Chapter 279

Chapter 279
Evelyn's POV 

I lay in bed beside Dorian that night, keeping a careful distance between us. The expensive sheets felt like sandpaper against my skin as I tried to control my breathing. My mind kept replaying what I'd seen and heard at Golden Hills Estates. Dorian and Sage. Together. The betrayal burned through me like acid. 

"You're quiet tonight," Dorian said, his deep voice cutting through the darkness. He rolled toward me, one muscular arm reaching across to pull me closer. 

I forced myself not to flinch. "Just tired from work." 

"You took the day off," he pointed out, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my arm. 

Shit. I'd forgotten about that lie. "Right. I mean, tired from... everything." 

His hand stilled. "Everything?" 

I turned to face him, studying his perfect face in the dim light. Those gorgeous features I'd once found so irresistible now seemed like a mask hiding the monster beneath. 

"I was thinking about the Sunset Ridge Estates project," I said, steering us to safer ground. "You seemed pretty confident earlier." 

His expression shifted to that predatory smile I knew so well. "I am. The committee won't be able to resist my proposal." 

"Because of what you have on Marcus?" I asked, trying to sound casual. 

Dorian's smile widened as he reached for his phone on the nightstand. He pulled up the video again—Marcus with that woman, their intimate embrace caught on camera. 

"Look how careless he is," Dorian said, his voice almost gleeful. "The great Marcus Blackwood, always so calculating, yet he risks everything for this woman." 

I watched the video again, noticing details I'd missed before. "Who exactly is she? Why would this hurt him?" 

"She's his weakness," Dorian said, putting his phone away. "Marcus has built his reputation on being ruthlessly logical, completely devoid of emotional attachments. This woman—she's everything he claims to be above." 

"And you're going to use that against him." 

"Only if he forces my hand." He sounded so reasonable, as if blackmail was just another business strategy. "I prefer winning on merit, but I'll use every advantage when necessary." 

I rolled away from him, pretending to reach for the TV remote. "Mind if I watch something? I can't sleep." 

"Go ahead." 

As some mindless reality show flickered on the screen, I discreetly reached for my phone under my pillow. With Dorian focused on the documents spread across his lap, I quickly typed out a message to Marcus: 

Dorian has video of you with the woman from your house. Plans to use it against you for Sunset Ridge Estates. 

The response came almost immediately: 

How much does he know about her? 

I glanced at Dorian, who was absorbed in his work. 

Just that she's important to you. Your "weakness." Calls her your bottom line. 

Three dots appeared, then: 

I need you to do something. Connect a drive to his computer. My tech team will handle the rest. 

My heart raced as I typed back: 

When? 

As soon as possible. The drive I gave you is already configured. 

I deleted our conversation quickly, then set my phone down, my mind working through the logistics. The USB drive Marcus had given me was still hidden in my drawer. I'd need to find an opportunity to access Dorian's laptop without raising suspicion. 

"Babe," Dorian's voice startled me. "You're not even watching." 

I forced a smile. "Just zoning out. Long day." 

He set his papers aside and moved closer, his hard body pressing against mine. "I've been thinking." 

"About?" I kept my voice neutral despite the rage simmering beneath my skin. 

"Us." His fingers traced my jawline. "I think we should renew our vows." 

I nearly choked. "What?" 

"A ceremony. A proper celebration of our marriage." His eyes were intense as they bore into mine. "Something grand, to show the world what you mean to me." 

The audacity of this man. The absolute fucking nerve. Today he was with my sister, and tonight he wanted to renew our vows? I wanted to laugh in his face, to scream, to claw those lying eyes out of his perfect skull. 

Instead, I smiled. "That's... unexpected." 

"You don't like the idea?" His brow furrowed. 

"No, it's not that." I reached up to touch his face, fighting the urge to dig my nails into his skin. "I'm just surprised. I didn't think you were the renewing vows type." 

"I want to do things right this time." He leaned down, his lips brushing mine. "No secrets. No lies. Just us, building a future together." 

No secrets. No lies. The irony was almost too much to bear. 

"I'll think about it," I managed to say, turning my face slightly so his kiss landed on my cheek. 

Before he could press further, the doorbell rang, its chime echoing through the cavernous house. 

Dorian frowned. "Who the hell is that at this hour?" 

He pulled on a robe and headed downstairs. Curious and needing a break from my performance, I followed him. 

Daniel looked agitated, his usually relaxed demeanor replaced with tense energy. 

"Daniel?" Dorian's voice hardened. "What's wrong?" 

Daniel's eyes flicked to me, then back to Dorian. "We need to talk. Privately." 

"You can speak in front of my wife," Dorian said, but I could hear the reservation in his voice. 

Daniel hesitated. "It's about the Hunter situation." 

My pulse quickened at Hunter's name. What situation? 

"Spit it out," Dorian demanded. 

"He has a female cousin. Studying at the tech college downtown." Daniel shifted uncomfortably. "Computer science major. Smart girl." 

Dorian's entire demeanor changed. "How reliable is this information?" 

"Very. My guy confirmed it this afternoon." 

"Interesting." Dorian's voice had that dangerous edge that always made my skin crawl. "Let's pay this cousin a visit." 

"Now?" Daniel asked. 

"No time like the present." Dorian turned to me. "I'll be back later, babe." 

"I'm coming with you," I said without thinking. 

Both men stared at me. 

"That's not a good idea," Daniel said quickly. 

"Why not?" I challenged, looking directly at him. 

Daniel glanced at Dorian. "Because... we might need to be persuasive." 

"And you think I'd what? Try to stop you?" I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "He's my husband, Daniel. My loyalty is to him." 

"She stays here," Daniel insisted, lowering his voice.

Dorian studied me, his gray-green eyes calculating. "It could be dangerous." 

"More dangerous than staying here alone, wondering what's happening?" I countered. "Besides, won't it look suspicious if you two show up without me? I can be the friendly face, the distraction if needed." 

Daniel shook his head. "Dorian, man, this is a bad call." 

"She has a point," Dorian said slowly. "And I'd rather keep her where I can see her." 

That last comment stung, revealing just how little he trusted me. But I'd expected nothing less. 

"Fine," Daniel conceded, clearly unhappy. "But she follows our lead, no improvising." 

"Of course," I agreed, the perfect obedient wife. "I just want to help." 

As Dorian went to grab his jacket, Daniel stepped closer to me, his voice low. 

"I know what you're doing," he whispered. 

I met his gaze steadily. "I'm supporting my husband." 

"Bullshit." His eyes narrowed. "You're playing some angle here, and if it hurts Dorian—" 

"Is there a problem?" Dorian asked, returning to the foyer. 

Daniel stepped back. "No problem. Let's go." 

As we headed to the car, my mind raced with possibilities. Hunter had a female cousin at the tech college? This could be my chance to warn him about whatever Dorian was planning. 

Playing both sides was dangerous, but after what I'd discovered today about Dorian and Sage, I no longer cared about the risks. The gloves were off. 

Game on, husband. Game fucking on.