Chapter 166

Dominic didn't refuse his mother.

He genuinely needed this chance to mend things with his father.

Compared to his dad, Dominic believed he should be the one to compromise.

The truth was, his father never stayed angry at him for long. Every outburst was just surface-level—within minutes, he'd soften.

His promise to take his parents to a movie or play dated back over five years.

To prison.

Whenever his parents visited, guards would escort him out in handcuffs and prison garb.

Sitting across from them, Dominic saw how much they'd aged. His throat tightened. Words failed him.

He'd never been one for long conversations with them.

That day, his mother's sobs echoed through the thick glass. "Son, don't lose hope in there... When you get out, just be better. Don't break the law again. Your father and I still love you. After your release, listen to us—settle down, start a family. We'll be together again, live peacefully..."

Her words blurred between tears, but one thing stuck: "If you ever want to make it up to us, just take us to a movie or play. That's all we ask."

Back then, Dominic had sat motionless, numb. Yet it stunned him—their expectations were so simple.

Being a good son was that easy. Just a movie. A play.

And in twenty years before prison, he'd never done it.

Now, driving freely down the street, his mother's call brought it all back.

Three tickets to a play.

Five years later, it was time to keep his promise.

At the hospital, Evelyn didn’t let Dominic and the twins enter Grandpa’s room.

She’d already told Grandpa they weren’t a match. Showing up together now would raise questions.

After lunch, she excused herself, grabbing the laptop she’d left at the hospital yesterday.

Just in case Abigail needed her.

Grandpa waved her off, signaling she should go.

Outside, the black Range Rover waited.

As she approached, Dominic appeared—cigarette in hand—and took her laptop. He opened the car door for her.

"What’s for lunch?" he asked before she could thank him.

Evelyn glanced back. "Let Alexander and Isabella decide."

Dominic nodded, playing the dutiful husband.

The kids would choose.

While he drove, Evelyn scrolled through high-end restaurants on her phone, letting the twins pick from the backseat.

Alexander set down his game console, studying the options with his sister. Isabella blinked sleepily, her dark lashes fluttering.

"Decided yet?" Evelyn turned to ask.

Alexander frowned at the screen. "Not yet."

"Take your time." She had the whole day for them.

Then Olivia’s texts popped up:

1) Mom came to the office. Just sent her away. Thank God you weren’t here—she’d have dragged you into it. She never takes responsibility for anything.

2) She talked to a lawyer. Nathan might get over a year in prison. Sigh.

3) Weirdly, I’m not even upset. Just craving a burrito. Does that make me heartless, Ev? He needs this wake-up call.

The twins zeroed in on one word: burrito.

Alexander perked up. "Aunt Ev, what’s a burrito?"

Evelyn blinked. "A burrito?"

She checked her phone—none of the upscale places she’d picked would serve that.

Not with Dominic there.

Men like him didn’t do casual dining.

"Have you two... ever had one?" She already knew the answer.

"No," they chimed.

If they’d grown up with her instead, things would’ve been different.

The wealth gap was staggering.

Now they wanted burritos. But she had to ask Dominic.

She typed: Kids want burritos. Okay?

Sent.

Waited.

Dominic kept driving.

Two minutes passed.

"I think your phone buzzed," she hinted.

He hadn’t heard it but checked anyway.

A chuckle. His reply came fast:

Whatever you want.