Chapter 289

Dominic turned abruptly. He needed fresh air to clear his mind, craving the bitter taste of nicotine to steady his nerves.

Just as he reached the exit, slender pale fingers caught the edge of his shirt sleeve.

He spun around to find Evelyn's tear-stained face staring up at him. "Please don't leave me here," she whispered, voice breaking.

Curled up like a frightened stray, her vulnerability pierced through Dominick's defenses instantly.

The clinical stench of antiseptic made Evelyn nauseous. The nurse's syringe glinted under fluorescent lights, triggering visceral panic.

Too many traumatic memories surfaced - dark corridors, sterile rooms, the metallic scent of fear. Even now, years later, the terror remained fresh.

Her trembling fingers clung to Dominick's hand like a lifeline. This hospital felt like a waking nightmare she couldn't escape.

When she collapsed against his chest, Dominick was startled by her fragility. He'd never seen the usually fiery Evelyn so broken.

Most children feared needles. But Evelyn was a grown woman. There had to be more to this phobia than met the eye.

'I'll get to the bottom of this later,' Dominick resolved silently.

Scooping her up, he noticed her wincing when her stomach brushed against him. Guilt twisted inside him - he shouldn't have been so rough earlier.

In Dominick's arms, Evelyn gradually relaxed. She buried her face in his neck, her grip tightening as if he alone could anchor her in this storm. His solid presence created a temporary refuge from her demons.

"Let's try another hospital," he suggested gently, enveloping her small hand in his.

Evelyn shook her head violently. "No hospitals. Just take me home," she pleaded, voice raw.

Hospitals represented everything she feared - needles, loss, the thin line between life and death. The place where she'd watched her father take his last breath.

Dominick's expression remained unreadable as he studied her pale face. "Alright. Home it is," he conceded.

Evelyn clutched his sleeve desperately, terrified he might change his mind. Only when cold night air hit her face did her grip loosen slightly.

Carrying her to the parking lot, Dominick noticed her arms slackening around his neck. Looking down, he found her asleep, exhaustion finally claiming her.

He pressed a featherlight kiss to her forehead before carefully settling her in the car.

The Range Rover merged into midnight traffic, leaving the hospital behind.

Dominick bypassed other medical facilities, heading straight for his estate. Upon arrival, he summoned the Blackwood family physician.

Dr. Julian Whitmore had just completed back-to-back surgeries on two Fortune 500 CEOs when Dominick's insistent calls started.

After thirty-six grueling hours in the OR, Julian had barely collapsed into bed when his phone erupted. The frantic calls made him fear Dominick was bleeding out.

He arrived at the mansion in record time, only to discover his emergency patient was a young woman with a fever. Julian nearly walked out then and there.

A Harvard-trained specialist treating a common cold? The indignity burned.

But one look at Dominick's thunderous expression kept his protests internal. The man could make life very difficult for those who displeased him.

"Just a viral infection," Julian announced after examination. "Oral medication will suffice since she's needle-phobic. The ankle sprain needs topical treatment - she'll recover in days."

Noticing the love bites on Evelyn's neck, Julian couldn't resist commenting, "Never took you for the possessive type, Blackwood. Careful you don't scare her off with that caveman behavior."

Dominick's tender gaze on Evelyn's sleeping form turned glacial when directed at Julian. "Keep your eyes to yourself unless you want them removed."

Julian demonstrated ankle massage techniques while Dominick watched like a hawk. "Apply this ointment twice daily," he instructed, producing a small jar.

Evelyn whimpered as Julian manipulated her swollen joint, instinctively curling away from the pain.

That sleepy moan sent heat straight to Dominick's groin. He roughly shoved Julian aside. "Enough. Hands off my woman."

Julian rolled his eyes. "Some gratitude. World-class physician reduced to love doctor. Remind me why we're friends?"

After leaving instructions and billing details, Julian departed, muttering about ungrateful billionaires.

Evelyn slept peacefully, her slight frame nearly disappearing under the duvet. Dominick's cool palm against her forehead confirmed her fever was breaking.

Shirt discarded, he slid into bed, pulling her flush against him. The contrast between her feverish skin and his cooler body was intoxicating. Nothing separated them - just the way he preferred.

Desire flared hot, but her fragile state stayed his hand. Instead, he pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek.

'If only you'd always be this pliant, Evelyn...'