Chapter 164

"I...I don't know how to..."

Evelyn's fingers trembled as they fumbled with the belt buckle.

She tried to examine the metal mechanism carefully, but...

Facing Dominic's bare torso made her recall the intimidating bulge beneath his silk pajamas last night. Heat flooded her cheeks until she thought her face might combust.

Her parched lips managed to whisper "I don't know" before she gave up entirely.

She fled to the kitchen.

Pressing her back against the cool tiles, Evelyn willed her flaming cheeks to cool.

She was furious with herself. After all this time, why did Dominic's physique still affect her this way? His chiseled features shouldn't make her pulse race anymore. She must be under some spell.

Dominic fastened his belt himself, oddly pleased by her reaction.

Had Evelyn never helped another man with his belt before? Perhaps he was the only one.

He followed her into the kitchen, standing directly before her.

Evelyn dared only a fleeting glance at his strong brow before dropping her gaze again.

Dominic wasn't sure how shy women operated. Were they like men - bold at night but reserved by day? He certainly tempered his own intensity in daylight.

"I apologize for last night," he said frankly, his voice deep and velvety. "I mistook your staying as an invitation."

The rich timbre of his words made her ears burn.

At twenty-four, Evelyn was still young. Among her peers from good families, girls her age were still pampered like princesses.

During university breaks, she'd browsed forums where they claimed certain male voices could make women weak. Dominic's definitely qualified.

As for last night's misunderstanding, Evelyn needed to clarify. She lifted her chin. "That was my fault for giving you the wrong impression. Me staying over wasn't...wasn't an invitation."

She'd chosen his bed assuming he'd take Isabella's smaller one.

The clatter of spoons echoed from the dining room where the twins had started breakfast.

"I understand. Let's eat first." Dominic arched a brow at her serious expression before guiding her out.

At the table, toast and coffee waited at Dominic's place beside a folded newspaper.

"Aunt Eve, my shoes are broken..." Isabella peered up with one bandaged eye, looking pitiful yet comical.

Alexander declared, "Ask Aunt Eve to buy you new ones! Daddy's too busy with work."

Evelyn nodded. "Of course I'll take you shopping."

Alexander happily stacked three bread slices together, munching as he explained Daddy's hectic schedule.

Last time they'd needed shoes, Great-grandpa had chosen dreadful bark-colored ones fit for soldiers! When Grandma took them, she'd often lose them while on calls. Eventually, it fell to nannies and drivers.

Other kids got to shop with both parents.

Evelyn's heart ached listening to them. She glanced at the silent man across the table.

Was this how he'd parented for five years?

Frankly, it was negligent.

Then she remembered - Dominic had only wanted children to please his family. They were bargaining chips in his power plays. No wonder he lacked paternal warmth.

At the table's end, Dominic sipped coffee while skimming his newspaper, listening to their conversation. Suddenly he stood. "After shopping, we'll watch this movie."

He pointed to a theater advertisement before leaving.

"Yes! I've been wanting to see this!" Alexander vibrated with excitement.

Evelyn meant to refuse, but Alexander's eager face changed her mind.

After breakfast cleanup, Evelyn called Abigail from the bedroom. "I need to request leave again..."

Though she worked nights to compensate, missing daytime meetings wasn't ideal. But with Isabella's injury, she couldn't trust their incompetent father.

"The department head questioned why the boss tolerates your absences," Abigail said. "He even shelved the project temporarily until the site visit."

Meaning Evelyn had no urgent work anyway.

They departed soon after.

With customized child seats occupying the back, Evelyn had no choice but to ride shotgun.

Isabella desperately needed replacement shoes after the neighbor's child damaged hers.

Dominic drove to a nearby mall.

Parking underground, he carried Isabella while Evelyn held Alexander's hand entering the shopping center.

Alexander knew exactly where to go.

A sweet-voiced salesgirl greeted them. "Would the little princess like matching family shoes? We just got new styles in!"