Chapter 38
The hospital room felt unnaturally quiet when Evelyn returned.
She stared at the shopping bags for what felt like an eternity before finally forcing herself to brush her teeth.
Dominic and Alexander didn’t linger long after that.
Once she was cleaned up, Evelyn changed into her pajamas and sank into the sterile white hospital bed. Her fingers twisted the sheets restlessly. Sleep refused to come.
She tossed. Turned. The silence pressed in on her.
Her eyes stayed wide open.
For the first time in her twenty-four years, someone had given her a coat without hesitation when she was cold.
She couldn’t deny the warmth that flickered in her chest at the memory.
Dominic led his son out of the hospital, heading for the car.
They barely made it past the first traffic light before he rolled down the window and lit a cigarette. The ember glowed between his fingers as he exhaled, his sharp gaze fixed ahead.
"Dad," Alexander piped up from the backseat, his small voice hesitant. "You always say it’s rude to listen to other people’s calls. But you told me to answer Miss Evelyn’s phone..."
Dominic took another drag. Silent.
Alexander fidgeted. "We didn’t even ask her permission..."
Dominic flicked ash into the tray. "I had you answer so you could check if it was someone dangerous calling her."
"Oh." The boy blinked, processing.
Evelyn spent the night in the hospital.
Morning came with the doctor’s visit—a week of rest, no late nights.
"Thank you, Dr. Grant," Evelyn murmured.
The doctor packed her instruments.
"Can I recover at home instead?" Evelyn asked. The hospital fees were exorbitant, and Sebastian had arranged this room.
The meal with Penelope Worthington had been work-related, so the company covered her stay.
Still, she hated hospitals.
"Of course. I’ll prepare your medication." Dr. Grant nodded politely before leaving.
Evelyn had been hospitalized before, but never treated so kindly.
She skipped lunch, rushing through discharge paperwork.
On the subway home, Olivia called. Evelyn assured her she was fine.
"About my brother—" Olivia started.
"Oh, my stop’s here. Talk later." Evelyn cut her off.
She and Nathan were over. Whether they could be friends again? That was up to fate.
Her lower back ached—a lingering effect of the drugs.
At home, she changed the sheets, showered, and collapsed into bed.
A thunderclap jolted her awake.
Darkness. Rain hammered the windows.
She fumbled for the lights.
The doorbell rang.
"Who is it?"
"Me." Dominic’s voice, low and rough.
Through the peephole, she saw him—drenched, holding a sealed bag of medicine.
She’d forgotten to pick it up.
Guilt twisted her stomach as she opened the door.
Dominic handed her the dry medicine, his clothes soaked.
"Why didn’t you use an umbrella?" she asked.
"Can I come in?"
She stepped aside.
He toed off his shoes. "Didn’t think about the rain until it was too late."
She bit her lip. The storm had started with that thunderclap.
Dominic, dripping but composed, tilted his head. "Mind if I shower here?"
She hesitated.
He headed for the bathroom.
"Should I dry your clothes?" she called after him.
He turned, nodded, his gaze dark.
She looked away.
When he stripped off his coat, his wet shirt clung to his torso, outlining every muscle.
Evelyn’s breath hitched.
She fled to the kitchen, swallowing her pills with water.
Forty minutes later, she’d washed, dried, and ironed his clothes.
Dominic emerged in just a towel, water sliding down his chest.
Evelyn kept her eyes firmly on the floor.
He stood at the balcony, smoking silently.
Then he was behind her, voice rough. "Done?"
She handed him the warm clothes. "Yes."
His breath brushed her cheek. "Thanks."
The doorbell rang again.
Evelyn froze.
Dominic didn’t react.
She peeked through the peephole—Nathan, umbrella in hand, leaning against the wall, cigarette dangling.
Her stomach dropped.
She couldn’t let him see Dominic here.
"Evelyn, open up!" Nathan slammed his fist against the door.
A neighbor yelled at him to quiet down.
"Mind your own business," Nathan snarled.
The neighbor retreated.
Dominic moved toward the door.
Evelyn grabbed his arm. "Please, don’t go out there."
He frowned. "Am I that embarrassing?"
That wasn’t it.
Nathan’s key turned in the lock.
Dominic spun her around, crushing his lips to hers.
The kiss was punishing, possessive.
She gasped.
Nathan’s voice came from the other side of the door. "Evelyn, we need to talk."
She shook her head, pleading.
Dominic pinned her wrists, his other hand sliding under her nightgown.
His fingers traced her inner thigh.
A moan escaped her.
The storm outside drowned nothing.