Chapter 286

"You're overcomplicating things!" Evelyn sighed, realizing it was pointless to argue with someone like him. She brushed past Dominic, pausing only to pat his shoulder.

"You and Vanessa would make a perfect pair. Seriously, you two are meant for each other." Trash belongs with trash. They deserved each other—why waste time ruining other people's lives?

"You don't believe me?" Dominic spun his wheelchair to face her retreating figure, misinterpreting her words as lingering bitterness.

He didn’t catch the sarcasm lacing her tone, convinced she was still wounded by his betrayal.

Silence. Evelyn didn’t look back.

After a moment of contemplation, Dominic convinced himself there was still hope.

Evelyn’s anger meant she still cared. If he played his cards right, he could win her back. With her skills and her family’s influence, his future would be secure. Maybe then, his estranged mother would finally acknowledge him.

Vanessa stirred awake, blinking against the harsh hospital lights. The first thing she saw was Dominic sitting beside her bed, meticulously peeling an apple.

He used to do this for her all the time—slicing the fruit into delicate pieces, feeding them to her with tender care. The memory made her chest tighten.

"Nate..." Her voice was weak as she reached for him. "Our baby..."

She already knew. The moment she’d confronted Evelyn, she’d made her choice. The child was never part of the plan. A calculated risk—one she could now blame on Evelyn.

But where was Evelyn?

Her gaze darted around the room. "How did you find me? Where’s Evelyn? She—she did this to our—"

"Vanessa."

Dominic’s knife stilled. He dropped the peel into the trash with deliberate calm. "Enough."

Her eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"You’ve been acting for too long. I’m exhausted. You should be too." He resumed slicing, the rhythmic tap of the blade against the plate unnervingly steady.

"Evelyn called me to settle your bills. She’s the one who brought you here. If she’d wanted to hurt you, you wouldn’t have made it to the hospital at all." He set the knife down, holding up the apple core. "I used to give you the best parts and keep the scraps for myself. But I’m done."

His gaze locked onto hers, cold and final. "We’re over."