Chapter 54

Evelyn caught the sharp scent of whiskey mixed with Dominic's distinctive cologne the moment he leaned in.

Her breath hitched when she noticed Lucas Grant's entourage pulling out their phones, lenses pointed directly at them.

They were clearly in cahoots with Lucas.

With a sudden burst of strength, Evelyn pushed Dominic away, only to immediately grab his arm when he staggered.

The chauffeur rushed over, and together they maneuvered Dominic into the backseat of the luxury sedan.

After securing his seatbelt, the driver handed Evelyn a chilled bottle of Evian.

Flushed from exertion, she uncapped it and took several deep swallows.

"That was for Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood," the driver murmured.

Heat flooded Evelyn's cheeks.

She hastily extended the bottle toward Dominic. "Would you like some water?"

His eyes remained closed, brows knitted in obvious discomfort.

No response.

Evelyn bit her lip. Had he not heard her, or was he deliberately ignoring her?

"Perhaps you could... assist him, ma'am," the driver suggested delicately.

Exhaling sharply, Evelyn reached to support Dominic's neck.

The instant her fingers brushed his warm skin, his eyes flew open - dark, dangerous, and completely sober.

Evelyn jerked back as if burned, hastily taking another gulp of water.

Dominic's piercing gaze tracked her movements, recalling the divorce documents he'd seen on her laptop earlier.

How exactly did she plan to execute this little scheme of hers?

The car glided through the night, the atmosphere thickening with each passing mile.

Evelyn's pulse skyrocketed under Dominic's unrelenting stare. She drained the bottle in record time.

With a sudden movement, Dominic snatched the empty bottle from her hands and hurled it across the car. The plastic cracked against the door.

"You want to divorce me because I made you terminate that bastard's child," he spat, voice dripping venom.

Cornered, Evelyn lifted her chin. "You have every right not to want children. But you don't get to strip me of my right to motherhood. If I want children, how else would I have them except through divorce?"

This issue was a jagged shard between them, destined to keep cutting unless resolved.

Dominic's eyes blazed. "Why this obsession with children? Do you find them so enchanting?"

Evelyn's nails bit into her palms. If she weren't already carrying his twins, she might have conceded.

But now? "Why are you so opposed? You're not the one carrying them or raising them! Why deny them existence?" Her voice rose, surprising even herself.

The driver's grip tightened on the wheel. Since when did Evelyn Thorne dare shout at Dominic Blackwood?

Did she truly believe his patience was infinite?

Just as the driver expected violence, deafening silence descended.

Eventually, Evelyn wiped her damp palms on her dress. "Everyone has their boundaries. What's the point of fighting?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Evelyn Thorne," Dominic said icily. "You're hardly irreplaceable."

"We're night and day. I never expected to stand as your equal," she countered.

"Who's night? Who's day?" Dominic's cryptic question caught her off guard.

Evelyn pressed her temples, the alcohol fumes suddenly overwhelming. She cranked down the window, gulping the night air.