Chapter 251

"Dominic, drink some water." Zoe Montgomery adjusted his pillow and held the bottle to his lips. "You must feel terrible. This will help."

Back in the banquet hall, Evelyn Thorne was painfully sober. It was worse than being drunk. She knew she couldn't keep getting tangled up with Dominic Blackwood. Nothing good would come of it.

"Zoe is such a pretentious witch!" Sophie Mercer huffed, coming to Evelyn's side. "Don't listen to a word she says. She should take a long look in the mirror first."

Evelyn grabbed her purse, ready to leave. "I'm not mad at her. I'm mad at myself."

"You didn't do anything wrong," Sophie insisted.

"I'm being delusional," Evelyn muttered, more to herself than to Sophie. "Part of me still thinks there's a chance for us... Sophie, slap me if you ever catch me near him again."

Sophie nodded firmly. She only wanted what was best for her friend. "Come on, I'll drive you home," she said, looping an arm around Evelyn. "Don't worry about the others—Adrian will handle everything."

As they stepped into the elevator, Evelyn spotted Dominic's car parked below. "Oh, look at you," Sophie teased, noticing where Evelyn's gaze had landed. "Can't even resist staring at his car. Pathetic." She smirked before adding, "Relax, I heard Zoe booked a room here. Dominic's too wasted tonight—nothing's happening between them."

"Was that little detail really necessary?" Evelyn shot back.

"Buckle up, buttercup," Sophie quipped, starting the engine. "Get some rest tonight, Ev. You deserve better."

Evelyn felt a pang of warmth at her friend's words. Just as she was about to respond, her phone rang. Mrs. Wilkins's name flashed on the screen.

Evelyn hesitated but answered. Before she could speak, a heart-wrenching sob crackled through the line.

It was Sophia, crying uncontrollably. Sophie, about to pull out of the parking lot, froze at the sound.

"Evelyn, I couldn't reach Master Dominic," Mrs. Wilkins said, voice strained. "I had no choice but to call you. Sophia's been crying for him all day. She won't calm down. Is he still at the party? Could you please tell him?"

Of course this would happen the moment Evelyn vowed to cut ties with him forever.

"Tell her no," Sophie whispered urgently.

Evelyn opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat. Sophia's cries were unbearable.

"I'll get him," Evelyn said firmly before hanging up.

Sophie groaned. "Evelyn—"

"I'll take a cab later. Go home and rest, Soph," Evelyn said, already stepping out of the car. Though her eyes were red and her voice rough, her resolve was clear. "I know what I'm doing."

The door shut behind her.

As Sophie watched Evelyn stride back into the hotel, she remembered Adrian's warning: Either they reconcile, or they become enemies for life.

Evelyn approached the front desk. "What room is Zoe Montgomery in?"

"V906," the receptionist replied.

Evelyn took a steadying breath and pressed the doorbell. Silence.

She tried again. Nothing.

Just as she turned to leave, the door creaked open. Dominic stood there, shirt misbuttoned, his skin flushed from alcohol. A migraine had his brows knitted together.

Then his bloodshot eyes locked onto her.

In one swift motion, he yanked her into his arms.