Chapter 303

Dominic was at a complete loss.

Since when had there been lacy underwear in his car?

He racked his brain but couldn't recall anything.

As a clean freak, no stray clothing should exist in his vehicle. The only women who'd ridden in his car recently were his mother Beatrice, Evelyn, and little Isabella.

Isabella was just a child - certainly not wearing lace panties.

Evelyn noticed his confusion. "I found them under the passenger seat when searching for Isabella's math workbook... black lace panties."

She stood abruptly and retrieved the evidence from their bedroom.

Those panties had been gnawing at Evelyn for days.

If she didn't confront him now, the suspicion would consume her.

Dominic frowned. "Aren't those yours? Maybe you left them there?"

"Do you think I'd be asking if they were mine?" Evelyn countered.

Dominic's mind raced.

Evelyn continued, "And when you were handling that crisis in Brussels, I called late one night. A woman answered saying you were showering and demanded to know who I was..."

His brow furrowed sharply.

Suddenly he remembered - Vivienne had asked to stop at a drugstore after their business dinner. Had she planted the underwear then?

The realization sent ice through his veins.

If true, Ms. Laurent had gravely miscalculated.

No one touched his phone without permission.

During that Brussels trip, only Vivienne had accessed his suite. Yet his call logs showed no answered calls.

Dominic saw the truth in Evelyn's eyes. She wouldn't fabricate this. One incident might be coincidence. Two? Deliberate sabotage.

To Dominic, Vivienne was all business. Despite numerous suitors, she'd always rebuffed advances.

He couldn't fathom her pursuing someone clearly devoted to another.

But if this was her doing... what was the endgame?

Should Vivienne be behind this, she'd find herself permanently reassigned overseas.

Seizing his moment, Dominic pulled Evelyn onto his lap.

She stiffened, unprepared for intimacy while unsettled. But his intense gaze trapped her.

"Dominic! The children..."

His lips found her earlobe, drawing an involuntary shiver.

She glanced at Alexander and Isabella, engrossed in their block tower. Still, heat flooded her cheeks.

"Not now..." Her protest emerged breathless.

Dominic tilted her chin up, his eyes burning into hers. "Do you trust me, Evelyn? I swear I'll uncover the truth. All I need is your faith. Understand?"

Evelyn drowned in those earnest depths.

The tenderness there melted her resolve.

Was this love?

With Dominic, she longed to cling forever. But losing herself in him would make her a burden.

She'd worked hard to stand independently beside him.

Drawing strength, she met his gaze. "I trust you. I've never regretted choosing you. But we must be equals - no betrayals. Some wounds never heal."

Dominic's lips pressed thin.

Her words struck deep. Behind her strength lay fragility.

Infidelity would shatter her completely.

Cradling her wrist, he stroked her hair. "Understood."

A vow to them both.

Evelyn couldn't know she'd been his only woman since his cynical youth.

His fingers guided her face upward. The kiss started gentle, then his teeth grazed her neck, drawing a gasp.

Dominic wanted more.

Lost in the moment, Evelyn suddenly noticed two wide-eyed spectators. She shoved him away, mortified.

Alexander bounded over. "Daddy, why were you eating Mommy's mouth? Did she have candy? Can we have some too?"

His little face scrunched in confusion.

Why was Daddy licking Mommy like that?

Was she hiding treats from them?

Daddy hated sweets - it must be something really special!