got enough for me? I’m hungry."

The nanny froze.

Had she misheard?

The man who treated junk food like poison—who banned it from his home—wanted some?

Evelyn blinked up at him, speechless.

She’d expected fury. Not... this.

Her throat went dry. She was on his turf now. One wrong move, and his temper could detonate.

Was this a trap?

"Daddy, there’s another pack!" Isabella piped up. If Daddy liked it, maybe he wouldn’t scold anyone. "Alexander and I can share. You can have your own."

Dominic eyed the bowl in Evelyn’s hands. "Give it to them. Then make mine."

Evelyn stood frozen before carrying the food to Alexander’s room.

The nanny set up a bed tray, murmuring warnings about hot food.

Evelyn patted the twins’ heads. "Eat slow."

Then she forced herself back toward the kitchen.

"Extra cheese," Dominic said before she entered.

Sunlight softened his sharp features, but anger still simmered in his eyes—leftover from their morning clash.

Evelyn exhaled and ripped open another packet.

A man like Dominic could have anyone. Why fixate on her?

The answer was obvious: he wanted what he couldn’t have.

She grabbed a clean bowl and boiled water.

Cheese powder bloomed in the air as she stirred.

The microwave hummed. Sixty seconds never felt so long.

Then his voice cut through the silence. "Why skip the blind date?"