Chapter 23

Dominic's fingers curled into a fist as he brutally shoved Evelyn's hand away, his voice dripping with venom. "Consider yourself lucky I'm letting you breathe. Another word and I'll make you regret it."

Evelyn's heart shattered at his merciless glare. The pain lodged in her throat, choking her.

There was no reasoning with him. No plea would soften that stone-cold heart. She slumped against the car seat, her hollow gaze fixed on the passing scenery. When the vehicle screeched to a halt outside St. Elizabeth Medical Center, rough hands hauled her out and dragged her toward the OB-GYN ward.

Dominic remained in the car, lighting a cigarette with trembling fingers.

Evelyn's tear-streaked face and the raw hatred in her eyes haunted him.

No. He wouldn't relent.

Betrayal demanded retribution.

The operating room doors hissed shut behind Evelyn.

Thirty agonizing minutes later, they slid open again.

"It's done," the doctor informed the guard. "But she needs observation for another hour."

The guard's mission was complete. With a curt nod, he abandoned the waiting area.

When Clara arrived, she found her daughter curled on a bench, eyes swollen from crying.

"Mom... it hurts so much," Evelyn whispered, her voice breaking.

Clara cradled her close. "Shh, my darling. We're going home. That monster will pay when the truth comes out."

Evelyn gave a broken laugh. "He won't. That man has no heart."

Arm in arm, they staggered toward a taxi.

As their cab disappeared, Dominic's car peeled away from the hospital.

Meanwhile, Julian received a summons to the Blackwood estate.

"Any idea what this is about?" Julian asked Mrs. Wilkins, sipping tea in the parlor. "Uncle Dominic banned me from this house."

The housekeeper wrung her hands. "I-I don't know anything."

She'd hidden in the pantry earlier, powerless as Evelyn was dragged away. The pregnancy revelation had stunned her—but Dominic forcing an abortion? After last night?

Tires crunched on gravel.

Julian sprang up, plastering on a smile as Dominic's wheelchair appeared. The evening sunlight did nothing to soften his uncle's glacial expression.

"Uncle Dominic, what did you want to—"

A boot slammed into Julian's stomach, sending him crashing to the marble floor.

"You've got nerve showing your face here," the bodyguard growled, pressing a shoe against Julian's throat. "Since you're family, pick your poison. How do you want to die?"

Julian's blood turned to ice.

"What did I do? Tell me!" he wheezed.

Dominic leaned forward, lips curling. "I just exterminated your little problem with Evelyn Thorne."

Julian's face drained of color.

"That's impossible! I never touched her! How could she be carrying my child?"

A beat of silence. Then realization dawned.

"Wait... you're saying Evelyn was pregnant?" Julian's voice cracked. "Uncle, if anyone's the father—it's you!"