Chapter 135

Evelyn couldn't resist the temptation. Her fingers hovered over the text message from Lucas before tapping it open.

(Your wife’s got a great voice! It’s a shame she’s not a singer!)

She hadn’t expected to stumble upon Dominic’s phone.

If he had set a passcode, she wouldn’t have been able to access it, but luck—or carelessness—was on her side.

After Lucas’s message, a video of Evelyn’s performance followed.

Sophie had already sent her the same clip earlier, gushing about how it was blowing up on the university’s online forum.

Evelyn quickly exited the message and placed the phone back where she’d found it.

But then—her finger slipped.

The screen flickered, and suddenly, Dominic’s photo gallery was open, images flashing before her eyes.

When Dominic stepped out of the bathroom, towel slung low on his hips, Evelyn gestured for him to sit beside her on the bed.

"I suddenly feel like cooking," she announced, tilting her head. "Should I make meals for you from now on?"

Dominic blinked, his damp hair tousled. "Are you serious?"

"I am!" Her voice was bright with enthusiasm. "No promises on quality, though. I’ve never really cooked before."

"You could try tomorrow," he suggested, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Deal!" She grinned, then let her gaze drift over his gray bathrobe. "You look good in light colors. You should wear them more often."

"I still got called your uncle, though."

Evelyn laughed, reaching up to cradle his face in her hands. "Maybe he was just teasing you. You looked incredibly handsome tonight."

Dominic’s large hand covered hers, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "Why the sudden affection?"

Heat rushed to her cheeks under his intense gaze.

She buried her face against his neck, murmuring, "No reason. I just wanted to hold you."

A warmth spread through Dominic’s chest at her words. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

Time slipped away after Christmas.

Dominic spent his days either buried in work in his study or leaning against the kitchen counter, watching Evelyn attempt to master cooking.

Evelyn, meanwhile, poured all her energy into perfecting her culinary skills.

On New Year’s Eve, Eleanor called first thing in the morning, reminding them to visit the family estate.

They took their time with breakfast before heading out, hands entwined.

"Should we have lunch with your mother first?" Dominic asked as they walked.

Evelyn had refused his suggestion to bring Clara along.

Even if she had agreed, Clara wouldn’t have come.

Evelyn smiled softly. "It’s fine. I just want today to be about us. It’s our first New Year’s Eve together, after all."

"There will be many more," he promised.

Her eyes flickered to the window. "Look at the snow! It’s perfect for building a snowman. Let’s do it!"

Dominic almost teased her for the childish idea, but he held back.

He wouldn’t ruin her excitement.

After lunch, Evelyn dragged him outside, their laughter ringing through the crisp winter air as they shaped snow into a lopsided figure.

The rest of the Blackwood family watched from a distance, murmuring among themselves.

It had been years since they’d seen Dominic laugh so freely—carefree, almost boyish.

"Are you happy, Dominic?" Evelyn asked suddenly, staring at their finished snowman.

"I am."

I’m happy as long as I’m with you, he thought, but kept the words to himself.