Chapter 14

"If you weren't running away, why didn't you come home last night? Do you have any idea how long I stayed up waiting for you?" Dominic paused, his voice strained. "There must be some misunderstanding about yesterday. I don’t blame you. Just come home, and we’ll sort this out, okay?"

Evelyn let out a quiet laugh, considering his words. "Fine. I’ll meet you at the office later." She ended the call and returned to the dining table, where Alexander finally glanced up at her. "Leaving already?"

"Not yet." She settled back into her seat, her mood noticeably lighter. She took her time with her meal, savoring each bite. "I’m not the one in a hurry here."

How many times had she waited for Dominic, watching the clock tick by? Now, it was his turn to wait.

"He won’t let yesterday slide easily." Dominic was petty, the kind of man who held grudges over the smallest slights. The humiliation he’d suffered? That would fester. And her departure? A death blow to DR Holdings. "Neither will I," Evelyn murmured, meeting Alexander’s gaze with a knowing smile.

Alexander simply smiled back.

Dominic waited all day, skipping lunch, his patience thinning by the minute. By 3 PM, Evelyn still hadn’t shown. He called again—no answer. Frustration boiled over, and he nearly hurled his phone across the room.

"Nate, I told you we couldn’t trust Evelyn! You were too naive to see it." Vanessa lounged on the plush leather sofa, meticulously slicing an apple. "Last night was a setup. Didn’t I say she was acting strange? But no, you insisted she was fine. And now—"

"Shut up!" Dominic snapped, his temper frayed. He considered calling Evelyn again but knew it was pointless. Instead, he turned his anger on Vanessa, who flinched at his tone. Her lips pursed, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"Why are you yelling at me? I didn’t betray you or the company! I’ve been the one by your side, taking care of you! I’m the only one who truly cares!" She thrust the plate of sliced apples toward him, her eyes glistening. "Eat something. No matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t starve yourself. I—I can’t bear the thought of you hurting."

Her voice trembled, tears threatening to spill. Even in distress, she was stunning. Dominic’s irritation softened instantly. With a sigh, he took the plate from her.

He pulled her close, his arm around her shoulders. "I’m not mad at you. I’m just… frustrated. Forgive me, okay? I know you only want what’s best for me." He brushed a tear from her cheek. "Don’t cry, darling."

"You’re just saying that," Vanessa sniffled, squirming slightly in his embrace. "But you’re still thinking about her." Her words, her vulnerability—it all played right into his soft spot.

"Mr. Reeves, I—" The door creaked open, and Evelyn peeked inside. Her lips curled at the sight of them tangled together. "Oh. Bad timing. I’ll just—"

"Evelyn!" Dominic jerked away from Vanessa as if burned.

He lunged forward, closing the distance before she could leave. "Get back here!" After waiting all day, he wasn’t about to let her walk away. "Where the hell were you? Why didn’t you answer my calls? Do you know how worried I was? What were you doing?" He seized her wrist, dragging her into his office and slamming the door shut.

Evelyn blinked, taken aback. Dominic looked genuinely distressed, his voice laced with concern. As if he actually cared. But what had he been doing moments before she walked in?

Her gaze flicked to Vanessa, who stood stiffly across the room. The woman’s expression darkened before she forced a sweet smile.

"Nate’s right, Evelyn. We were so worried when you didn’t come home. Where were you? With those people from Phoenix Labs?" Vanessa’s voice dripped with false concern. "You shouldn’t trust them. Who knows what lies they’ve fed you?"