Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 219

Chapter 219 I'll Take Care of You

It was the same familiar path, but now, the trees lining both sides stood bare. Their leaves had fallen, leaving only a few stubborn ones clinging to the branches, swaying against the cold wind

The path was dull without the gold-streaked carpet of fallen leaves while the vibrant colors of autumn had faded to gray.

Bella moved slowly, careful not to let her breathing quicken because the movement would tug on her healing wound. That was why she quickly fell

Dominic noticed she had fallen behind. Since no one else was around, he unlocked Pudding's leash, letting her wander freely. He then stood by the side et the path, lit a cigarette, and waited for Bella to catch up

By the time Bella reached him, he had already finished smoking. He stretched out his hand naturally. "Let Pudding do her thing. No need to keep an eye

She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. With his palm against hers, even if it wasn't real, it was worth it.

Bella recalled being absent from the hospital for the past couple of days. "I feel much better now and plan to head back to the hospital in a couple of days. I've been away for too long."

a year off, they'll

Dommie didn't miss a bear as he replied, "Rest a while more. You don't need to worry about being away from work. Even if you want a ye Approve IL"

Bella wasn't someone who could stay still "That's not how it works. My injury isn't as bad as yours from last time. I'm fine now, and I can't go on without working "

Dominic gave her hand a light

"I'll take care of you

squeeze as a teasing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I'll to

Bella wasn't in the mood for jokes you back."

s and said seriously, "I can take care of myself. Besides, I still owe you over ten grand. I need to work if I want to pay

Dominic's expression darkened lightly as his smile faded. "Who said anything about paying me back? You have this special talent for making me mad. you know that? Can you stop making excuses? What's wrong with letting things stay the way they are?"

The way things were right now wasn't so bad. However, how long could this last? There would come a time when she needed to face reality. Dominic could walk away without a second thought, unaffected. How could Bella survive that?

Not wanting to get dragged into his orbit again, Bella stayed quiet to avoid an argument.

After walking Pudding, Bella went straight back to her room just as rain began to fall. The drizzle quickly turned into a downpour, with the wind rattling the windows and raindrops splattering noisily against the glass.

She shut every window, trying to block out the sound of the storm. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling while her thoughts swirled

If Dominic hadn't brought her back that first time she left, she could've started a new life by now. Maybe she wouldn't be stuck in this place.

Although Dominic wasn't cruel to her, hadn't made life unbearable, and was surprisingly kind to her, she was terrified of getting lost in the dream he was weaving, Falling for him was already punishment enough. Loving him felt like a penance she would never escape. A loud clap of thunder roared. Instinctively, Bella pulled the blanket over her head and curled into a ball. The tear wasn't something she could control. It was a shadow from her childhood

Before she was sent to the Miller residence, she li in their small town would often go out, It would plunge the house into total darkness,

she lived with Dorothy. On stormy nights, when Dorothy went out to replace work to feed the fanuly, the power

Bella was too scared to cry and would hide inside a cabinet, waiting for Dorothy's retur

In the flickering light of distant lightning, every ka Suddenly, her blanket was yanked away. She gasped in startlement, only to see Domink standing doing here?

ke a monster baring its tangs at the

Young

Bella

her bed. She was embarrassest

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