Chapter 82

Evelyn clutched the bowls and chopsticks tightly. Her apologetic gaze met Dominic's across the wooden table.

Dominic probably despised Nathan. When Grandpa addressed him as Nathan, though it stung, he swallowed his pride for now.

"Grandpa, you should eat more." Dominic didn't correct the old man, instead ensuring he ate first. After serving Grandpa, he placed two perfect rib pieces on Evelyn's plate.

"Thank you." Evelyn picked at her rice grains, not daring to meet his eyes. She nibbled the rice before tasting the ribs he'd chosen for her.

That's when Evelyn noticed - the ribs Dominic selected for both Grandpa and herself were the choicest cuts. Single-bone portions with tender meat that fell right off.

He'd taken the tough backbone pieces for himself.

In this small town, butchers sold ribs with backbones attached - no fancy cuts here.

Evelyn selected a prime rib and placed it in Dominic's bowl. "You should eat too. Don't just serve Grandpa and me."

"Not hungry yet." He returned the rib to her plate.

Grandpa observed their interaction with keen eyes. The old man had lived seventy-odd years - he'd seen every type of person. He could spot genuine care from a mile away.

"My Evelyn grew up tough," Grandpa said, voice cracking. "Survived on bread scraps, wore other children's castoffs. Her father worked tirelessly while her mother... vanished after birth. This child endured hardships that shaped her. Thinking about it breaks my heart..."

Tears welled in the old man's eyes as memories surfaced.

"The granddaughter you raised surpasses any spoiled socialite. Don't blame yourself," Dominic said, his gaze lingering on Evelyn.

"Let's eat. No need for sad stories. I'm doing fine now..." Evelyn knew why Grandpa regretted things, but none of it was his fault. Or her father's. Only that woman who abandoned her at birth bore the blame.

Grandpa studied his grandson-in-law with wise eyes. "When I first saw your fine clothes and that luxury car outside, I feared you'd break my Evelyn's heart. I misjudged you."

Dominic steadied Grandpa's hand. "Actually, I need your help convincing Evelyn not to run from our marriage."

Grandpa's expression turned stern. "If my Evelyn dares jilt you, I'll personally break her ungrateful legs!"

Evelyn choked on her tea.

That evening, after a long day, Evelyn walked Dominic to the town's only hotel.

She nearly warned him about the modest accommodations, then remembered he'd lived here a year before. She bit her tongue.

Approaching the black Range Rover parked outside, Evelyn walked on Dominic's left. "I'm sorry about Grandpa calling you Nathan. Correcting him would raise questions he'd lose sleep over."

"As long as the grandson-in-law he sees is me, the name doesn't matter." Dominic's dark eyes burned with possessiveness.

A lone shop still had its lights on. Evelyn entered. "Do you sell phone chargers?"

The shopkeeper eyed their city attire warily. "What phone type?"

Evelyn's iPhone charger didn't fit Dominic's device. He showed his phone.

The shopkeeper didn't dare touch it. "We only carry Huawei and Xiaomi chargers here. Never seen a phone like that."

"Thanks anyway." They left empty-handed after checking several shops.

Evelyn guessed Dominic had rushed here without his charger. "Maybe you should drive back tonight? It's only two hours."

A man like Dominic had businesses to run. With his phone dead, no one could reach him.

Dominic's jaw tightened. The company would survive with Sebastian managing things. That's why he paid those exorbitant salaries.

"Nothing matters more than you," Dominic murmured, his deep voice curling around her.

Thankfully, the dim streetlights hid her flushed cheeks. "Let's get you settled at the hotel."

"And where will you stay?" Dominic asked as they reached the entrance.

Evelyn approached the front desk. "Your best room, please." She paid cash while Dominic produced his ID.

The clerk gaped at Dominic's A City residence card, then at the man himself - tall, imposing, his sharp features making the humble lobby feel like a throne room.

"I've given him our finest room," the clerk whispered.

Key in hand, Dominic guided Evelyn upstairs. Inside, he scanned the modest room before pinning her against the wall, caging her with his arms. "This place is dreadful. Let me stay at Grandpa's."

Evelyn glanced around. The hotel might be basic, but it beat Grandpa's crumbling house. "No space. We don't have enough rooms—"

Dominic silenced her with a searing kiss, hands gripping her waist. His tongue demanded entry as he backed her toward the bed.

"Don't—" Her protest died when he flipped her onto the mattress, his suit-clad body pressing down.

Just then, a woman's moans from the adjacent room made Evelyn freeze.

"You devil...When did you...come in...Ah!...Aren't you afraid...your wife...will find out...Ahhh!"

That voice—Victoria's voice!