Chapter 109
"I should get going. He's still at work." Evelyn spoke quickly, glancing at the microwave as it beeped.
Dominic stood a few steps behind her, his jaw tightening at the way she mentioned another man.
Someone new was entering her life.
Evelyn forced herself to focus on the mac and cheese, refusing to let her emotions spiral.
She followed the online recipe carefully.
After the timer went off, she added another packet of seasoning, stirred, and popped it back in for two more minutes.
When it finished, she mixed in the cheese and microwaved it one last time.
Dominic watched her, lost in a fantasy.
In his mind, they were newlyweds. She was his wife, rushing home at lunch just to cook for him.
Evelyn didn’t notice.
Her attention was fixed on the dish.
This wasn’t the usual instant version—she was making it properly.
When the final minute ended, she stirred the melted cheese gently.
As she worked, she suddenly felt him too close.
Uncomfortable, she reached for the bowl—and yanked her fingers back with a hiss.
"Where did you burn yourself?"
His hands closed around hers before she could react.
Evelyn twisted away. "It's fine. Not that hot."
Dominic frowned but released her.
The nanny winced, realizing she'd forgotten to give Evelyn oven mitts. She busied herself elsewhere, pretending not to notice.
Dominic grabbed a kitchen towel and pulled the bowl out himself.
"Transfer it to a different dish," Evelyn said, eyeing his hands—pale, strong, unbothered by the heat.
Her pulse skipped.
"The mac and cheese is done. If that’s all, I should leave."
She hurried to the bedroom, grabbed her bag, and said goodbye to the twins.
"Aunt Evie, you’re leaving already?" Alexander’s voice wobbled. "Did Daddy scare you off? I can lock him in his office!"
Evelyn smiled weakly. "He’s your father. I’m not family."
"Then become family! Marry Daddy so you can be our mom. Or—" He brightened. "Grandma can adopt you!"
Evelyn’s chest tightened.
Beatrice adopting her? Impossible. She was already her real mother—not that Beatrice would ever admit it.
And marrying Dominic? Equally impossible.
"Rest well. I’ll visit again soon." She forced a smile and left, her expression crumbling the second the door closed behind her.
She had to get out.
Every time she stepped into their world, she sank deeper. She needed to escape before it was too late.
Her Uber wasn’t here yet when her phone buzzed.
A message from her roommate: Just gave your Facebook to my boyfriend’s friend. He’ll add you—chat with him!
Evelyn replied with a simple Okay.
A friend request appeared moments later.
The guy’s profile picture showed a clean-cut man in glasses, a white T-shirt, and a light gray button-up. Mid-twenties.
Hey, this is Harrison.
Hello, I’m Evelyn.
...You seem down-to-earth.
Do I? Small talk with a stranger made her tense.
I can tell. I know a bit about psychoanalysis.
They messaged until her Uber arrived.
They’d planned dinner, but Harrison grew eager. When he learned she was free, he left work early to meet her.
Evelyn had no choice but to head straight to the café he’d chosen.
In the car, she steeled herself. If they clicked, she’d take this seriously. If he wasn’t picky, neither would she be.
Back at Blackwood Manor...
Alexander pushed his half-eaten mac and cheese away, miserable.
The nanny watched sadly. Most kids resisted stepmothers—but these two were begging for one.
As long as it was Aunt Evie.
Why couldn’t Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Evelyn make it work? The nanny didn’t dare guess. Maybe Evelyn knew she wouldn’t fit in their wealthy world. Maybe she feared being trapped in a loveless marriage.
If one wanted it and the other didn’t, that was that.
As she cleared the dishes, Dominic walked in. She stepped aside.
"Aunt Evie ran away because of you!" Alexander accused.
Dominic grabbed his car keys. "Aunt Evie’s busy. She’s on a blind date."
The twins exchanged looks.
"Blind date? What’s that?"
"It’s how you find a husband," Isabella explained. "Aunt Lily said she did it at Christmas."
Alexander scratched his head. "But what about Daddy?"
Isabella huffed. "Aunt Evie doesn’t like Daddy."
She glared at him for not trying harder.
Alexander wrestled off his fake cast, shoved on slippers, and bolted downstairs.
Dominic’s Range Rover was pulling out when the boy planted himself in front of it.
Eyes wide and pleading, Alexander pouted. "Daddy, bring Aunt Evie back. I waited five years to find someone I want as my mom. If you don’t get her, just run me over."