Chapter 45

Evelyn and Abigail returned to the design department before their lunch meeting.

Evelyn placed her laptop back on her workstation. The phone she'd left behind suddenly buzzed with an unknown number.

138...6688. The message read: "Miss Evelyn, my summer break starts soon. Are you free in ten days?"

She recognized it must be Alexander.

Her fingers flew across the screen. "Work's overwhelming right now. Just got assigned a major project. Can't afford to take time off. Sorry."

She needed to maintain distance from Dominic Blackwood's son.

That man's accusations still burned. She'd never approached his children with ulterior motives.

In their world, men like Dominic expected gold-diggers at every turn.

If a woman escaped his wrath, she might gain his temporary attention—but only as a transaction. Bodies for money. Hearts never involved.

Evelyn knew better than to play that dangerous game.

Dominic was forbidden. A temptation she couldn't afford.

Alexander's delayed reply finally came: "Oh... okay......" The trailing dots screamed disappointment.

Her chest ached. If only Alexander and Isabella were orphans—she'd adopt them in a heartbeat. Raise them while chasing her design dreams.

But they had a father. A powerful one.

She silenced her phone and walked out.

Nathan stood abruptly. Her conflicted expression ignited his fury.

Evelyn barely reached the restroom when an iron grip yanked her backward.

"Let go! This is workplace harassment—" She glared at Nathan, wrenching her arm free.

"Private talk. Now." He dragged her into the supply closet.

Evelyn shoved against him. "I'll scream!"

Nathan cornered her with a sneer. "Scream? Didn't lose your voice when that bastard fucked you senseless?"

She recoiled. "You're being irrational."

"Irrational?" His laugh turned manic. "My fiancée spreads her legs for another man, but I can't react? Are you insane? Engaged to me while taking some stranger's cock? God, Evelyn, I never guessed you were such a slut in college."

Her laughter rang hollow. "Now you know. Consider it a late revelation."

His fists clenched. The recent 96-hour detainment kept him from striking her—but not from venom.

"Fucking blind idiot I was! Thank Christ I didn't marry trash like you. Who knows how many men you'd parade through our home once I'm old?"

"Disgusting." Ice flooded her veins. She turned to leave.

The door flew open.

Abigail emerged from the restroom. Seeing Nathan's twisted expression, she pulled Evelyn away. "Let's go."

Nathan watched them leave, knuckles white. No man tolerated being cuckolded.

Evelyn had been his choice. His property.

For years, she'd played the perfect girlfriend. Now the mask slipped, revealing a whore.

Marie claimed she'd slept around abroad. That voice he'd heard through her apartment door confirmed it.

Filthy bitch.

But five years of deception demanded payback.

Downstairs, Evelyn's shoulders slumped.

Abigail hesitated. "You okay?"

A bitter smile. "Heard everything, huh?"

"Only parts. But that guy's unhinged. You're nothing like he said."

Evelyn weighed her words. "He wasn't entirely wrong. There was a man in my apartment... after we officially broke up."

Abigail's brows shot up.

"The guy might... have some interest in me. But it's not love. Just obsession. My refusals don't matter to someone that controlling."

Abigail blinked. What kind of man inspired words like "obsession" and "controlling"?

They reached the lobby. "How will you handle Nathan at work?" Abigail asked.

"I'll resign after getting my salary."

"Absolutely not!" Abigail gripped her arm. "After all the opportunities I gave you?"

Guilt twisted Evelyn's stomach. But staying meant endless drama.

Two luxury cars idled outside. Sebastian spotted them and gestured. "Miss Sinclair, this car please."

He directed Abigail to the second vehicle, claiming she'd handle client small talk.

The unspoken message was clear.

Sebastian opened the Bentley's door with deference.

Evelyn's breath hitched at the figure inside. Terrified, she slid in.

Dominic's eyes flicked open as her shadow fell across him.