Chapter 473

Sebastian drove Dominic back to the Blackwood estate.

As Dominic stepped out of the car, Evelyn's distressed voice carried through the courtyard. "Let me go! I need to leave!"

"Mrs. Blackwood, Sir's orders are clear - you can't leave without his permission." The housekeeper's voice remained firm.

Dominic quickened his pace.

He found Evelyn standing at the grand foyer, wearing only a thin blouse, facing off against two staff members.

His chest tightened seeing her stubborn defiance.

"Evelyn!" His deep voice cut through the tension.

She turned, her eyes glistening with unshed tears when she saw him.

Immediately she spun back around, presenting him with her rigid back.

The impossibility of their situation weighed heavily on her.

Yet her traitorous heart leapt at his return. She couldn't allow herself to look at him.

Dominic's piercing gaze swept over her profile before settling on her tense shoulders.

A nearly imperceptible sigh escaped him.

Even without seeing his face, Evelyn could feel the heat of his stare burning into her.

She ducked her head. He had every right to be furious.

In three strides, Dominic closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her slender frame.

His sharp eyes caught the untouched meal on the dining table. "Has my wife not eaten?" The question carried an edge.

"Mr. Blackwood," one housekeeper stammered, avoiding eye contact. "Mrs. Blackwood said she wasn't hungry..."

"Is this how you perform your duties?" Dominic's accusatory tone made both women flinch.

They stood frozen, barely daring to breathe under his glare.

Though Evelyn had refused the food, neither dared say so.

The senior staff member bowed slightly. "Our apologies, Sir. We'll do better."

They bore the unjust reprimand without complaint.

After the fire incident, Dominic had personally vetted every staff member. These women were the most experienced professionals available.

Evelyn couldn't stomach their punishment. "It's not their fault! I refused to eat. Don't blame them."

Dominic's expression softened slightly. He pinched her earlobe gently. "You're grown yet acting like a child. If not for yourself, eat for our baby. Starvation harms you both."

"Not your concern!" Evelyn tried to pull away, her resolve weakening under his touch.

She turned her face, unable to bear looking at his devastating features.

Dominic's lips curved into a dangerous smile as his palm settled on her stomach. "You're my wife carrying my child. How is this not my concern?"

The staff took their cue to leave. "We'll reheat lunch immediately, Sir."

They efficiently cleared the table, granting the couple privacy.

Alone in the cavernous hall, Evelyn squirmed uncomfortably.

When she tried to move away, Dominic pulled her onto his lap. "Going somewhere?"

"Home." The word came out barely above a whisper.

She crossed her arms defensively between them.

Dominic's grip tightened. "Home? Where exactly is that?" His gravelly voice held warning.

Evelyn bit her lip, lashes fluttering. "To my grandfather and aunt. That's where I belong—"

Her words were cut off as Dominic captured her lips in a searing kiss, his tongue claiming her mouth ruthlessly.

She gasped for air, lightheaded from the assault.

Then pain exploded as he bit down sharply.

The metallic tang of blood flooded her mouth.

When Dominic finally released her, his gaze held a turbulent mix of tenderness and fury.

Evelyn touched her stinging lips in shock, heart pounding too loudly to speak.

This particular punishment always signaled his darkest moods.

"Never say that again." After the brutal kiss, he pressed a feather-light peck to her swollen lips. "Disobey me again, and I'll make sure you can't speak for days."

Tears welled in Evelyn's eyes like dew on rose petals. "I'm nothing but trouble for you, Dominic. You deserve better. Yes, I humiliated you by rejecting your proposal publicly, but it was for your own good. You don't understand—"

Dominic forced her to meet his gaze. "Was this about the recording?"

Evelyn froze. "How...how do you know about that?"

He tapped her forehead. "Foolish girl, why didn't you come to me? Am I so unimportant that you'd carry this alone? Or do you truly think me incapable of handling it?" His tone held equal parts reproach and self-recrimination.

The dam broke. Evelyn shook her head violently. "That woman has proof of you taking bribes! If I didn't comply, she'd release it. Your reputation would be destroyed—you could go to prison! You're the man I love most—I can't bear that. I'm powerless to help...I'm so sorry..."

Her anguish spilled out in ragged breaths.

Dominic pulled her close, an unexpected smile playing on his lips. "Look at you, crying over nothing. Don't worry, darling. I have everything under control."