Chapter 133
She couldn’t recall how she had managed to leave. Everything felt like a blur,
Upon returning to Wellington Villa, the household staff were taken aback by their mud–splattered appearance, unsure of how to react. The butler stood nearby, his voice attempting to maintain calmness as he announced, “Dinner is ready.”
The once warm meal had long since gone cold.
Dominick said nothing more, his face dark as if he couldn’t bear to look at her again. Immediately upon their return, he turned sharply and
retreated to his bedroom.
“Mrs. Wellington, perhaps you should have some hot soup first…”
Sandra, observing Stephanie’s stunned and frightened demeanor, disregarded any thoughts of cleaning her up. Instead, she promptly instructed a maid to bring a steaming bowl of soup to help soothe her nerves.
Stephanie followed Sandra to the dining area, where she mechanically sat down and sipped half a bowl of the hot soup, which tasted bland
to her.
Finally, Sandra escorted her back to the bedroom, whispering softly as they walked, “Mrs. Wellington, Mr. Wellington has always been reserved since childhood. There are matters he prefers not to discuss. Please, avoid upsetting him. Focus on your duties here at Wellington
Villa and steer clear of his personal affairs.”
Dominick’s affairs were beyond her influence, no matter how much she desired to intervene.
Stephanie remained silent, her face still drained of color, as she ascended the familiar staircase leading to their bedroom,
Upon pushing open the door, a faint smell of tobacco lingered in the room.
Stephanie hesitated at the threshold, reluctant to step inside. In the room, Dominick’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He quickly extinguished the cigarette in his left hand out of habit.
Their gazes met, both faces etched with a tangle of emotions.
“Mrs. Wellington, please remember not to provoke him.” Sandra cautioned from the doorway, her voice barely a whisper. She feared Stephanie might inadvertently provoke Dominick once more.
With a gentle push from Sandra, Stephanie tentatively crossed the threshold and the door closed behind her.
In the spacious room, now occupied solely by him and her, an unspoken tension hung heavily in the air, casting a palpable sense of unease
and unfamiliarity.
Minutes stretched into silence. Stephanie stood near the door with her head bowed slightly, unsure of what would come next.
Meanwhile, on the balcony, the man’s gaze held a complex intensity as he scrutinized her with a mixture of concern and frustration, observing every nuance of her anxious profile under the dim moonlight….
Suddenly, as if unable to tolerate the charged atmosphere any longer, or perhaps infuriated by some unseen thought, his brow furrowed deeper. He suppressed the turmoil within his chest with rigid control, striding purposefully towards her.
She sensed his approach before she saw him, feeling the heavy thud of his steps drawing closer. Startled, she lifted her head, her expression betraying a mix of fear and uncertainty.
It was as if she dreaded something, a fear she couldn’t name but hung palpably in the air…
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Chapter 133
Yet, Dominick advanced towards her, his eyes avoiding hers as he passed by, reaching for the door handle with deliberate movements, each. step resonating with a tramp….
In his presence, the spacious balcony seemed to shrink, enveloping her in a suffocating unease.
“Dominick…”
Her grip tightened on his coat, pulling him back slightly, causing a fleeting flash of surprise across his stern face..
“Dominick, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just…scared.” Her voice wavered, the words barely audible as she struggled to explain.
“Stephanie, you…” His voice was low, a mixture of exasperation and something she couldn’t quite decipher.
As Dominick glanced at her cheek, he noticed a glistening trail where a tear threatened to fall, a testament to the emotions she couldn’t
voice.
“That accident…” Stephanie’s voice faltered, memories flooding back, each word heavy with unresolved emotion.
“You shielded me… Your touch was so cold, and I could smell the iron of blood. It was so dark. I couldn’t see anything. I called out to you, but
you didn’t answer. I called for you endlessly…”
“Dominick, I’m terrified…. You keep so much from me. I just want to understand you. I don’t want to be shielded from you. I can’t bear the
Overwhelmed, she clung tightly to him, her arms wrapped around his waist, seeking solace in his presence.
He leaned closer, their faces almost touching, and whispered softly in her ear, “if our sons cry too much in the future, they won’t be able to find wives. So, don’t cry… It took him considerable effort to come up with something remotely humorous.
cherish this rare moment of tenderness.
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