Chapter 28
Chapter 28:
I knock a couple of times on Dominic’s door, my pulse hammered with the unanswered question of why he suddenly called me over.
Oh God. Maybe he wants his answer today. How the hell do I tell him I can’t marry him? What do I say if he asks me why?
I rub my hands together and draw in a deep breath before lifting one again to knock.
Just as my knuckles are about to touch the door, it clicks open, revealing Dominic, dressed handsomely in a red designer shirt and a pair of black pants with shiny black shoes to match.
“Hey, babe,” he coos, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. He offers me his hand, and I take it.
“Is there any special occasion?” I joke as he ushers me inside.
“Well, I wanted us to have an in-house date. You know, the two of us p>
I smile, but deep down, I feel like I’m about to confess my sins to a pope. This feels like a setup to get my answer to his proposal.
Dominic’s house may not be as grand and lush as Asher’s mansion, but it has the charm of a stylish bachelor’s pad—transparent glass doors, a sleek fireplace, and a beautiful swimming pool right in the middle of the backyard. His minimalist taste shows in the sparse furniture, the creamy white walls, and his habit of keeping things mounted high on the walls.
The one time I teased him about it, he explained that it made cleaning easier without things cluttering the floor. It actually made sense to me, especially since I’m often too busy—and admittedly too lazy—to waste valuable time tidying up.
I’ve been to Dominic’s house many times, yet every time I step inside, it feels like I’m visiting for the first time.
He leads me to the dining room, and I gasp when my eyes land on the table—garnished with assorted foods, wine, flowers, and scented candles. Even one of my favorite dishes—peppered buffalo wings—sits proudly at the center.
“Wow, Dominic. This is… this is beautiful.” I blush.
He pecks my cheek. “I’m glad you like it. Alright, sit p>
He pulls out a chair for me and I sit. He walks over to the opposite seat facing mine and settles down.
“You look handsome, by the way,” I say, hoping my words will calm my uneasiness. They don’t. He flashes me a wide smile before lifting one of the wine bottles from the table.
“Do you want some?” he asks, gesturing with the bottle in his hand.
I nod. “Yeah. Sure p>
Of course I do. Anything to take my mind off his proposal, even briefly, is welcome.
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I force another smile and lift the empty glass in front of me toward him. Dominic pops the bottle open and pours me half a glass.
“Thank you,” I murmur, bringing it to my lips. I take a sip. The wine tastes amazing, the light burn of alcohol sliding down my throat as I swallow. I take another, larger gulp. I’ll need more liquid courage to get through this surprise date setup.
When I set the glass back down, I catch Dominic’s gaze burned into me. Even when he notices I’ve caught him staring, he doesn’t flinch, nor does he look away.
The silence between us is deafening, the air thick with a tension I can’t describe. Maybe it’s the tension telling me now is the time to break the ice. To finally tell him I can’t marry him.
It’s now or never.
“Um, Dominic,” I clear my throat. “I want to tell you something p>
“What is it, babe?” His gaze is still so strong, so heavy on me, I nearly feel like it’s burning right through to the truth.
“Well… it’s about your proposal.” My hands fumble in my lap. “there’s no better way to say this p>
I pause, sucking in a breath.
“I can’t marry you, Dominic p>
The silence that follows is so heavy, so intense, I swear I can hear a pin drop.
But despite the way it makes my stomach twist, I also feel a strange relief spreading through my heart.
I can’t marry someone I don’t love, and finally speaking the truth feels oddly amazing and comforting.
Dominic stares at me, his eyes blank. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t move. I want him to say something. I want him to do something. But he sits there, staring at me like I’m some artistic masterpiece.
“Dom,” I mutter. “Say something p>
He doesn’t respond. His eyes don’t even flicker. I want to push him again, to tell him to speak, but my throat suddenly feels like it’s crawling with an army of ants.
I clear my throat and reach for my wine, desperate for a gulp of the red liquid.
I’m a breath away from the glass when Dominic jerks up from his seat and snatches it out of my reach.
“Dom,” I croak, my throat burning like fire. “What are you doing p>
He smirks, disgust twisting his face. “I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago p>
The snarl in he whispered. I manage to stand, clutching my throat, but the moment my feet touch the cold floor, my head spins. My vision blurs.
“Dom p>
A swift, brutal blow slams into the side of my head, the light snapping out of my eyes as I crash to the floor.
Blood pounds in my skull as I drift into darkness.