Chapter 121

Evelyn stared at the glass of water, her throat inexplicably parched.

Dominic had kissed her relentlessly through the night, leaving her lips swollen and dry.

She grabbed the glass and drank greedily. Setting it down, she swung her legs off the bed.

As she moved toward the bathroom, a sudden thought made her pause. She turned—

Before she could ask about her clothes, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His other hand tangled in her hair as he crushed his mouth to hers.

She fought him, her fingers scrabbling at his arms—then froze.

Something wet. Sticky.

She looked down. Blood smeared her fingertips.

His dark robe hid the stain well, but now that she saw it, the metallic scent filled her nostrils.

His kisses grew wilder, trailing from her lips to her throat. Her hands trembled, stained crimson.

A hollow ache spread through Evelyn's chest.

He was insane. Desperately, helplessly insane.

His mouth moved lower, branding her skin.

Then he shoved her onto the mattress.

She stared up at him, eyes wide with despair. A silent plea shimmered in their depths.

"Why stop now? Had your fill?" Her voice cracked.

Dominic's chest heaved. He knelt over her, gaze icy. "I'll never get enough of you."

His hand clamped around her ankle, yanking her legs up.

She cried out as he pinned them beside her head.

Humiliation burned through her. No escape.

His robe fell open.

Her breath hitched at the sight of him—hard, demanding.

"Want revenge on Nathan?" Dominic snarled. "Using me to hurt him?" He thrust into her without warning.

Evelyn gasped, teeth clenched. Her body shook. "Just finish it. You always take what you want anyway."

Last night's betrayal still haunted her. She'd been so careful—never accepting drinks, keeping her distance.

Yet here she was.

Exhaustion weighed her down.

All she wanted was her father's health, her grandfather's smile, a normal life.

But normalcy was a luxury she'd never have.

For the first time, death seemed peaceful. An end to the torment.

Though hell surely awaited her after what she'd done with Beatrice.

"Get out." The words were rough, final.

The weight lifted as Dominic stood. He stalked to the bathroom. "Never come back."

Alone, he lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around his clenched jaw.

Memories tormented him—her pliant body beneath his hands, so different from her defiant wakefulness.

He finally understood: stolen pleasure held no sweetness.

He wanted her willing.

Evelyn hadn't expected to leave unscathed. Not with his volatility.

Dominic emerged minutes later, ignoring her as he stepped onto the balcony.

She searched for her clothes, only to find them soaked. Spotting a plastic bag, she stuffed them inside.

The pajamas would have to do. She belted the robe tightly, ensuring no skin showed.

At least it covered more than her ruined dress.

Shoes in hand, she fled.

The slam of the door jolted Alexander awake.

"Aunt Evelyn?" He bolted up, finding his father on the balcony, grip white-knuckled on the railing.

That pose meant trouble.

Great-grandfather's words echoed in his mind: When Grandpa died, Daddy didn't cry. How could he? Grandpa had two wives—Grandma Beatrice the mistress, Grandma Margaret the betrayed.

Daddy's life was tangled in their mess.

Love and hate warred inside him.

Great-grandfather said Uncle Julian shouldn't blame Daddy—he hadn't chosen his birth.

Alexander often overheard family fights.

"Without Dominic, the companies would've crumbled under your incompetence!" Great-grandfather had shouted at Grandma Margaret. "Julian's too soft for business!"

"The Crawfords owe me!" she'd screamed back. "Especially Beatrice and her bastard!"

"Dominic owes you nothing!" Great-grandfather's voice broke. "I know what you did! That 'accident' when he was in high school? The hitman warned Beatrice instead. My grandson lived by miracle!"

Alexander carried these secrets like stones. Each day, his heart ached more for Daddy.

He wanted Daddy to marry Aunt Evelyn—to end the lonely dinners, the chain-smoking, the hollow silence.

When Dominic returned, Alexander studied him.

"Daddy... Aunt Evelyn left, didn't she?" The boy trailed him anxiously.

Dominic shut the bathroom door on the chatter.

But something caught Alexander's eye—a small box on the floor.

He picked it up, squinting at the label. "Le-vo-nor-gest-rel? Emergency contraception..."

Frowning, he pushed the door open. "Daddy, is this yours or Aunt Evelyn's?"