Chapter 156

Dominic stood outside the nightclub, dialing Evelyn's number. "I'm at the entrance."

"You'll see me when I come out." Her voice was breathless. "Give me two minutes."

The call ended. Evelyn quickly changed clothes and rushed toward the exit.

A sleek black Range Rover dominated the prime parking spot in front of the club.

"Get in."

Dominic's large hand discreetly guided her waist while his other opened the car door. His fingers instinctively shielded her head as she entered, preventing any collision with the doorframe.

Evelyn buckled her seatbelt with trembling fingers, avoiding eye contact.

After finishing his cigarette, Dominic crushed it in the ashtray near the club entrance. His dark eyes narrowed against the night breeze before he slid into the driver's seat.

She bit her lip. Part of her wanted to urge him to hurry, to ask why he wasn't more concerned about Isabella's eye injury. But fear kept her silent.

The drive from downtown to Walter and Margaret's suburban villa would take ninety minutes without traffic.

Dominic focused on the road, his silence oppressive.

Evelyn didn't dare speak. The only sound was the hum of the engine.

At a red light near Third Ring Road, her phone shattered the quiet.

She fumbled for it. Harrison Wells' name flashed on the screen.

Her stomach dropped. This could only mean one thing - their inevitable breakup conversation.

She'd already endured his mother's cruel words earlier in the subway.

Evelyn rejected the call.

Thirty seconds later, it rang again.

Another rejection.

This pattern repeated four times before Dominic's deep voice cut through the tension. "Secret calls I shouldn't hear?"

The light turned green.

"Nothing concerning you." She finally answered. "Hello?"

"Finally." Harrison's voice held quiet accusation. "Did my mother contact you?"

"Yes." Evelyn stared at the passing streetlights. Happy couples strolled the sidewalks, their laughter floating through the night air. When had she last laughed like that?

"I'm sorry..." A long pause. "Whatever she said... I apologize."

Evelyn rested her forehead against the cool window. "No need." The words tasted bitter. She remembered Mrs. Wells' venomous accusations about her being a gold-digger.

"Evelyn, I believe you're a good person... But between us..." Harrison struggled. "Money doesn't come easy for me. I've been burned before. I have to protect myself."

Her lips twisted. So he agreed with his mother - just phrased it politely.

"I understand. Goodbye." No explanation would change their minds. Better to end this cleanly.

After hanging up, Evelyn closed her eyes. In the darkness behind her lids, she conjured images of Alexander and Isabella's smiling faces.

Life had taken much from her, but given her these two miracles. That was enough.

"Trouble?" Dominic's voice startled her. "Need my help?"

"No, thank you." She kept her tone polite yet distant. If she wanted to be near her children, she had to tolerate him.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. When they reached the villa, Dominic parked at the entrance.

He exited first, waiting as Evelyn unbuckled. When she moved to open her door, he circled the car to do it for her.

The domesticity of the moment - parents arriving to collect their children - sent an unexpected warmth through Dominic. He enjoyed playing this role more than he'd admit.

The doorbell echoed through the grand foyer.

Evelyn suddenly remembered and dug through her bag. "Almost forgot." She handed Dominic his wallet.

He took it, studying her profile. But her attention was already fixed on the villa door, desperate to see the twins.

Margaret, who took pride in managing household tasks personally, answered.

"Master Dominic." She used his childhood title, then froze upon seeing Evelyn. Though they'd met briefly in the subway, this sudden appearance clearly shocked her.

"Come in." Margaret recovered, though her gaze kept darting between them.

"Thank you." Evelyn hurried inside, heart pounding.

Margaret watched the scene unfold - the mother scooping up Isabella, the father gathering the children's belongings. The answer became clear.

If these two could reconcile and give those babies a complete family... Margaret smiled. Perhaps fate had finally shown them mercy.