Chapter 466

Evelyn lifted her eyes to meet Michael's gaze, her spoon hovering mid-air. "Can we please have one peaceful meal without the interrogation?" she sighed. "We didn't discuss any of what you're implying!"

Michael's eyebrows shot up. "Then what exactly did you and Dominic talk about all afternoon?" He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "And why was he upstairs? Did he sleep in your room? Hmm?"

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn countered, "Do I ever grill you when Nathan stays over?"

"That's completely different!" Michael threw his hands up. "Nathan's my boyfriend. Is Dominic Blackwood your boyfriend?" His lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Or are you planning to remarry your ex-husband?"

Evelyn's fork clattered against her plate.

"You're impossible," she muttered, pressing her fingers to her temples.

"Fine, fine," Michael relented, noticing how thin she'd become. "Eat your dinner before it gets cold."

The soup still steamed as Evelyn brought a spoonful to her lips.

Two pairs of wide eyes watched her every move from across the table.

Evelyn's cheeks pinkened under their scrutiny. "What's with the staring contest?"

"Mommy," Lily whispered, her small hands clutching the table edge, "will you still love Henry and me when the new baby comes?"

Evelyn's heart clenched. "Sweetheart, of course!" She reached across to squeeze Lily's hand. "Nothing could ever change how much I love you both."

It was precisely because she loved them so fiercely that she couldn't risk Dominic discovering their existence.

Lily's shoulders relaxed, but curiosity still danced in her eyes. "Is it a boy baby or a girl baby?"

A chuckle escaped Evelyn's lips.

"It's too early to tell, darling. The baby's still smaller than a blueberry."

Lily's mouth formed a perfect O.

"Really?"

"Even smaller than your pinky fingernail right now!"

The four-year-old gasped, examining her own hand.

"Was Henry and me that tiny too?"

"Every person starts out that small," Evelyn explained gently. "Then we grow bit by bit."

Lily nodded sagely before her next question tumbled out. "Why aren't you eating more? Does the baby not like food?"

Henry, ever the protective older brother, tugged Lily's sleeve. "Come on, let's go finish our puzzle." He shot Evelyn an apologetic look as he led his sister away.

Michael took a long sip of water before settling beside Evelyn.

"You really dropped a bombshell with this pregnancy," he murmured. "You should've prepared the kids first... They've been out of sorts since yesterday."

Evelyn pushed her food around the plate. "Dominic insisted on keeping it."

Michael nearly choked. "Wait - you're giving him custody after the birth?"

"That's the current arrangement," Evelyn admitted. "But things could change."

"Smart thinking." Michael nodded approvingly. "First priority is getting through the pregnancy safely. You shouldn't be working in your condition."

"Morning sickness usually eases after the first trimester. I'll return to the office then."

Michael gave her a pointed look. "Is work worth risking the baby? If anything happens, Dominic will lose his mind."

Evelyn frowned. "Since when do you understand him so well?"

"I don't need to understand him to recognize crazy when I see it!" Michael threw up his hands. "Mark my words - if you miscarry, that man will have you pregnant again before you can blink."

His words twisted like a knife in Evelyn's gut.

Meanwhile, at Blackwood Manor, a Rolls-Royce glided to a stop on the circular driveway. Dominic had barely stepped out when Sophia clung to his arm.

"Big brother, my ID card!" Her anxious eyes searched his face.

Dominic suppressed a sigh. "Which is more important - me or that plastic card?"

Sophia considered this seriously. "Both."

Her unexpected clarity surprised him. Today had been full of miracles - not only was Sophia showing remarkable progress, but Evelyn was carrying his child.

Leading her to his study, Dominic retrieved the precious document. "This is important, Sophia," he said, placing it in her careful hands. "If you ever lose it, you must tell me immediately."