Chapter 367

The moment Evelyn reached to switch off the lights, Dominic could see the silent tears tracing down her cheeks.

Though his body had found release, his soul remained restless.

Her continued silence twisted the knife deeper in his chest.

Only the dim glow of street lamps illuminated the bedroom. He studied the rigid line of her back, his brows knitting together.

An irresistible urge to close the distance between them seized him. His arm snaked out, fingers brushing her shoulder.

She recoiled violently the instant his warmth touched her skin. "Don't touch me!" Her voice cracked like shattered glass.

"Not happening." His arms became steel bands around her trembling form. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling her familiar lavender scent. "I'm staying."

Evelyn felt like a butterfly pinned to a board - trapped, helpless, exposed.

Dominic hadn't been cruel this time. But neither had he been kind.

"When has my consent ever mattered?" The bitter thought coiled in her mind. "He takes what he wants without asking. Leaves when it suits him. My feelings are irrelevant."

Morning came too soon. At precisely seven, Evelyn's eyes fluttered open.

The man beside her stirred, bleary-eyed, before rolling over with a grunt.

She dressed in record time and slipped out unnoticed.

Her children were already awake. Henry was carefully combing Lily's tangled curls.

The memory of their frightened cries last night stabbed through Evelyn's heart. She took a steadying breath before entering. "My brilliant babies! You didn't even need Mommy to wake you today!"

She enveloped them in a tight embrace.

"Mommy! Is that mean Dominic gone? Did he hurt you?" Lily's tiny hands gripped Evelyn's sleeves as she scrutinized her mother for injuries.

Evelyn forced a smile. "He didn't hurt me. And if he ever tries, I'll make him regret it. Okay, sweetheart?"

Lily exhaled dramatically. "I knew my mommy could beat up any bad guy!"

"That's right!" Turning to Henry, she ruffled his hair. "How about I take my favorite people out for breakfast?"

Henry nodded stiffly.

"I'm fine, really." She fetched his favorite cap from the closet. "You love hats, don't you? I'll buy you the coolest ones in town."

Henry's jaw clenched. Evelyn could practically feel his anger radiating - he hadn't forgotten how she'd ignored their cries last night.

Guilt churned in her stomach.

After helping them wash up, they headed for the door. Passing the master bedroom, Henry glared at the closed door. He just knew Dominic was still inside.

At nine sharp, Blackwood family bodyguards delivered fresh clothes to Mooncrest Manor.

Dominic was tying his tie when his phone rang. He answered while descending the stairs.

Nathan's panicked voice crackled through. "Mr. Blackwood! Our mainframe's been breached! The hacker left... a message."

Dominic froze. "Continue."

"He claims to be your father. Says to 'learn your place' or he'll crash our systems daily."