Chapter 180

Evelyn inhaled Dominic's crisp masculine scent. After several shaky breaths, she finally grounded herself back in reality.

"Bad dream?" Dominic's cool lips brushed against her forehead.

His large hand gently tucked her disheveled hair behind her ear. His gaze lingered on her pale complexion and tear-dampened lashes.

"I'm right here," he murmured. "Not going anywhere."

Relief flooded Evelyn's veins. That terrifying nightmare wasn't real.

The reality greeting her upon waking was infinitely better than the horror show her subconscious had conjured.

One hand clutched Dominic's solid waist while the other fisted his wrinkled dress shirt. His comforting words hovered on her tongue, but no sound emerged.

Silence blanketed the small bedroom.

After what felt like eternity, feeling returned to Evelyn's limbs. She slowly withdrew her hands from his body.

The shirt Dominic wore now bore the evidence of her distress in its creased fabric.

"Sorry," she whispered hoarsely. "I'll... I'll press it for you." Words failed her beyond this simple offer.

As she moved to rise, Dominic pulled her back against his chest. "Sleep," he commanded. "It's still early."

His warm breath fanned across her cheek, transforming the atmosphere between them into something unexpectedly intimate.

Perhaps it was the unseasonably warm weather. Or Dominic's radiating body heat. But the air around Evelyn grew cozy, lulling her back toward sleep.

Since turning eighteen, she'd rarely allowed herself the luxury of sleeping in.

Dominic's presence offered a security she couldn't deny. In these quiet moments, she sometimes wished she didn't have to let go.

She chalked it up to sleep-addled thinking. Just this once, she'd permit herself to cling to him.

Her fluttering lashes stilled. The frantic pace of her breathing gradually evened out.

This time, no nightmares disturbed her slumber.

The bedroom's queen-sized bed wasn't designed for two adults - especially not one with Dominic's towering frame. His long legs dangled awkwardly off the edge.

When sharing this bed with five-year-old Isabella, Evelyn barely moved, terrified of accidentally crushing the child.

Though exhausted, Dominic remained awake.

He'd worked in his office until 5 AM. The empty morning streets meant he'd reached the rented apartment by 5:30.

Using the spare key, he'd first checked on his son.

The boy slept soundly, one leg kicked free from the blankets, emitting soft snores.

After re-covering Alexander, Dominic had moved to Evelyn's room.

Isabella slept more neatly than her brother, barely shifting positions throughout the night.

He'd been about to leave when restless movements from the bed caught his attention. Evelyn thrashed beneath the sheets, face glistening with sweat, features twisted in distress.

Dominic approached, unsure what horrors plagued her dreams, and attempted to wake her.

Evelyn mumbled incoherently, trapped in her nightmare.

Eventually, Dominic lay beside her, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her forehead, hoping to provide comfort.

Then he clearly heard her plea: "Don't go. Please don't go."

Those five words made his jaw tighten.

Dreams reflected daytime thoughts.

Dominic burned to know who she begged so desperately not to leave her.

Motherless since childhood, Evelyn had never voiced her longing for maternal love. But Dominic knew that ache - saw it reflected in his own children.

Like Alexander and Isabella, who swallowed their childhood pains without complaint, never asking for their mother.

Yet their instant attachment to "Aunt Evelyn" proved how deeply they yearned for her.

Dominic preferred believing Evelyn dreamed of her absent mother rather than... someone else.

A worthless ex like Nathan didn't deserve her tears.

The police investigation had revealed Nathan traded Evelyn's intimate photos like business cards. Dominic wished the bastard would rot in prison forever.

Jealous thoughts swirled until Evelyn's sleep-slurred voice cut through: "Don't you want me? I'll give myself to you now. Just... don't take Alexander and Isabella away..."

Then he knew - he was the man in her nightmare.

Dominic held her tighter, employing soothing techniques usually reserved for his daughter. He let her clutch his shirt and waist, anchoring him in place.

Her warm fingers tracing his waist spoke of insecurity. Of desperate need.

Unfortunately, combined with his morning arousal, her touches only inflamed him further.

Dominic had never experienced such persistent... discomfort.

Once Evelyn slept peacefully again, he carefully tucked the blankets around her and slipped away to the bathroom.

Alexander woke needing to pee.

"Daddy, why're you up so early?" The boy asked mid-stream, pajama bottoms clutched in one hand.

Dominic dried his hands on Evelyn's freshly laundered towel.

Before he could answer, Alexander continued cheerfully: "Bring my school clothes later. And winter stuff too. It's almost fall."

Dominic muted the morning news. "Planning to live here permanently?"

"Obviously." Alexander blinked at his father's stern expression. "You're always busy. Now that Aunt Evelyn takes care of us, you can work. Just remember to pay tuition. She works hard - I don't want to burden her."

"Your great-grandfather will miss you," Dominic said quietly.

"Then he can visit. Or move in too!" The child's solution was beautifully simple.

Dominic's lips pressed into a thin line. Whether from the news or his son's words, he remained silent for a long moment.

Alexander retreated to his room.

The master bedroom, slightly larger than the others, remained Grandpa Robert's domain. Evelyn finally woke over an hour later.

Standing before the bathroom mirror, toothbrush dangling from her lips, Evelyn's thoughts churned chaotically. No solutions emerged from the mental fog.

The morning news had ended. With living room curtains drawn, the space remained dim. On the sofa, Dominic's tall frame had finally succumbed to sleep, forehead still creased with tension.