Chapter 247

Evelyn felt an unexpected tightness in her chest and a strange prickling in her nose. No one had ever shown her such unconditional kindness like Dominic did.

Her long lashes fluttered as she blinked away the moisture gathering in her eyes.

The limited edition black credit card gleamed in her palm. She recognized it instantly from the financial magazines she'd read.

Morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating Dominic's chiseled profile as he stood in the kitchen. The man was perfection incarnate.

She was just an ordinary woman, yet somehow she'd been blessed with his love and devotion.

"Thank you..." Evelyn's voice cracked with emotion.

He'd been her rock during the darkest period of her life.

Losing her father had left her shattered and adrift.

The pain had been unbearable. But Dominic had stayed by her side.

And their children - Alexander and Isabella - were like little miracles. Living proof of their love.

Perhaps fate had been cruel at first, but now she knew she was the luckiest woman alive.

Dominic gently kissed the tears from Evelyn's cheeks, his thumb brushing the bridge of her nose. "No thanks needed, darling. Finding you was the best thing that ever happened to me. You may have lost your father, but you'll always have me and our children."

His deep voice soothed her racing heart instantly.

"Big brother and I will never leave you, Mommy! We'll be together forever!" The little girl in princess pajamas hugged Evelyn's leg, her curly hair tickling Evelyn's skin.

Evelyn scooped up her daughter, kissing the giggling child's rosy cheeks. The sound drew Alexander's attention from the bathroom doorway where he stood, freshly brushed teeth gleaming.

The boy watched the scene with poorly concealed jealousy. He longed to be held too, but Daddy said big boys shouldn't act like babies.

Dominic noticed his son's expression immediately.

"Alexander..." He strode over and lifted the surprised boy into his arms.

Alexander's eyes widened comically, his mouth forming a perfect 'O'.

'Daddy's holding me!'

Fireworks exploded in his chest.

'Not just holding me - hugging me properly!'

Dominic inhaled the sweet, milky scent of his son. He'd always believed girls needed coddling while boys required discipline. Isabella received countless hugs, but serious little Alexander rarely got such displays of affection.

Though his face remained impassive, warmth shimmered in Dominic's eyes as he held his son. His voice, however, stayed firm. "You're a Blackwood. You must learn composure, not overreact to small things. Your earlier display was unacceptable. Remember - no second chances."

Alexander curled contentedly against his father's chest, beaming despite the lecture.

Evelyn shot Dominic a disapproving look. "He's just a child. Must you be so harsh?"

Her voice triggered memories of last night - Evelyn writhing beneath him like some woodland nymph, her body arching in pleasure...

Heat flooded Dominic's veins.

An unmistakable bulge formed in his trousers.

"Ouch! Daddy, what's that?" Alexander wriggled as his bare foot brushed against the hardness. "Are you hiding something in your pants?"

Isabella gasped. "Mommy! Does Daddy have a tumor like Granny Florence? We need to take him to the hospital!"

Granny Florence, their beloved nanny, had recently undergone surgery to remove a neck tumor.

Dominic and Evelyn exchanged mortified glances.

'You want me to remove the very thing that brings your mother joy?' Dominic thought wryly.

Evelyn's cheeks burned as she averted her eyes from Dominic's obvious arousal. After last night's activities, she hadn't expected him to be ready again so soon...

Dominic shrugged helplessly. His traitorous body betrayed him whenever Evelyn was near.

Clearing his throat, he set Alexander down. "Daddy's fine. Just needs a cold shower. Be good for your mother."

He strode toward the bathroom, leaving two confused children and a flustered Evelyn behind.

"Mommy, can cold showers cure tumors?" Isabella persisted.

"Well... Daddy ate something too spicy last night. The shower will help. Remember, no spicy food when you're older." Evelyn maintained a straight face despite her flaming cheeks.

"We promise, Mommy!" The children chorused.

Guilt pricked Evelyn for the white lie. She settled the children with picture books before returning to breakfast preparations.

But thoughts of her father's death and Victoria and Sophia's smug faces soured her mood.

This time, she wouldn't forgive those vile women. No matter what.