Chapter 218
Evelyn's breath hitched when Dominic casually mentioned the DNA test.
What if he was wrong?
What if Alexander and Isabella weren't really hers?
Fear coiled around her heart like a venomous snake.
Her longing to be their mother was so intense that even the slightest possibility of losing them felt like a dagger twisting in her chest.
She deliberately avoided asking about the test schedule. Part of her wanted to flee.
The conversation died after that awkward topic. Silence stretched between them.
Alone in the bedroom, the air grew thick with tension.
"I should check emails from the town office." Evelyn practically bolted for the living room.
Dominic's strong fingers closed around her wrist. He pulled her back against his muscular frame. Her lashes fluttered as she looked up.
Those expressive doe eyes held a vulnerability that made his restraint waver.
Evelyn couldn't meet his gaze. Watching his Adam's apple bob, she flushed when his lips claimed hers. Her pulse skyrocketed, breaths turning ragged...
She nearly bit his lip from nervousness.
Dominic didn't release her. Breaking the kiss, he murmured against her ear, "You're unusually tense. This isn't our first rodeo."
Scarlet flooded her cheeks.
Summoning courage, she shoved him away and fled, hands covering her burning face.
Evelyn had brought her laptop from the small town, anticipating work emergencies.
Now she typed furiously, coordinating with colleagues back home.
At 11:30, two sleepy voices called, "Miss Evie, we're awake!"
Alexander and Isabella rubbed their eyes, scanning the room for the missing adult before draping themselves over Evelyn's back.
"Where's Daddy?" Alexander asked, peering at the complex designs on her screen.
Dominic was in the study.
Through the closed door, Evelyn heard two muffled phone conversations.
"Miss Evie, I'm hungry..." Isabella nuzzled into Evelyn's lap, wrapping chubby arms around her neck.
Evelyn kissed the girl's forehead. "What would you like, sweetheart?"
Dominic emerged to find this domestic scene - Evelyn laughing breathlessly with Isabella while Alexander clung to her side.
His presence made Evelyn freeze mid-laugh.
"We're dining out. Reservation's at twelve." Dominic addressed Evelyn before turning to the children. "Change clothes. Stop smothering her."
The quartet exited the apartment - Dominic striding ahead, Evelyn trailing with a child on each side.
The concierge watched wistfully, wishing she could snap a photo of T Corporation's CEO with his apparent family.
Evelyn's stomach churned during the drive, dreading the test results.
The restaurant owner greeted them personally, scrutinizing Evelyn.
For someone of Dominic's stature, the DNA test required absolute discretion.
High society knew about his twins but not their mother's identity. Surrogacy rumors swirled, yet the truth remained hidden.
Evelyn squirmed under the woman's appraisal.
"Dominic mentioned you're Evelyn? Any dietary preferences?" The owner's gaze lingered on Evelyn's face, searching for something familiar.
"Yes, Evelyn Sinclair. No preferences." Evelyn forced politeness.
"I'll prepare our specialties then."
After she left, Dominic explained, "Aunt Sylvia knew Mother and Aunt Genevieve in school. They had a falling out."
Evelyn panicked. "Will she tell—"
"She won't. Their friendship ended decades ago."
Evelyn found this oddly endearing.
When the DNA collector arrived, Evelyn's throat tightened.
The professional woman shook hands with the adults before noticing the children's outstretched palms.
"Pleasure to meet you," she said, amused.
"Nice to meet you, Miss!" The twins chorused.
The sampling took under ten minutes. As the woman departed, Alexander asked, "Daddy, why'd she take our hair?"
"To check if you're geniuses." Dominic lied smoothly, then slid a plate of perfectly sliced steak toward Evelyn.
Evelyn stared at the meticulously arranged meat...
Downstairs, the restaurant owner racked her brain.
That young woman looked strikingly familiar.
She resembled... a younger version of Genevieve Prescott.