Chapter 194

"You must be Evelyn." Zoe stepped forward with a practiced smile, extending her hand. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Zoe Montgomery."

Evelyn gave her a cursory glance, barely masking her disinterest. "Yeah. I was just leaving."

With that, Evelyn and Henry turned toward the exit.

Zoe watched their retreating figures, her gaze lingering longer than necessary.

Evelyn was far more striking than she'd anticipated—youthful radiance with an effortless elegance that made Zoe's fingers curl into her palms.

Why had she come to see Dominic today? And that boy... could he be Dominic's son?

Was this some pathetic attempt to rekindle their relationship using the child as leverage?

The thought left a bitter taste in Zoe's mouth.

Would Dominic actually consider taking her back because of this?

"Dominic, I apologize for dropping by unannounced." Zoe gestured to the ornate cake box on the marble counter. "A friend gifted this for my birthday, but it's too much for one person. I thought you might enjoy some."

Dominic's eyes flickered to the dessert. "Happy birthday. Did you receive the package I sent?"

Zoe's perfectly manicured fingers stilled. "There was a delivery this afternoon... I hadn't realized it was from you. I haven't opened it yet."

A curt nod. "I don't eat sweets. Neither does Sophia." He turned toward his sister, guiding her toward the staircase. "Mrs. Wilkins might join you."

As their footsteps faded, Zoe carefully unpacked the cake, her movements deliberate.

"Mrs. Wilkins," she began, slicing a generous portion, "how long was Evelyn here?"

The housekeeper accepted the plate. "Not long. She came to collect her son."

"Oh?" Zoe's knife hovered over the cake. "That boy was hers? He seemed... rather mature for his age."

"Adopted," Mrs. Wilkins clarified.

Zoe's shoulders relaxed imperceptibly. "I'd assumed he might be... theirs."

"They did have a child together." The housekeeper spoke as if discussing the weather. "Had they not terminated the pregnancy, that child would be about Henry's age now." She saw no harm in the revelation—it was ancient history. "I suspect Evelyn adopted to fill that void."

Zoe's fork tinked against her plate. "Why did they...?"

"Mr. Blackwood didn't want children." Mrs. Wilkins lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Miss Montgomery, if I may advise—if you wish to remain in his life, never mention starting a family. Even if you conceived, he'd demand termination."

Zoe's nod was almost eager. "Thank you for the warning."

———

The car ride home was thick with unspoken questions.

"Did Dominic mistreat you?" Evelyn's grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Henry didn't look up from his sketchpad. "No."

"Was he... cruel?"

"No."

Evelyn exhaled shakily. "Henry, perhaps we should consider transferring schools."

"Unnecessary."

"You enjoy Willowbrook that much?"

A shrug. "It's tolerable."

Truthfully, he preferred the solitude. No pesky classmates, no forced socialization. Teachers treated him like a prodigy, granting unprecedented freedom—more than even his mother allowed.

Evelyn chewed her lip. "What if Dominic takes you again? Next time—"

"He's my father." Henry interrupted, folding a precisely creased paper crane.

Evelyn's breath hitched. "What makes you say that?"

"We share facial structure." His clinical tone contrasted with the childish origami.

Evelyn's laugh bordered on hysterical. "Is it really that obvious?"