The next day, Bella tiptoed into the dining room, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her sweater. Dominic sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as he sipped his coffee. The tension in the room was thick, and Bella struggled to keep her composure. She glanced at him briefly but quickly averted her gaze when their eyes met.
"Good morning," she muttered softly, barely audible.
Dominic didn't respond. Instead, he set his cup down with a sharp clink, making Bella flinch. His intense gaze followed her every movement as she moved toward her seat.
The silence stretched uncomfortably until Dominic finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"Where were you going last night? before that incident" he demanded.
Bella froze, unsure how to respond. "I… I was just throwing out the trash," she stammered, her voice shaking.
Dominic's jaw tightened. "And you thought it was a good idea to wander off in the middle of the night without telling anyone?"
"I didn't wander off," Bella said defensively. "It was the perfect time to throw away trash. and also I didn't plan to stay long "
His quietly stood up from the table, causing her to look up. "That's not the point, Bella!" he said softly, his voice rising. "You're risking your life . This isn't some fairy tale where you can do as you please!
Bella swallowed hard, her eyes wide with fear. She tried to explain, but the words wouldn't come.
Dominic left abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he left, He loomed over her the last time his dark eyes narrowing. "Your duty is simple: eat, sleep, and clean up your mess. That's it. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Tears welled up in Bella's eyes as his words sank in. She nodded silently, too afraid to argue.
Seeing her trembling, Dominic exhaled sharply and turned away, running a hand through his hair. He didn't want to scare her, but the weight of his world left him little room for patience.
Bella sat frozen in her chair, trying to compose herself. She had never felt so small, so insignificant. Her mind raced as she fought back the tears threatening to spill.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Dominic didn't respond. He left the room without another word, the tension lingering long after he was gone.
Bella sat there for a while, trying to steady her breathing. She couldn't understand why he was so angry, but one thing was clear: this wasn't just a marriage it was a cage, and Dominic held the keys
Dominic sat at his desk, absently flipping through some papers when his wallet slipped from his pocket and fell onto the floor. As he bent down to pick it up, a small, weathered photograph slid out. His eyes softened as they landed on the picture.he knew he woke up in a bad mood today.
A young woman with bright eyes and a radiant smile stared back at him. The edges of the photo were frayed, its colors slightly faded. Dominic froze, his fingers trembling slightly as he held it. His usual stoic demeanor cracked, and his jaw tightened as a wave of emotion surged through him.
He clenched his fist, his breathing uneven. Memories he had buried deep resurfaced, hitting him with unexpected force. Unable to bear the sudden onslaught, Dominic slid the photo back into his wallet and walked out of the mansion without a word.
---
Hours later, Bella was in the kitchen, her favorite playlist blasting through her earbuds as she twirled around. She swayed to the rhythm, her hair bouncing as she danced without a care in the world. For a moment, she felt free, far from the weight of her new reality.
She didn't hear the door open or the sound of unsteady footsteps approaching her. Dominic stood in the doorway, his tie loosened, his shirt partially unbuttoned, and his movements uncharacteristically clumsy. The scent of alcohol wafted through the air as he watched her, his piercing gaze softening for the first time.
Bella turned abruptly, her eyes widening in shock when she saw him standing there. Before she could say a word, Dominic staggered toward her, his large frame closing the distance in mere seconds. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer.
"Why are you so cute and pretty?" he murmured, his voice low and slurred.
Bella's heart pounded in her chest. She had never seen him like this vulnerable, almost tender. The intensity in his eyes made her pulse race, though she couldn't tell if it was from fear or something else entirely.
"Dominic?" she whispered, her voice shaky.
He bent down, their faces inches apart. His eyes were heavy with a mixture of longing and pain, and before she could process what was happening, his lips brushed against hers.
Bella froze, shocked by the sudden kiss. His lips were warm, and for a fleeting moment, she didn't pull away. He's drunk, she reminded herself, yet her heart betrayed her, thudding louder as a faint spark ignited in her chest.
she slightly parted her lips giving him access, Dominic takes the opportunity to explore her depths hungrily. His hand moves to gently grip her chin, tilting her head back to allow him deeper access. He can feel her soft moans vibrating against his lips as he plunges his tongue past her inviting parted lips his tongue plummets deep into Bella's mouth, tasting every inch of her. He swirls it around her tongue, sucking gently before pulling out only to dive back in again His hips press firmly against hers and just as the kiss deepened, Dominic pulled back slightly and cupped her face with one hand. His eyes, glassy from the alcohol, softened even more as he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I miss you, Jane…"
The name hit Bella like a slap. She stiffened, her thoughts spinning. Jane? Her chest tightened as anger and confusion surged through her.
She shoved his hands away, her expression now a mix of fury and hurt. Dominic stumbled slightly, his drunken state making him unaware of the turmoil he'd just unleashed.
"Who's Jane?" she asked, though she knew he was too intoxicated to answer.
Dominic didn't respond. His body swayed, and she instinctively reached out to steady him. Despite her frustration, she couldn't leave him like this. With a sigh, she helped him to his room.
---
As she guided him to his bed, Dominic collapsed onto the mattress, mumbling incoherently. Bella covered him with a blanket, her mind replaying the moment over and over. She stood there for a moment, staring at the man who had just kissed her but called her another woman's name.