Chapter 445

Evelyn stepped into the restroom.

Lillian gave her a curt nod. "Ms. Sinclair."

She moved toward the sink, squeezing liquid soap onto her palms. The mirror reflected Lillian's flawlessly made-up face - beautiful yet chilling.

Despite Lillian's pleasant smile, Evelyn felt unease crawling up her spine.

She knew better than to trust Lillian's innocent facade.

Memories flooded back - the shopping mall confrontation, the humiliating T Corporation commercial shoot, the vicious Persian cat attack at Blue Honors...

The evidence might point to Lillian's assistant, but Evelyn wasn't naive. She recognized the puppet master. Only Lillian's status kept Evelyn from exposing her.

Evelyn broke the silence first. "Did you need something, Ms. Prescott?"

Lillian turned on the adjacent faucet. "You've gained weight. Life must be treating you well."

Evelyn wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. "Get to the point."

A smirk played on Lillian's lips. "Smart but dull. Do you really think you'll marry Dominic on May 1st? What makes you worthy? Mediocre looks, no family connections. A City has countless better women. I can't fathom why he chose you. Even I—"

"Not your concern," Evelyn cut in. "Dominic loves me. That's all that matters."

Lillian's four-inch heels gave her a height advantage. She loomed over Evelyn with false superiority. "You're mismatched. Leave him before you regret it."

Evelyn met her gaze steadily, showing no fear.

Flustered by Evelyn's composure, Lillian produced a check from her purse. "Ten million dollars. Take it and disappear. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

Evelyn accepted the check.

Her lips curved at the amount. "Generous. This could buy a decent house."

Disgust twisted Lillian's features. How could Dominic love such a gold-digger?

Then Evelyn did the unexpected.

She methodically tore the check to shreds and tossed it in the trash. "Dominic and I are getting married. Accept it. Let go of what was never yours. Consider this conversation forgotten."

Lillian's face darkened with rage. "I always get what I want! No commoner like you will touch the man I love!"

Evelyn laughed bitterly. The audacity to claim Dominic!

"Ms. Prescott, I'm Dominic's girlfriend. Has he ever acknowledged you? From what I recall, he's consistently rejected you. Shall I have him remind you personally?"

Lillian's chest heaved with fury.

Suddenly, her tone softened. "We're both women, Evelyn. A woman's heart is fragile. Dominic's the only man I've ever loved. Let me have him."

"There are plenty of men in A City. Why obsess over one? I'm becoming depressed... You're kind-hearted. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Tears glistened in Lillian's eyes as she grasped Evelyn's arm. "Name your price. Just leave him alone!"

Evelyn nearly laughed aloud.

The sheer shamelessness! Lillian framed herself as the victim in this twisted narrative.

Evelyn pushed her away. "Sorry, but I'm keeping Dominic. Feel free to attend our wedding on May 1st."

Lillian's sudden, chilling laughter raised goosebumps on Evelyn's skin. "I guarantee you won't marry him that day. Care to wager?"

Evelyn left without another word.

As they drove from the Prescott estate, Dominic noticed Evelyn's troubled expression. He ruffled her hair gently. "What's wrong? You seem more upset now than when we arrived."

Evelyn studied Dominic's profile as the memory of his words at the Prescott mansion resurfaced.

Her fingers twisted in her lap. "You mentioned our wedding is set for May 1st. What's happening?"

Dominic eased his foot off the accelerator slightly.

When his gaze met hers, warmth flooded his expression. "It was meant to be a surprise, but circumstances forced my hand. Evelyn, I want the world to know you're carrying my children and that you're the woman I love. We're having the grandest wedding this city has ever seen."

"May 1st? That's...so soon." Evelyn's pulse stuttered at the suddenness of it all.

Dominic's knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. "Do you not want this?"

The abrupt chill in his voice made her stomach drop. She reached for his arm. "No! It's not that. I just need time to process. I always knew we'd marry, but I never imagined it happening this fast..."

Their love had been a fragile seed buried deep, nearly suffocated by neglect and circumstance. Only recently had they nurtured it back to life, tenderly coaxing forth delicate buds.

Now it was about to blossom in full glory, and Evelyn's heart swelled at the thought.

Dominic's shoulders relaxed. "Leave everything to me. Just focus on becoming my beautiful bride."

He harbored no doubts about her commitment. Their bond ran deeper than either could articulate. Making Evelyn his wife wasn't just desire—it was destiny.

Evelyn worried her lower lip. "But your mother still doesn't approve, and my grandfather and aunt don't even know—"

"Mother's opinion is irrelevant." Dominic cut her off gently. "We won't be living under her roof. As for your family, I'll visit them this week. Invitations go out soon, and we'll take wedding photos in April—the weather will be kinder for you."

Evelyn's throat tightened. This seemingly aloof man had orchestrated every detail without her knowledge.

Yet Leia's warning slithered through her mind like venom.

She considered telling Dominic about the ten-million-dollar check Leia had slipped her in the restroom. But seeing his determined expression, the words died on her tongue.

The Prescotts valued their social standing above all. However much they wanted Dominic for their daughter-in-law, their pride wouldn't permit outright interference...

Meanwhile, in the Prescott kitchen...

Genevieve tied her apron strings, scrubbing pork ribs under running water.

Lillian swept in.

"Let me help, Mother." Lillian forced cheer into her voice while grimacing at the vegetable leaves staining her manicure.

Dirt lodged beneath her polished nails. Disgust churned her stomach, but she soldiered on.

Genevieve remained oblivious to her daughter's revulsion.

"Darling, you should rest. You've lost weight!" She fretted over Lillian's bandaged hand submerged in the sink. "Your injury needs to stay dry. I appreciate the help, but your health comes first. The kitchen's no place for you right now."

Lillian pasted on a smile. "It's nearly healed, Mother. I wish I could cook like you—I'd prepare meals for you and Father every day..."

Genevieve sighed. "Stubborn girl. Just don't aggravate that wound."

Lillian's expression darkened. "Mother, that Evelyn Sinclair is marrying Dominic on May 1st. She's utterly ordinary—what does he see in her? Am I not good enough?"

Genevieve deftly sliced ginger, her usual aristocratic demeanor softened by domesticity. "You're exceptional, darling. But Dominic's heart belongs to another. No good comes from forcing such matters."

Tears welled in Lillian's eyes. "I can't live without him, Mother. Help me stop this wedding. Once they're married, I'll lose him forever!"

Her fingers curled into fists, smearing vegetable dirt across her designer blouse. The ten-million-dollar bribe had failed. Now she needed more drastic measures.

Tears welled up in Lillian's eyes as she spoke.

She cried silently, her face the picture of abandonment and despair.

Her vulnerability mirrored that of a helpless infant.

This had always been her winning card. Countless times, she'd manipulated Genevieve with tears to get whatever she desired.

But this time, Genevieve only sighed deeply.

Genevieve tenderly wiped Lillian's tears with a tissue. "My dear, trust me, Dominic isn't your fairytale ending. Stealing another woman's man is wrong. You'll find someone who cherishes you properly. You may not understand now, but you will. Let me make your favorite dish..."

Lillian's mood instantly darkened.

Her fail-proof tactic had failed. The tears stopped abruptly.

Resentment burned in her cold gaze.

All Genevieve's declarations of love rang hollow when she refused to help Lillian obtain the man she craved. The injustice burned.

Blood ties meant nothing to Genevieve!

In that moment, years of Genevieve's kindness evaporated from Lillian's memory.

Her dissatisfaction grew, projecting her hatred for Evelyn onto Genevieve.

The vegetables before her became Evelyn in her mind. Lillian's eyes darkened with malice as she viciously shredded them.

'Dominic belongs to me, Evelyn. No one takes what's mine!'

Noticing Lillian's distress and the mutilated vegetables, Genevieve shook her head. "Go rest, darling. I'll handle dinner."

Lillian abandoned pretense, retreating under the guise of reviewing scripts.

Genevieve sighed at the destroyed vegetables. Her precious girl excelled at everything except domestic skills. But she'd spoiled her only child willingly.

Meanwhile, Dominic worked in his study while Evelyn showered and lounged in bed. Exhausted yet exhilarated about their May 1st wedding, she messaged her friends.

[Guess what, lovelies? Wedding bells on May 1st!]

The dormant group chat exploded.

Olivia responded first: [So soon! Did Mr. CEO propose properly?]

Abigail chimed in: [OMG! I demand bridesmaid duties! I must witness your happiness firsthand!]

Before Evelyn could reply, Abigail added: [Wait... is there another bun in the oven?]

Evelyn rolled her eyes but sent a voice message: "Will you both be my bridesmaids?"

Abigail replied with a crying emoji: [Can a pregnant whale even be a bridesmaid? The horror of not fitting the dress!]

Olivia teased: [They make dresses for all sizes! Saw a 200-pound bride last week looking stunning!]

Their banter continued until Abigail excused herself: [Baby shopping! Visit soon!]

At the boutique, Abigail's radiant smile made clerks assume she texted her husband. "Miss, you and your husband must be so in love!" one gushed.

Abigail didn't correct them. "Recommend newborn outfits please. Two sets each for boy and girl."

Her recent ultrasound revealed twins - an unexpected blessing that eclipsed her one-night stand trauma.

Suddenly, Sebastian appeared.

The clerks retreated at his signal. "Ms. Thornton," he greeted, startling Abigail.

Her clothes tumbled as she gasped: "Mr. Whitmore! Are you stalking me?"

"Can't I browse baby clothes?" he teased, amused by her overreaction.

Pregnancy had softened Abigail's usual reserve, making her reactions delightfully raw.

Fascinating.

Unbidden, his mind returned to that mysterious night with an unknown woman.

"Stop staring!" Abigail snapped, shielding herself. Since that night, male attention repulsed her.

Sebastian chuckled. Her fiery demeanor starkly contrasted her office persona.

Annoyed, Abigail prepared to leave when new customers entered.

The garishly dressed woman clinging to her foppish companion barely registered - until Abigail saw the man's face.

Recognition struck like lightning.

Her steps faltered, tears threatening to spill...

Abigail froze when her eyes landed on Henry Caldwell.

Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to encounter her ex-lover again.

The man she'd sacrificed everything for stood there grinning, his arm draped around an obscenely overweight woman.

A bitter laugh escaped Abigail's lips at the absurdity of it all.

Five years.

They'd spent five inseparable years together.

Both came from poverty, though Henry's family had it worse. During high school, she'd worked multiple jobs to support them both.

When college acceptance letters arrived, Abigail turned down a full scholarship. She needed to start earning immediately to fund Henry's education.

For three years, she paid his tuition, rent, groceries - everything. Touched by her devotion, Henry had vowed to marry her.

Then graduation day came.

He dumped her while holding hands with Jane Kensington, whose father chaired the Municipal Legal Committee. That connection could fast-track Henry's career by a decade.

Abigail would never forget Henry's cruel smirk or Jane's condescending stare.

Years later, Jane had ballooned in size. Her face resembled a bloated moon, eyes nearly disappearing in folds of fat. That protruding belly could be pregnancy or just gluttony.

Jane spotted Abigail immediately. She lifted her chins haughtily. "Well, if it isn't Miss Thornton! Knocked up already? Surprising anyone would touch Hank's leftovers. These clothes look expensive - sure you can afford them? Need charity?"

"Save your pity for orphans," Abigail replied coolly. "They actually need it."

Henry gaped at Abigail. The girl he remembered wore thick glasses and frumpy sweaters.

This woman radiated metropolitan elegance. Sleek hairstyle, designer outfit, confident posture - she'd transformed into a vision of sophistication.

Compared to his porcine wife, Abigail might as well be a goddess.

Jane noticed Henry's slack-jawed stare. Rage twisted her doughy face. She yanked his ear viciously. "Enjoying the view, husband? I'm standing right here!"

"Ow! Sweetheart, please - think of the baby!" Henry whimpered, attempting to embrace his wife's mountainous form. His arms couldn't even reach halfway around her girth.

He planted sloppy kisses on Jane's greasy cheek. "You're my everything, darling. The most beautiful woman alive."

Jane sniffed. "Liar! You were eyeing your ex like a starving mutt!"

Her beady eyes darted to Abigail. That frumpy girl had blossomed into serious competition. Jane's grip on Henry suddenly felt precarious.

Eager to appease his wife, Henry sneered at Abigail. "Why would I look at her? She's nothing to me - less than a stray dog. Can't hold a candle to you."

The words ripped open old wounds.

Three years of backbreaking labor. Three years of selfless support. And she meant less than a stray animal?

White-hot anger surged through Abigail. "How noble of you, Henry. Who paid your tuition? Your rent? Your parents' medical bills? I slaved for years without complaint, and this is your gratitude? Calling me a stray because her daddy could get you a fancy job?"

The public humiliation turned Henry crimson. Onlookers' disdainful glances burned into him.

"I...I..." he stammered, unable to meet Abigail's gaze.

Jane bristled. "Shut your filthy mouth! No wonder he dumped you - look at you, pregnant and alone. Must've spread your legs for half the city, you slut!"

Abigail's hands clenched into fists. She ached to wipe that smug smirk off Jane's face.

Just as she stepped forward, a deep voice cut through the tension like a blade. "She's carrying my baby."

Strong arms enveloped Abigail from behind...