Chapter 343

Dominic insisted on driving Evelyn back to Blackwood Manor that night.

She resisted at first. With all the negative press swirling around her, she was certain Reginald Blackwood and Beatrice would despise her presence.

But Dominic wouldn't take no for an answer. He wanted to declare to his entire family that Evelyn was his woman - soon to be Mrs. Blackwood.

Reluctantly, Evelyn followed him inside.

She trailed behind Dominic nervously, dreading any confrontation with Beatrice or the formidable family patriarch.

Fortunately, it was past midnight when they arrived. The manor lay silent, its occupants asleep. No one witnessed her entrance.

Evelyn first tiptoed to Alexander and Isabella's shared bedroom. The twins slept peacefully together - Isabella being too timid to sleep alone. Watching her angelic children's steady breathing, she pressed gentle kisses to their foreheads.

A steaming shower helped soothe her exhausted body.

Wrapped in a plush towel, she emerged to find Dominic already finished with his nightly routine. Without warning, he scooped her into his arms, carrying her toward his bedroom.

"You must have guest rooms here. I should stay in one of those, or maybe with the children..." Evelyn protested uneasily. Being in the Blackwood family home put her on edge.

"You're staying with me tonight." Dominic's grip tightened possessively around her waist. "I'm here. Nothing will happen to you."

"But—"

"Don't you trust me to handle my own family?" He brushed a kiss against her cheek. "You're the mother of my children, soon to be my wife. They need to accept that. Besides, we won't live here after we're married."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. The thought of daily confrontations with Beatrice as her mother-in-law made her stomach churn.

"Listen," Dominic continued, his tone lighter now. "The only real problem is my mother. Grandfather seems stern but he's reasonable. You can ignore Margaret completely. You've met Julian - he adores you as his sister-in-law. There's nothing to worry about."

Evelyn nodded resolutely. "I'll try my best with your family."

Dominic laid her on the bed, their bodies fitting together perfectly - her soft curves against his hard planes. As he stroked her hair, his voice turned serious. "The trial for Victoria and Sophia is the day after tomorrow..."

Evelyn stiffened. Between work and recent events, she'd nearly forgotten about the court date for the women who caused her father's suffering.

"I'll be there," she said through gritted teeth. Visions of her father's final moments flashed before her eyes - his labored breathing, his agonized twitches. The floodgates of hatred burst open anew.

That night, sleep eluded her. The impending trial and painful memories kept her tossing until dawn's first light.

When she finally awoke, Dominic's side of the bed was empty. Instead, two pairs of bright eyes stared at her from beside the bed.

Isabella poked Alexander excitedly. "See? Daddy didn't lie! Mommy really came to see us! Why is she still sleeping? Does Mommy like sleeping in too?"

Alexander pressed a finger to his lips. "Shh. Mommy works very hard. She needs extra rest. Let's not wake her."

Just then, Evelyn stirred and opened her eyes. The sight of her children's eager faces startled her momentarily before she remembered where she was.

"Alexander, Isabella, what time is it?" She glanced around for her phone.

Isabella scrambled onto the bed, her round eyes misty with curiosity. "It's nine o'clock, Mommy! It snowed earlier! Big Brother and I had a snowball fight while you were sleeping. Daddy says we're big kids now so we can't sleep in, but he lets you! That's not fair..."

Evelyn flushed. "I... I was very tired from work last night. Lost track of time." She cringed inwardly at being caught sleeping late.

"Your eyes look puffy, Mommy. Did Daddy make you cry?" Alexander asked protectively, always wary of his father's temper.

Evelyn checked her reflection. The sleepless night had left its mark. Luke's reminder about the trial had triggered endless replays of her father's suffering and the Montgomery women's cruelty - scenes too dark to share with innocent children.

She simply patted their heads reassuringly before reaching for her makeup. A dusting of powder and some concealer worked wonders, erasing the evidence of her restless night.

The twins watched in fascination as their mother transformed before their eyes, her beauty enhanced by the subtle enhancements.

Just as Evelyn finished, a knock sounded at the door. Alexander opened it to reveal a middle-aged housekeeper. "Good morning, Ms. Sinclair. Mr. Blackwood requests your presence downstairs for breakfast with the children."