Chapter 530

The moment Alexander laid eyes on Evelyn, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

After an exhausting business dinner that ran late into the night, he'd finally returned home well past midnight. Now, holding the woman he'd been craving all day, Alexander felt an intense wave of satisfaction wash over him.

He was already regretting his decision.

Just one day apart, and he couldn't stand being separated from her.

If he'd known it would feel like this, he never would have agreed to let her stay at the orchestra residence.

"I just wanted to see you for a moment. I'll leave soon. Did I wake you?"

"Not at all."

They stood wrapped in each other's arms outside the orchestra building, completely lost in their private world.

Evelyn never expected Alexander would come looking for her so late at night.

It made her heart flutter, knowing he cared this deeply.

They were so absorbed in each other that neither noticed the figure watching them from behind a massive oak tree fifty meters away.

Dominic pressed his tongue against his cheek, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Unable to sleep due to the throbbing pain in his shoulder wound, he'd asked Nathaniel to wheel him outside for some fresh air.

He never imagined they'd stumble upon such an intimate scene right after stepping out.

Dominic's fingers absently played with the dagger at his waist as he spoke with feigned indifference. "Nathaniel, what does it mean when a woman carries a man's handkerchief with her at all times?"

Nathaniel hesitated before answering, "I suppose it means she has feelings for him?"

Dominic nearly choked on his cigarette smoke at the response.

"So Evelyn has feelings for me, then?"

Earlier that evening, she'd used the handkerchief he'd given her days ago to dress his shoulder wound.

The sight of Evelyn casually producing that handkerchief had frozen him momentarily.

Exhaling a slow stream of smoke, Dominic adjusted his collar. "If she likes me, then why did she refuse when I asked her to come to my bed?" Nathaniel fell silent.

He wiped his forehead nervously, suddenly regretting his earlier answer.

After an awkward pause, Nathaniel ventured, "Perhaps...she's just being coy?"

Dominic's gaze darkened as he watched the embracing couple. "If she's interested in me, why is she wrapped around another man?" Hearing the dangerous edge in Dominic's voice, Nathaniel went completely still.

He lowered his head, pretending not to hear.

Evelyn stood quietly in her nightgown.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, a few loose strands resting on her shoulders, with slender legs visible beneath the hem.

Despite her pregnancy, her figure remained delicate. She looked more like a university student than an expectant mother.

Dominic frowned, studying the couple intently. "Tell me honestly - am I inferior to Alexander in any way?"

Nathaniel immediately responded, "Mr. Powell, you surpass him in every aspect!"

"We've both been through similar hardships, our experiences mirror each other." Dominic stubbed out his cigarette and sheathed his knife.

"So her relationship with Alexander must be just for show. Why else would she suddenly move to the orchestra? Isn't it because she knows Powell Manor is next door? She wants to be closer to me." A slow smile spread across Dominic's face.

Across the way, after their brief embrace, Evelyn returned to the orchestra alone.

If a woman truly cared for a man, she'd watch his car drive away before going inside.

But she didn't.

Dominic's eyes followed Evelyn's retreating figure.

"She offered to treat my injury just to spend more time with me."

"Moving to the orchestra was her way of escaping her current relationship, avoiding daily contact with him."

"She refused my advances because she's afraid I'd lose interest after having her. Classic playing hard to get."

Dominic's lips tightened, his usually cold voice softening unexpectedly.

"I'm only now realizing how deeply she cares for me."