Isabella staggered back and collapsed onto the floor, trembling as she shouted, “What’s gotten into you, Dominic? So what if I didn’t come home for your birthday? You’re a grown man. When did you become so petty?”

Alexander had been splashed as well, his suit stained with soup and wine. He hurried to Isabella’s side, his voice full of concern. “Bella, are you alright?”

Bracing herself against a nearby cabinet, Isabella steadied her breathing and rose to her feet. She ignored Alexander completely, her gaze locked on Dominic.

Alexander turned on Dominic, his expression hardening. “You scared her half to death. Apologize to her right now!”

Dominic laughed coldly. “What, does it hurt to see her upset?”

Alexander snorted. “Of course it hurts. She’s my sister. Why wouldn’t I care? You’re the one with the filthy mind. You twist everything into something dirty.”

“Filthy?” Dominic’s pupils narrowed. Without another word, he strode forward and slapped Alexander’s face.

The sound echoed.

Alexander was stunned. He couldn’t believe that Dominic had dared to hit him.

The rest of the guests stared in silence.

Dominic’s fury flared, his eyes blazing red. That single slap was only the beginning. He lunged at Alexander with fists and kicks, each blow fueled by rage.

The memory of the crossed-arm toast, the moment Alexander placed food on Isabella’s plate, the way they spoke to each other—it was intimate, ambiguous. Every detail fanned the flames consuming him.

“Ahh!” Alexander screamed.

Dominic’s tall, broad frame and raw strength left the delicate young man defenseless. Alexander curled on the floor and cried out in pain, powerless to resist.

The room erupted with shouts.

Isabella stood frozen for a few seconds before rushing forward. She wrapped her arms around Dominic’s waist and pulled with all her strength. “Stop it! Please, stop!”

Only after a long struggle did Dominic finally relent. Alexander lay bloodied and groaning.

Isabella flung herself between them and shielded Alexander with her body as she glared at her husband and growled, “Are you insane? Haven’t you made enough of a spectacle?”

She could not fathom it. How could he explode like this, just because she hadn’t come home for his birthday?

Dominic gritted his teeth. “Who’s making a spectacle, Isabella? If you don’t want this marriage, say it. Stop parading this filth around. What’s the matter? You can’t breathe unless you humiliate me and cheat behind my back?”

His words stunned her. It took a moment before she screamed in return, “Dominic! You bastard! What are you saying? When have I ever betrayed you? Alex is like a brother to me. Brother! You’d better apologize, or I’ll never forgive you!”

“Brother?” Dominic sneered. He pulled out his phone, opened a photo, and tossed it at her feet.

“Sworn brother, right? Stop kidding yourself.” His voice dropped low, thick with contempt.

A jolt shot through Isabella. She bent down, picked up the phone, and her face went pale. A startled cry left her lips as the phone slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor.

Dominic’s cold laugh sliced through the silence. “What now? Drinking crossed-arm toasts with your sworn brother? If I hadn’t shown up tonight, what would’ve come next? Would you be in bed with him?”

Isabella’s face drained of color, her lips trembling. “Dom… this isn’t what it looks like. Please, let me explain—”

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