Chapter 237

**Evelyn's POV**

"There's something I need to tell you," I said quietly, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "Something I haven't told anyone except my therapist... and Liam."

Dorian's body tensed beneath my cheek. "Liam?"

I sat up, creating a small distance between us, and looked out the window at the passing city lights. "He's the one who helped me find proper treatment."

"Treatment for what?" Dorian's voice was controlled, but I could sense his growing interest.

I twisted my hands in my lap, letting vulnerability show on my face. "I have... issues. Psychological ones. I can't... I can't let men get too close to me. Physically, I mean."

His eyebrows rose slightly, and something that looked like relief flickered across his face. "Issues?"

"It's a form of anxiety," I explained, the lies flowing easily. "It manifests as panic attacks when I feel... trapped or when someone tries to be intimate with me."

"Does this include Montgomery?" The question was sharp, jealousy evident in his tone.

I shook my head. "Liam understood. He respected my boundaries. He helped me find a therapist who specializes in trauma."

To my surprise, Dorian smiled—a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "That's all? That's your big secret? A little anxiety?"

I blinked, confused by his reaction. "It's not little to me. It's why I left. I couldn't bear the thought of failing you as a wife."

He took my hand, his thumb caressing my palm. "We can work through this, Evelyn. I can be patient."

"I'm not Evelyn anymore," I said firmly. "That's not who I am now. I'm Scarlett. Evelyn was weak, confused. Scarlett knows what she wants."

He studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Scarlett it is."

The car slowed as we approached the hotel. James was waiting by the entrance.

"Get her things," Dorian instructed him. "And make arrangements for the new apartment near the hospital to be ready by tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," James replied, not showing any surprise at my return.

As we exited the car, Dorian kept his hand at the small of my back—possessive but not constraining. The perfect illusion of a concerned husband. I wondered how long he could maintain it.

\---

The next day after my shift ended, I found Dorian waiting outside the hospital entrance, leaning against his car with casual elegance. Several nurses glanced his way appreciatively as they passed.

"Ready to see our new home?" he asked, opening the passenger door for me.

The thought of being alone with him made anxiety flutter in my stomach, but I forced a smile. "Lead the way."

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a modern high-rise building. The doorman nodded respectfully as we entered.

The elevator took us to the top floor. When Dorian unlocked the door and gestured for me to enter first, I stepped into an open-concept living space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city.

"You might want to take those off," Dorian said, pointing to my shoes. He reached into a nearby closet and pulled out a pair of plush slippers. "These should fit."

I placed my hand on his shoulder for balance as I changed, noticing how he stilled at the casual contact. It had been so long since we'd touched without anger or manipulation between us.

I walked to the windows, mesmerized by the endless sea of lights spreading out below us. The city looked peaceful from this height, its dangers hidden by distance and darkness.

"Do you like it?" Dorian asked, coming up behind me.

His arms encircled my waist, and I felt my shoulders stiffen involuntarily.

"It's beautiful," I said, making no move to disentangle myself despite my discomfort. "Though we might need to hire a housekeeper. We're both too busy to maintain a place this size."

"Already done," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "She'll come three times a week. I've had her thoroughly vetted."

I turned in his arms, creating space between us. "I've been thinking about what happened with Ella."

His expression darkened. "I don't want to talk about her."

"No, listen," I insisted. "When you helped her, when you made sure she was safe even though you didn't have to... that's when I realized you might actually care about me. Not just possess me, but care."

Surprise flashed in his eyes, quickly followed by a cautious hope that made him look younger, almost vulnerable.

"Of course I care," he said roughly. "Everything I've done has been for you. To keep you safe. To keep you with me."

I stepped back, breaking his hold gently. "I'm trying, Dorian. I'm trying to trust you again. But you have to give me space."

He nodded reluctantly. "I can do that. Let me show you the rest of the apartment."

He guided me through a sleek kitchen, a home office, and finally stopped at a set of double doors.

"The master suite," he said, pushing the doors open.

The room was massive, dominated by a king-sized bed draped in soft gray linens.

"Do you want to sleep here?" he asked. "It's the largest bedroom."

I ran my hand over the silky bedspread. "Where will you sleep?"

"Here as well," he said matter-of-factly.

I turned to him in disbelief. "What? No. That's not what we agreed to."

"The bed is enormous, Scarlett," he said, emphasizing my new name with a slight smirk. "You can have two-thirds of it. I'll stay on my side."

"That's not the point," I argued. "You promised you wouldn't pressure me."

"And I won't," he insisted. "I'll be a perfect gentleman. But I'm not sleeping in another room when my wife is finally home."

While we argued, my gaze drifted to the nightstand where a sleek laptop sat. Dorian's personal computer—likely filled with information about his business dealings, his contacts... and possibly Hunter.

"Fine," I conceded abruptly, surprising him. "We'll share the room. But you stay on your side of the bed."

He smiled, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Of course. Whatever you need."

I turned away to hide my expression. The laptop was my ticket to information, to leverage, to freedom. To saving Hunter. I'd endure sleeping beside the devil if it meant getting closer to his secrets.

"I'm going to take a shower," I announced, heading toward the en-suite bathroom. "It's been a long day."

"Take your time," Dorian called after me. "I'll order dinner."