It amused me that in Dominic's eyes, I was the one who was somehow betraying our relationship.

"Yeah, I insist," I replied.

Dominic stared fixedly at me, his gaze dark. "Just you wait, Evelyn."

…

As soon as I got back to the hotel where I had been staying recently, I received a call from Dad. He said Mom got into a fight with someone at the mall and asked me to come over at once.

I immediately got a cab to the location he gave me, only to find that it was a bridal boutique.

"What took you so long, Eve? Dominic's been waiting ages for you," Mom chided before dragging me into the boutique with a smile.

Once again, my own parents had set me up.

"Dominic, you truly are a gracious man for forgiving Eve despite all the fuss she's been making. I'm so proud of you," Dad said fawningly after he got a cup of coffee for Dominic.

Dominic lounged on the couch, his expression scornful and smug. "It's just a wedding ceremony. We can always have another one."

Just as I was about to speak, Irene emerged from the dressing room in a wedding gown with a radiant smile. "This gown is so pretty, Dom! I love it so much."

"If you like it, just buy it. I'll get you anything you want," Dominic said before finally looking at me.

Staring back at him, I said calmly, "Congratulations. You two make a perfect couple."

Dominic didn't expect me to react this way. Instantly, his expression turned stormy, and he declared, "Evelyn, Irene is willing to let bygones be bygones and has decided to be your bridesmaid. Your parents have agreed to it as well."

Smiling, Irene sat on Dominic's lap and said sweetly, "Don't worry, Evelyn. I won't let Dom do anything reckless again."

Hearing that, Mom and Dad nodded happily, seemingly satisfied with Irene's words.

Sneering, I was just about to speak, but Dominic beat me to it.

"When the time comes, you'll apologize to all the guests and admit that you were in the wrong the last time. Once you do that, I'll put everything behind us."

Before I could reject his demand, Mom readily agreed to it on my behalf. "Yes, of course. It's only right for her to do that."

The rip in my fingernail started bleeding again as I stared at Mom incredulously.

"Have you lost your mind, Mom? Am I your daughter or not? How can you agree to let someone else stomp all over my dignity and humiliate me?"

Mom's smile stiffened as she slapped me across the face without hesitation.

"Evelyn! Do you still think you're a young woman in your early 20s? You're 30 now! No other man will want you!

"Dominic doesn't mind that you're an old woman and is willing to marry you despite your willful behavior. You should be thanking him for that!

"How dare you cause a scene now? If I'd known you'd be such a burden to me, I should've drowned you the moment you were born!"

Then, she turned back to Dominic with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry you had to see this, Dominic. It's all my fault for not teaching her properly. Please don't be mad at her. I'll make sure she apologizes to both you and Ms. Cobb right away."

My cheek was stinging with pain, and I was filled with despair like never before.

However, to my shock, Dominic snarled coldly, "Evelyn's my wife, and she's carrying my child. Who gave you the audacity to hit her?"

Mom was thunderstruck. She didn't expect him to be this furious about it.

Dominic shoved Irene off his lap. Ignoring her unhappy expression, he asked me in concern, "Are you okay? Does your belly hurt? I'll take you to the hospital."

Snorting, I eyed him as though he were a piece of trash and retorted, "Drop the act. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

Stung by the look in my eye, the proud Dominic stood frozen, looking a little helpless. "Evelyn, I'm not—"

Flinging his hand off me, I said calmly but clearly, "Listen up carefully, Dominic. I've aborted the baby."