Chapter 178
Evelyn moved briskly around the compact kitchen.
The cheerful sounds of Alexander and Isabella playing in the living room reached her ears. Suddenly, Isabella's small yelp cut through the air, followed by silence.
Abandoning the vegetables, Evelyn hurried out. She knelt beside the little girl, gently pulling her hand away from her eye. "What happened, sweetheart?"
"I poked my eye by accident," Isabella sniffled, rubbing at the offended spot.
She'd made Aunt Evelyn worry!
"Does it hurt? Tell me if it does." Evelyn's voice softened as she leaned closer, her warm breath fluttering over the child's eyelid.
Isabella beamed instantly. "It doesn't hurt when you blow on it!"
Seeing the girl's genuine relief, Evelyn smiled and ruffled her hair. "Why don't you go do your homework with Alexander? Dinner will be ready soon."
The little girl nodded eagerly.
Alexander retrieved his schoolbag, fishing out pencils and workbooks with practiced ease. Soon both children were bent over their assignments at the small table.
Starved for maternal affection, the twins lived in constant fear of displeasing their beloved Aunt Evelyn. Their survival strategy was simple - be as obedient and endearing as possible.
Content with their diligence, Evelyn returned to her cooking.
Normally, kitchen chores brought her no joy. But preparing meals for Alexander and Isabella? That filled her with unexpected happiness.
"Need any help?" Dominic's deep voice rumbled behind her.
Barefoot after removing her heels, Evelyn's 5'4" frame seemed tiny compared to Dominic's imposing 6'2" stature. She started to refuse when his long fingers plucked the potato from her grasp.
Anyone who knew Dominic Blackwood would assume the eligible billionaire enjoyed a glamorous nightlife.
Socialites, heiresses, influencers - they'd all throw themselves at T Corporation's powerful CEO.
To accurately depict his evenings, one would imagine him surrounded by stunning women.
Otherwise, what would be the point?
Yet here he stood - the nation's top architect, head of T Corporation's design directors - peeling potatoes in a modest 60-square-foot rental kitchen.
Even Evelyn, far from being one of his starry-eyed admirers, couldn't hide her surprise.
"I should probably handle this," she said, watching him instead of continuing with the other vegetables. Seeing the mighty Dominic Blackwood performing such a mundane task felt... wrong.
"I'm bringing my whole family to eat at your place. Wouldn't want you complaining about my lack of help." His focus remained on the stubborn potato.
Perhaps the vegetable rebelled against its unskilled handler - it slipped suddenly, the peeler slicing Dominic's finger instead.
Evelyn's eyes widened. First aid kit or running water? She hesitated between the two options.
"Careful! I told you I'd do it." Frowning, she directed him to rinse the wound while she fetched the medical supplies.
The water washed away the initial blood, only for fresh crimson to well up immediately.
Evelyn applied antibiotic ointment with care before smoothing a bandage over the cut.
Dominic didn't flinch once. His gaze remained fixed on the petite woman fussing over him, her warm scolding washing over him like an unexpected comfort.
Only when she finished did Evelyn realize she'd been rambling. The air between them grew thick with unspoken tension.
"I should start cooking. The stove's old - the ventilation isn't great." She turned on the exhaust fan without looking back, her indirect dismissal clear.
Instead of leaving, Dominic lit a cigarette, his eyes tracing her movements as she cooked. He couldn't seem to look away.
The cramped kitchen forced them into close quarters. When Evelyn turned to grab spices from the mini-fridge, she found herself face-to-face with swirling smoke and Dominic's intense stare.
She quickly returned to stirring the vegetables. "It's too small in here. You should wait outside."
"The smoke might bother the children." Using their wellbeing as an excuse, he remained planted by the stove - the perfect smoking spot, apparently.
Evelyn bit back the retort on her tongue: Then stay in the kitchen forever.
Dinner was a lavish spread.
Carrying dishes to the table, Evelyn felt her cheeks burning. The kitchen's heat must have gotten to her.
The children sat between the adults at the small table - a stark contrast to the Crawfords' usual silent meals.
Tonight, no one spoke.
As they finished, Alexander set down his fork shyly. "Aunt Evelyn... can we stay here tonight?"
Evelyn's heart leapt. She wanted nothing more than to have them with her every night.
But their father's permission was required.
Dominic stood, regarding his children. "Behave. Don't trouble Aunt Evelyn."
"Yay! Thank you, Daddy!" Alexander jumped up excitedly. "Can you take us to buy new pajamas first?"
Evelyn mentally kicked herself. She'd remembered groceries and slippers, but pajamas had slipped her mind.
Perhaps Sebastian could bring some from Blackwood Manor in the morning.
As Dominic retrieved his suit jacket, he turned back with an apologetic look. "I have business tonight. You'll take them?"
After a pause, Evelyn nodded silently.
After dinner, she cleared the table quietly with the children's help. Though reluctant to let them assist, she didn't want to reject their kindness. Alexander carried spoons; Isabella took the forks.
Dominic lingered with his jacket, frowning at Evelyn's subdued mood. She'd been distracted since picking up the children after work, and his announcement about leaving seemed to upset her further.
Did she want him to stay?
He couldn't think of another excuse.
"Remember - no running around when you're out with Aunt Evelyn. Shower before bed. I'm leaving now." The twins blinked up at him before watching him go.
Dominic glanced back at the kitchen, where Evelyn stood washing dishes with her back to him.
Was this woman... angry with him?