Chapter 5

Evelyn was so startled that she stumbled backward, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

Dominic was like a predator emerging from the shadows—silent, lethal, and utterly terrifying. When he had been unconscious, there had been an eerie stillness about him. But now, awake, his presence was suffocating, his gaze sharp enough to cut through steel.

Mrs. Wilkins stepped out of the room and closed the door softly behind her.

She took one look at Evelyn, who stood frozen like a deer in headlights, and offered a gentle smile. "Don't be afraid, Madam. Master Dominic has just woken up. He needs time to adjust. Let me show you to the guest room for tonight. We can discuss everything in the morning. Lady Eleanor adores you—she may yet sway him in your favor."

Evelyn's mind was a whirlwind of panic. She had prepared herself for the possibility of Dominic never waking up. But this? This was something she hadn't dared consider.

"Mrs. Wilkins, my things—they're still in the master bedroom," Evelyn said, casting a nervous glance toward the closed door.

After the venomous glare Dominic had thrown her way, she doubted he would ever accept her as his wife. She needed to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Mrs. Wilkins sighed. "If it's nothing urgent, leave it for now. I'll fetch your belongings tomorrow."

Evelyn nodded stiffly. Then, hesitantly, she asked, "Are you… afraid of him?"

"I've served him for years," Mrs. Wilkins replied. "He may seem harsh, but he has never been cruel to me."

Evelyn swallowed hard and said nothing more.

She might be his wife in name, but this was their first real meeting. His hostility wasn't entirely unexpected.

Sleep didn't come easily that night. Evelyn's thoughts were a tangled mess, her future suddenly uncertain. Dominic's awakening had shattered the fragile stability she'd built.

By eight the next morning, Mrs. Wilkins had retrieved Evelyn's belongings from the master bedroom and delivered them to the guest room.

"It's time for breakfast, Madam," she announced. "Master Dominic is already in the dining room. You should join him. Perhaps you can… talk."

Evelyn grimaced. "I doubt he wants to talk to me."

"You still need to eat," Mrs. Wilkins insisted. "Come now. He didn’t even argue when I mentioned Lady Eleanor’s fondness for you. That’s progress."

When Evelyn entered the dining room, her gaze immediately landed on Dominic, seated in his wheelchair.

Despite his condition, his posture was rigid, his presence commanding. If he stood, she imagined he would tower over her, his frame strong and imposing.

Unease coiled in her stomach as she took her seat. Mrs. Wilkins placed a plate in front of her, but Dominic didn’t so much as glance her way.

Evelyn picked up her fork, then hesitated. Against her better judgment, she stole a quick look at him—only to find his dark eyes already fixed on her.

His gaze was like a void, endless and consuming.

"Um… I'm Evelyn Thorne," she managed, her voice unsteady.

Dominic lifted his coffee cup, taking a slow sip before speaking. His voice was ice. "I heard you might be carrying my child."

Evelyn's stomach dropped. Her appetite vanished.

"Would you prefer surgical or medical termination?"

His words were calm, detached, as if discussing the weather.

Evelyn's face drained of color. Her mind went blank.

Mrs. Wilkins, horrified, broke protocol. "Master Dominic, the child was Lady Eleanor’s wish. Madam Evelyn had no say in the matter."

"Don’t use my mother against me," Dominic snapped, his glare silencing her instantly.

"Dominic—" Evelyn began.

"Who gave you permission to use my name?"

Evelyn blinked, then retorted, "What should I call you, then? Darling?"

His lips thinned, fury flashing in his eyes.

Before he could explode, Evelyn hurried to defuse the tension. "I’m not pregnant. I got my period. Ask the maid, Mrs. Dawson, if you don’t believe me. I asked her for a tampon this morning."

Dominic said nothing. He simply took another sip of his coffee.

Evelyn’s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to eat, shoveling food into her mouth as quickly as possible.

The moment she finished, she stood. "I’ll get my bag."

Being near Dominic was unbearable.

"Prepare your documents. We’re divorcing soon," he said coldly.

Evelyn paused, but she wasn’t surprised.

"Today?"

"In a few days."

Lady Eleanor had been so shocked the previous night that she’d been hospitalized for high blood pressure. Dominic wouldn’t finalize anything until she was stable.

"Fine. Let me know when," Evelyn said before fleeing to her room.

Five minutes later, she emerged with her bag—only to freeze at the sight of a familiar figure in the living room.

Julian.

He stood stiffly beside Dominic’s wheelchair, looking like a kicked puppy.

"Uncle Dominic, my parents are at the hospital with Grandmother. Father sent me to check on you," Julian said, gesturing to a box of supplements on the table.

Dominic flicked a glance at his bodyguard.

The man immediately snatched the box and tossed it out the door.

"Uncle Dominic!" Julian yelped. "Those are the finest supplements available! If you don’t like them, I can get something else—please, don’t be angry!"

Before he could finish, another bodyguard kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to the ground.

Evelyn held her breath, stunned.

Dominic was treating his own nephew like this?

"My dear nephew," Dominic drawled, lighting a cigarette. "You must be so disappointed I woke up."

Evelyn’s jaw dropped.

He had just regained consciousness last night, and now he was drinking coffee and smoking? Did he have a death wish?

Julian whimpered, his knees aching. "No! I’m happy you’re awake! I always prayed you’d—"

"Are you arguing with me?" Dominic arched a brow, his tone deceptively mild. "Going to admit you bribed my lawyer now?"

He flicked ash onto Julian’s face, then snarled, "Get out. Piss me off again, and I’ll feed you to the hounds."

Julian scrambled away, trembling.

Evelyn’s pulse raced.

She was terrified.

Terrified of Dominic.

Even a snake like Julian looked pitiful next to him.

She clutched her bag tighter and hurried out, desperate to escape.

She had a doctor’s appointment today.

Her period had been unusually light—something that had never happened before.

At the hospital, she explained her symptoms. The doctor ordered an ultrasound.

An hour later, the results came back.

No signs of uterine bleeding.

But there was a gestational sac.

She was pregnant.