Chapter 20

Evelyn woke with a pounding headache and immediately rushed to the bathroom to vomit.

"Evelyn, I remember you used to handle alcohol so well," Dominic remarked, watching her with concern. "What happened last night?"

He quickly handed her a glass of water and retrieved the hangover medication from the cabinet.

"I haven't touched alcohol in three years," Evelyn rasped, wiping her mouth. "Of course I'd get wasted drinking that much suddenly."

She remembered how Nathan despised the smell of liquor on women. She'd given up drinking entirely during their marriage.

Dominic smirked. "I know you're hungover, but anyone else would think you have morning sickness."

Evelyn's eyes darkened. "What if I really was pregnant with Nathan's child? What would you all do?"

"We'd raise the kid, obviously!" Dominic declared. "No matter what, the child would be innocent."

Despite his hatred for Nathan, Dominic's prosecutor's ethics wouldn't allow him to condemn an unborn child.

Evelyn scoffed. "Don't worry. I'd never carry his child. He's not worth it!" She gulped more water to clear her throat.

"By the way," Dominic said casually, "do you remember anything from last night?"

"I remember confronting Damian Sterling. Nathan showed up at some point, but everything after is fuzzy."

"You really don't recall?"

"I think there was another handsome guy who helped me?" Evelyn groaned. "Damn, I was too drunk to get his number!"

"That was Julian Montgomery. VELVET is his new club."

Evelyn immediately lost interest at the notorious playboy's name. "Never mind then."

Dominic's eyes twinkled. "Did you know Nathan dragged you into the men's restroom?"

Evelyn's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"I don't know what happened in there. When I found you, you were hugging him and wiping your nose on his shirt." Dominic shook his head at the memory.

Evelyn gasped in horror.

"If I hadn't arrived when I did, that bastard might have—"

"He wouldn't," Evelyn cut in. "Nathan isn't like Julian."

Dominic scowled. "Why are you defending him?"

"I'm not. He's just... decent in that way. Just not to me." The words made her heart ache unexpectedly.

"Oh, but get this—he actually asked if I'd marry you. Told me not to play with your feelings." Dominic snorted. "Said you're a fragile woman who can't take more heartbreak."

"The audacity!" Evelyn's fist connected with Dominic's cheek before she could stop herself.

Theodore had prepared an elaborate breakfast, knowing Evelyn would need it after her binge.

Evelyn descended the stairs in a blush silk chemise, her hair cascading over bare shoulders. Though properly covered, the outfit accentuated every curve.

Theodore flushed scarlet and averted his gaze immediately.

"Hey! There are single men in this house," Dominic complained, rolling a cold egg over his bruised cheek. "Have some consideration!"

"For three years I wore nothing but white dresses and flats," Evelyn retorted, biting into her sandwich. "Now I'll wear what I please. Who's going to stop me?"

"Why did you only wear white for three years?" Theodore asked innocently. "Were you teaching Sunday school? You'd corrupt the children!"

"None of your business!" the Kingsley siblings chorused.

Later, perfectly coiffed in a white Chanel suit and Louboutins, Evelyn transformed back into the elegant CEO of Monarch Grand Hotels—despite her skull pounding like a war drum.

Sitting in her office, she replayed Dominic's words about Nathan's unexpected protectiveness.

Had Nathan actually cared about her?

She laughed bitterly at the thought. Impossible. He probably just couldn't stand seeing his once-obedient wife change masters so abruptly. It was pure possessiveness, nothing more.