Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 345 I'm Nice to You Because I Like You

During her night shift, Bella passed by Simon's ward while doing her rounds. She checked on him in a professional manner but kept her distance. Ethan was working the same shift. He gathered his courage to ask Bella about the issues between her and Simon while they were in the break room.

Perhaps because she trusted Ethan to some extent or maybe because she thought he was a decent man, Bella opened up about everything that had happened.

After listening, Ethan looked surprised. "No wonder you don't want to take care of him. If I were in your shoes, I'd feel the same way. He doesn't deserve to be called a father. You've been more than fair to him.

"He cruelly deceived you and used you like a tool, yet you still paid for his medical bills and hired a caregiver for him..."

Bella smiled wryly. "If I hadn't done that, Lana would've just reported me to the department head, and then I'd get reprimanded again. Honestly, you should keep your distance from me. Lana hates me because of you, and I just want to work without any drama."

Ethan frowned. "But aren't we friends? I know you and Dominic got back together. I used to like you, but I've come to realize that we're not a match. It's fine for us to be friends, right? We both don't like being influenced by others, and I won't pull away just because of Lana."

Bella couldn't help but be speechless. The other day, Dominic had explicitly told Ethan that she was his girlfriend. She didn't know how to explain further, so she just went along with it.

In a way, it was for the best as it helped her avoid unwanted romantic attention.

...

After finishing her rounds the following morning, Bella wearily returned to her apartment.

She was startled to see Dominic. "Why are you here?"

He opened a takeout box from a restaurant. "I knew you were on a night shift, so I brought you some food. Eat up, then wash up and get some sleep."

Bella sat down beside him. "Do you have the keys to my place?"

He nodded. "I made a copy last time. Do you want them back?"

Bella didn't mean to sound accusing. "You can keep them. You don't come by often anyway. I was just thinking

how nice it would be if our relationship had always been this good. We might have really become like siblings..."

Dominic raised his hand and lightly tapped her on the head. "Who wants to be siblings with you? I'm nice to you because I like you. What else is there to it? Hurry up and eat. I have to go I'm planning to hang out with Leonard and lan for a few days.

"Leonard invited Lia too, but I figured you wouldn't be able to take time off, so I didn't invite you."

An idea suddenly popped into Bella's mind. "If you're not planning on bringing another woman, can I come along? Even if I can't get time off and might get fired, I'll still go with you."

She wanted to escape from Simon. She had been listening to the rumors circulating in the hospital every day, and she always had to be on guard against Simon. She was just tired of it all. Dominic was surprised by her words. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Well, I was actually planning on bringing someone else. But if you want to come, I'll cancel that." Bella rolled her eyes. "Forget I said anything, then. Go on without me."

He playfully ruffled her hair. "I'm just kidding. I didn't invite anyone else. Since you just got back from your shift and haven't rested yet, you can catch up on your sleep while I drive. Get ready and let's go." Bella quickly finished her breakfast. Then, she took a shower, changed, and packed a couple of outfits before heading out with Dominic.

On the way, she called the hospital

to request leave. When the department head heard she wanted a week off, he exploded in anger.

Bella didn't bother to argue. She net

hung up and decided to deal with it later. She just wanted to go on an impromptu trip and escape for a while, or she would go crazy.