Chapter 182

The sudden crash of the door slamming open made Evelyn and Mike jump in their seats. Their heads snapped toward the entrance, where Dominic stood like a storm cloud, his expression dark and foreboding.

"Hey there, Evelyn's ex!" Mike hopped off the desk with a grin, completely oblivious to the danger radiating from the man in the doorway.

Evelyn's pulse spiked. Mike had no idea who he was dealing with—Dominic Blackwood wasn't just intimidating; he was downright terrifying when provoked. She lunged forward, grabbing Mike's arm and yanking him back before he could take another step.

Dominic's jaw tightened. His fingers curled into fists, crumpling the paper in his grip. He took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them until Evelyn could feel the heat of his anger.

Her instincts screamed at her to get Mike out of there. Now.

"Wait outside," she ordered, shoving Mike toward the door before slamming it shut behind him.

The moment they were alone, Dominic's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "Who the hell is that?"

Evelyn squared her shoulders. Without an audience, she refused to cower.

"Dominic, don't push me. I don't want to argue with you." She snatched the paper from his hand, her breath hitching when she saw the name printed there.

Henry Thorne.

Her stomach twisted. Fear clawed up her throat, but she forced herself to stay composed.

Dominic's icy gaze bore into her. "Evelyn Thorne. Is this child mine?"

The accusation hung in the air, sharp and unrelenting.

Evelyn didn't hesitate. "No. Our child was gone a long time ago. Henry is adopted. I took him in while I was overseas."

It was a lie. It had to be. If Dominic ever found out the truth, he'd tear her world apart. He despised children—had sworn never to have any. And Henry… Henry wasn't like other kids. She couldn't risk what Dominic might do if he got his hands on him.

"Adopted?" Dominic's brow furrowed. "Why would you adopt a child?"

"Because he needed someone," she snapped. "And this is the last time I'm explaining myself to you. Stay out of my life. If you're so bored, go entertain your girlfriend."

She tossed the paper into the shredder, watching it disappear in jagged strips.

Dominic's anger flickered, replaced by something colder. "Evelyn, your new boyfriend is a joke. You could do better."

The words stung, but she refused to let him see it.

"Funny, I was thinking the same about your girlfriend. Should've stuck with Bianca. At least she had class."

Dominic's jaw clenched. "You've never even met Zoe. She's ten times the woman Bianca ever was."

Evelyn arched a brow. "And what do you know about Mike? He might look like a mess, but he's got a heart of gold. Unlike some people who juggle three relationships at once."

Dominic's face went pale. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving Evelyn standing there, her hands trembling.