Chapter 228

A scandalous pile of black lace lay sprawled across the study's marble tiles. The delicate fabric left little to the imagination, designed purely for seduction.

Evelyn's cheeks burned as she scooped up the lingerie and fled Dominic's study.

She locked herself in the bathroom, staring at the sinful garments in her hands.

Each piece used shockingly little fabric. The entire collection could fit in one palm...

How utterly mortifying!

She grabbed her phone and texted Gwendolyn.

These were the exact same pieces her aunt had picked out at the boutique!

How had they ended up in Dominic's possession?

Gwendolyn replied instantly. [Of course I bought them for you. What else was I supposed to do when you refused them at the store?]

[I really don't need these, Aunt Gwen. Can we return them?]

Evelyn struggled to articulate her discomfort.

People had different preferences. Evelyn valued comfort above all else in undergarments.

None of these three sets looked remotely comfortable. Just imagining wearing them made her skin crawl.

[Lingerie can't be returned after trying on, darling. That poor salesgirl worked so hard for her commission. Would you really take food from her mouth?]

Evelyn abandoned the return idea, feeling suddenly like a heartless villain.

As she typed a response, Gwendolyn sent a voice message.

Evelyn pressed the phone to her ear, wary of Dominic or the children overhearing.

"You told me you have a boyfriend. Listen - no matter how close you are, things get stale. You need to keep him hungry, keep him wanting more. It benefits you both. Why not try something new?"

Gwendolyn's tone was matter-of-fact, like a professor lecturing a student. Evelyn's face burned crimson.

Her questioning had backfired into an impromptu love lesson.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Alexander stood outside, legs crossed tightly.

"Miss Evie! I need to pee!"

"Quick, come in." She ushered him inside, closing the door behind them.

The torn packaging had to be discarded.

After disposing of it, Evelyn still clutched the lingerie. She couldn't bring herself to trash such expensive items.

Finally, she stuffed them into her purse. She'd deal with them later.

"Sleepy, Isabella?" Evelyn cradled her drowsy daughter, kissing her soft cheek. "Bath time then bed?"

Isabella nodded sleepily, arms looped around Evelyn's neck.

The warm weight of the child in her arms felt precious as Evelyn carried her to the bathroom. Isabella dozed peacefully, safe in her embrace.

"Who bathed you before I came?" Evelyn wanted to understand her daughter's past.

The sleepy mumble came against her shoulder. "The nannies took turns. One fell... then the other bathed me. After that I did it myself so they wouldn't get hurt."

These "nannies" were clearly the caretakers at Blackwood Manor, not Beatrice.

"Did Daddy ever bathe you?" Evelyn's heart ached for the little girl. No matter how hard she tried, she could never fully compensate for five lost years of motherhood.

Isabella's lips pursed at Dominic's mention. Her lashes fluttered but didn't open. "Once. I splashed water on his shirt. He got angry. Never asked him again."

Evelyn's chest tightened with complicated emotions.

'I'll be the mother you deserve. Daddy won't scare you anymore,' she vowed silently.

'If the DNA test confirms I'm your mother...'

After tucking both children in, Evelyn organized their schoolwork. 9:30 PM.

She left quietly, not disturbing the man working in the study. The apartment door clicked shut behind her.

Checking her watch, she hurried to catch the last subway home.

Forty minutes later, she unlocked her silent apartment.

Days of absence left the space feeling foreign.

She flicked on lights, boiled water, then rolled up her sleeves to clean.

Dust had settled everywhere. She couldn't sleep surrounded by neglect.

The doorbell startled her mid-task.

Evelyn set down the bedsheets, uneasy about nighttime visitors.

Her phone showed no messages. Anyone she knew would have called first.

The bell rang again.

Peering through the peephole, she exhaled when she recognized the figure outside.

"Why are you here?" she asked, opening the door.

Dominic's gaze traveled over her before he wordlessly stepped inside.

Confused, Evelyn closed the door behind him.

She moved to pour water when his voice stopped her. "Why leave when you were already there?"

It took her a moment to understand.

"I thought you didn't have enough beds..."

Dominic's mood visibly lifted. "Wasn't ours big enough for two?"

Evelyn's cheeks warmed. "Let me get you some water," she deflected.

Strong arms pulled her close. His breath fanned across her flushed face. "Did you lure me here because you prefer this small bed?"