Chapter 171

"It's our girls' night. Why would I invite him?" Sophie poured a glass of wine and slid it across the table toward Evelyn. "What kept you up last night? Those dark circles could rival a raccoon's."

Evelyn lifted the glass and took a slow sip. "Just binge-watching dramas. Nothing serious."

"Please." Sophie rolled her eyes. "That smile is so forced it looks like it's glued on. Spill it. Still hung up on Dominic, aren't you?"

Evelyn nearly choked on her wine. "Sophie, do I really seem that naive?"

Sophie nodded without hesitation. "You may run a multi-million-dollar company, but when it comes to love? Absolutely."

Meanwhile, at a secluded corner table, Lucas was refilling Dominic’s glass.

This was the only upscale restaurant near St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

"Dom, I won’t pry about you and Sophia. Just wanted to grab a drink with you." Lucas swirled his wine thoughtfully. "By the way, is Dr. Montgomery really as brilliant as they say?"

Dominic took a measured sip. "She performed Sophia’s surgery. Still no change in her condition."

"Hmm… If it works, what’s your reward for her?" Lucas arched a brow, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"Whatever she asks."

"And if what she wants… is you?" Lucas smirked. "Evelyn couldn’t handle your heart belonging to Sophia, but some women don’t care. Take Bianca, for example. What if Zoe doesn’t either? What then?"

Dominic shot him a sharp look. "She lives overseas. This was just a temporary visit."

"If you offered her a ring, she’d drop everything in a heartbeat." Lucas chuckled. "Face it—you’re catnip to women."

"Dr. Montgomery isn’t like that," Dominic stated firmly.

Lucas shrugged and let the subject drop.

Then, his gaze snagged on a familiar figure. "Dom, isn’t that Sophie over there? And the woman with her… from the back, she looks just like Evelyn."

Squinting, Lucas stood abruptly and strode toward their table before Dominic could respond.

Dominic’s eyes followed—and instantly locked onto Evelyn.

He’d recognize that silhouette anywhere.

Even after four years, Nathan had said she hadn’t changed much.

"Sophie, where’s Adrian?" Lucas’s question was directed at Sophie, but his attention was fixed on Evelyn. "Wait—is that Miss Thorne?"

Evelyn startled at the sudden interruption.

Lucas eyed the wineglass in her hand and sighed dramatically. "You never drank before. Guess time changes people. Perfect timing—Dom and I are having a drink too. Join us!"

Without waiting for an answer, he dashed back to grab another bottle and two glasses, then dragged Dominic over.

Evelyn sat frozen.

Sophie scowled. "This is a private dinner. Since when did you two get an invitation?"

"Last time we had dinner, you called me ‘brother.’ Forgotten already?" Lucas teased. "And Dom and Evelyn were married once. Divorced or not, they can still be civil, right, Miss Thorne?"

Evelyn rubbed her temple, flustered.

Civil?

Even drunk off her feet, civil was impossible with Dominic.

"Evelyn, I didn’t mean to stand you up earlier." Dominic stood beside her, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his wineglass.

His deep gaze bore into her.

She looked exactly as he remembered—only softer now, more refined.

"No explanations needed. I wasn’t waiting for one." Evelyn met his eyes with a practiced smile. "Actually, I just remembered an urgent matter. Excuse me."

She stood to leave—but Dominic blocked her path like an immovable wall.