Chapter 249

Dominic exhaled softly. Having successfully disciplined the twins, he now faced his greatest challenge - comforting Evelyn. He felt like a failure as a father.

Rising from his seat, he approached Evelyn and enveloped her delicate frame in his powerful embrace. His fingers traced soothing circles on her back. "This is entirely my fault," he murmured. "Please don't be angry. I only worry about their eating habits affecting their health. I'll be more lenient next time."

Seeing his genuine remorse, Evelyn relented. "Promise me you won't repeat today's behavior. They're just children."

Dominic's tension eased as Evelyn's anger subsided. Her happiness meant everything to him.

Alexander and Isabella rested their chins on their hands, wide-eyed. Daddy had transformed completely since Mommy's return. They marveled at how she tamed their usually strict father.

The breakfast drama concluded peacefully.

Later that morning, Dominic escorted Evelyn and the twins to the hospital for her father Robert's funeral. This would be the children's first - and last - meeting with their grandfather.

At the hospital parking lot...

Maxwell sat in his smoke-filled car, chain-smoking through the night. The burning cigarette between his fingers mirrored the fire in his chest.

He knew exactly who stood by Evelyn's side now. Knew how she despised him. Yet his feelings remained unchanged.

Her coldness cut deeper than any blade.

The irony wasn't lost on him - a husband forced to stake out a hospital to see his own wife. Especially when he'd secured their marriage through deception.

The sight of the perfect family unit at the hospital entrance made his vision blur with rage.

Dominic, tall and imposing, shielded Evelyn like a fortress. Between them, the angelic twins completed the picture of domestic bliss.

Maxwell crushed his cigarette and stormed from the vehicle.

He'd known Evelyn first. Back when she was young and innocent, like unripe fruit he'd planned to let mature. His patience had been rewarded with theft - Dominic Blackwood stealing what rightfully belonged to him.

"Evelyn!" Maxwell seized her wrist, bloodshot eyes blazing. "I'm your husband! Yet I had to learn about my father-in-law's death through gossip? Were you planning to hide this from me completely?"

"Release me, Maxwell!" Evelyn struggled against his iron grip. "Husband? You know exactly how that farce of a marriage came to be. To me, you're less than a stranger - you're a scheming villain!"

Her words pierced like daggers.

Maxwell forced a laugh, masking his pain. "Doesn't matter. That marriage certificate binds you to me. While I live, you remain my lawful wife. Whatever you have with Dominic Blackwood means nothing!"

A sudden, excruciating pain forced Maxwell to release Evelyn. He turned to find Dominic crushing his wrist with bone-breaking force.

Dressed in his signature black bespoke suit, Dominic radiated aristocratic menace. The air around him turned glacial. "Today is for mourning, Maxwell. Pay your respects or leave. Cause trouble, and our acquaintance ends here."

The twins, sensing the tension, hid behind Evelyn, watching the confrontation with wide eyes.

Dominic released Maxwell's wrist and guided his family inside. Maxwell rubbed his bruised flesh, vowing retribution. But first, he had a funeral to attend.

In the morgue...

Robert lay in his casket, pale as marble. Only his stillness betrayed the truth.

"Come meet your grandfather," Evelyn said, fighting tears. She led the children to the casket. "This is your first and last chance to see him."

Seeing their mother's grief, the twins bowed solemnly.

"Grandpa Robert," Alexander began, voice trembling with unexpected maturity, "Mommy says you're in heaven now. I'll take good care of her for you. I promise."

Isabella added softly, "I'm Isabella. I know my ABCs and love drawing stories. I'll help Big Brother watch over Mommy too."

Evelyn covered her mouth as tears overflowed. Dominic enveloped her from behind, wiping her cheeks. "Rest easy," he told Robert. "I'll protect her with my life."

From the shadows, Maxwell watched the scene unfold, his lips twisting into a bitter sneer at the picture-perfect family farewell...