Chapter 256

The childish voice made Dominic freeze instantly.

Alexander and Isabella had woken up moments earlier. Their wide eyes stared curiously at Daddy and Mommy tangled together.

Dominic scrambled off Evelyn's body, hastily pulling the silk sheet over them both.

Evelyn burned with embarrassment. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

Frustration and anger warred within Dominic at the interruption. But seeing the children's innocent confusion, he couldn't bring himself to scold them.

"Daddy, why were you on top of Mommy?" Isabella asked, tilting her head at Evelyn who was trying to hide beneath the covers.

Meanwhile, Alexander glared at Dominic with accusing eyes.

The boy noticed his mother's flushed face and teary eyes...

Pointing a chubby finger, Alexander shouted, "You're so big, Daddy! Were you hurting Mommy?"

Earlier, Evelyn's muffled cry had woken him. Seeing his father's massive frame crushing his delicate mother had shocked him.

'How could Daddy do that?

Mommy's still recovering. She's so small and Daddy's so heavy!'

For the first time in his life, Dominic felt thoroughly embarrassed.

Normally, these two slept through thunderstorms. Yet the one time he wanted intimacy with his wife, they'd caught them red-handed.

"Daddy wasn't hurting me," Evelyn lied unconvincingly. "I was cold... so he was keeping me warm like a blanket. Now go back to sleep, darlings. School tomorrow."

Alexander and Isabella inspected Evelyn for injuries, then shook tiny fists at Dominic in warning. Only after prolonged cuddles did they drift back to sleep...

Dominic didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Evelyn had completely usurped his authority in the household.

Not that he minded. Her bond with the children delighted him. She'd won their hearts completely.

"Come here..." Dominic whispered, reaching for Evelyn now that the children slept.

Before he could touch her, the usually docile rabbit delivered a sharp kick between his legs.

Caught off guard, Dominic gasped in pain.

Evelyn's disdainful glare could freeze fire. "Don't touch me for a month."

Turning away, she hugged the children and closed her eyes.

Dominic stared at her back in dismay. A month without touching her? He'd go insane.

Now that he'd tasted Evelyn's sweetness, how could he return to celibacy?

He resolved to build the children a new bedroom - as far from theirs as possible!

Across town...

Neon lights pulsed through the smoky nightclub as bodies swayed to throbbing music. Strangers pressed together, igniting sparks of desire.

Maxwell Lockwood wove through the crowd, brushing off advances with practiced ease. Half-drunk, he looked every inch the playboy.

'See? Women still flock to me.

These club girls are sexy, eager to please. They adore me.

What does Evelyn have besides that innocent face?

She can't even keep a man happy. Used goods who bore my cousin's brats.

Why can't I let her go?'

Maxwell retreated from the dance floor with a beauty on each arm, settling at the bar.

The bartender slid cocktails toward them. "Your drinks, Mr. Lockwood..."

Maxwell pinched one girl's cheek while stroking the other's bare arm. "Tell me, do you love me?" he mocked.

"Of course! You're prettier than me - that's reason enough!" the first giggled.

Not to be outdone, the second planted a wet kiss on his cheek. "You're always so generous! We all love you!"

Maxwell's laughter died when glass shattered nearby. A woman's scream pierced the music.

Narrowing his eyes, he spotted thugs harassing a stunning woman in a white crop top and micro skirt.

Already in a foul mood, this worsened it. His usually smiling eyes darkened with violence.

Who dared cause trouble on Maxwell Lockwood's turf?

A wave of his hand sent security swarming. Normally he'd ignore such incidents, but tonight he needed an outlet.

Within minutes, the thugs fled in terror.

Maxwell fought with terrifying brutality, seeming not to care about consequences.

Blood dripped from his arm as he studied the woman before him through drunken haze.

'Who is she?

Why does she look familiar?'

Recognition dawned. A slow smirk spread across his face.

'Well, well.

Victor Langley's ex - the love of his life.

Serena Delacroix.'