Chapter 57

Robert Sinclair's head throbbed relentlessly the entire night after returning home.

Victoria Montgomery ransacked every corner of the house searching for the contract documents.

After an exhaustive search, she hissed to Sophia, "Your uncle's playing games with me. Why won't that bastard just drop dead already?"

"Are you insane?" Sophia grabbed her mother's arm. "We won't get the demolition compensation if he dies now. It's nearly a million dollars! You've never held that kind of money in your entire miserable life." She lowered her voice. "If he's going to die, he better wait until we secure those funds first."

Victoria kicked a stool aside. "This is all your fault that I'm stuck living this pathetic existence with him."

Three hours later, their search proved futile.

Victoria stormed into the bedroom to confirm Robert was asleep before joining her daughter for takeout.

As they cracked open lobster shells, Sophia asked, "Mom, who do you think he married before? A man of his status wouldn't hide his ex-wife's identity without reason."

"Use your brain," Victoria sneered. "That woman remarried into wealth. Women like her fear nothing more than their dirty past being exposed." She'd tear the house apart again tomorrow - she needed that name.

Sophia peeled another lobster. "I've collected photos of every socialite in the city from magazines, but none resemble Evelyn."

"That birth mother of hers is just as heartless. Abandoned her own flesh and blood for twenty years without a backward glance." Victoria's lips curled in disgust.

The next morning, Robert left the house.

Sophia followed her mother's instructions and tailed him discreetly.

She cursed herself for failing yesterday - she could have seen Evelyn's precious biological mother by now.

Robert took a taxi to an unremarkable café.

Sophia peered through the window and dialed her mother. "He's not meeting his ex. It's Evelyn."

"That ungrateful wretch!" Victoria's voice crackled with rage through the phone. "He wants to give our money to his bastard daughter? Over my dead body!"

Inside the café, Robert stirred his cappuccino with trembling hands.

Evelyn had noticed her father's distance over the past year. Each visit to the city left her unsettled - knowing he was nearby yet unreachable.

"I heard about your breakup with Nathan?" Robert asked bluntly.

Evelyn studied her father's prematurely aged face. The daughter in her ached at the sight, but she masked her concern - terrified any mention might push him further away.

Robert slid a medical file across the table with shaking hands.

Evelyn's breath caught at the words "Oncology Report." Her hands trembled as she flipped through the pages. "This can't be real!"

Five years ago, he'd barely survived cancer. Now the diagnosis showed terminal lung cancer...

"The tumors are inoperable," Robert admitted. The constant chest pain and labored breathing had become unbearable. "I kept my distance because I wanted you to learn independence. To thrive without me." His voice broke. "You grew up motherless yet surpassed every privileged child. You're strong, principled, kind..."

Tears spilled down Evelyn's cheeks onto the medical report.

"Before I go, your happiness is all that matters." Robert forced a smile that didn't reach his sorrowful eyes. "Find someone worthy, Evelyn. Let me see you settled. It's the only peace I'll have."

Evelyn listened in stunned silence.

"The house compensation will be your safety net. Not that I doubt your judgment - any man you choose would be devoted." He patted her hand. "But every woman needs security."

Evelyn noticed the report date - exactly when her father started withdrawing.

"Dad... How could you keep this from me?" Her voice shattered.

He should have sought treatment immediately. What if there'd been hope?

Thirty minutes later, Evelyn sat alone in the café.

Robert had excused himself, sparing her further pain.

Beside his untouched coffee sat the medical file and a handwritten note.

Evelyn's swollen eyes remained fixed on the documents. The unfairness crushed her - why did good people suffer most?

Outside, she called her father through tears. "Let's get you hospitalized. There might still be options..."

Five years ago, she'd helped save him once.

"Go on that arranged date first. If it goes well, I'll consider treatment." Robert cared more about this than his prognosis. He trusted Beatrice wouldn't harm her own daughter.

"I'll go," Evelyn whispered. Fresh tears fell at hearing his voice.

At the windy intersection, Evelyn ended the call and collapsed against a lamppost, weeping openly.

That weekend, Evelyn left her apartment barefaced for the blind date.

Olivia blocked the doorway. "Skip the date if you want, but aren't you meeting school friends tonight? At least some mascara?"

Evelyn shook her head. Makeup felt trivial when her world was crumbling.

"Fine. You've got that natural glow anyway." Olivia squeezed her hand. "Uncle Robert will pull through!"

She chattered nervously while walking Evelyn to the elevator.

Outside, Evelyn's mind still reeled from her father's diagnosis.

Head bowed, she didn't notice the figure approaching until a strong hand seized her wrist. Before she could react, familiar arms maneuvered her against a car door. The overpowering kiss that followed left her breathless.

Dominic Blackwood's lips claimed hers with desperate intensity.

After days apart on business, he'd rushed back craving this - her taste, her warmth, her very breath.

Evelyn didn't resist. In her grief, the familiarity comforted.

Only when her lips grew tender from his relentless attention did he pull back. His hot whisper seared her ear: "I want to devour you whole. Carry you inside me wherever I go."