Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 171 No Need to Keep Everything From Me

Bella couldn't hear what Amber was saying on the other end, but Dominic's response was cold, "I wish you happiness."

Right now, those words sounded more like sarcasm. How could Amber find happiness by marrying a man she didn't love? This was nothing more than a marriage of convenience. The room went quiet, and Bella finally raised her hand to knock. Dominic's deep, slightly weary voice came from inside. "Come in."

She opened the door and walked in, pretending she hadn't overheard anything. Keeping her tone casual, she asked, "How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?"

He lit a cigarette. "No."

Bella hesitated, then reminded him gently, "Try to cut back on the smoking. It's bad for your health, especially while you're still recovering. Might be a good time to quit altogether." With a sigh, Dominic put out the cigarette that was only halfway smoked. "Got it, Dr. Jones."

Bella felt a bit helpless. "I'm not lecturing you, just making a suggestion. I'm going to take a shower."

He suddenly stopped her. "The day after tomorrow, come with me to a wedding."

Her first thought

ceremony was as that he meant Amber's wedding, but she remembered Amber's

a few days away.

While she was still processing, he added, "In case I pass out or something. Aren't you a doctor? But if you don't want to go, just forget I asked."

Bella pressed her lips together. He wasn't in such bad shape wanted her to go, he could just say so. Why make up an excuse

After a moment's pause, she agreed and then went back to her room.

randomly pass out. If he

After dinner, Bella accompanied Dominic as he took Pudding for a walk nearby. He suddenly noticed a scratch on the back of her hand and asked, "What happened to your hand?" Bella instinctively hid her hand. "It's nothing. I just scratched it by accident."

She didn't want to burden him with her personal issues. Her problems should be off-limits to him, especially the mess caused by Simon, the root of all her troubles.

Sensing she was holding something back, Dominic didn't press her. He simply said, "You don't have to keep everything from me."

Bella forced a smile. "Really, it's nothing."

Chapter 171 No Need to Keep Everything Frons Me

Just then, Dominic got a call from lan, so they turned around and headed home at a leisurely.

pace.

Once they got back, lan and Dominic went upstairs to talk. It seemed like it was something serious. Ian had looked troubled since he arrived and was deliberately avoiding Bella. Upstairs, Dominic poured lan a drink. Ian took it and teased, "Not joining me?"

Dominic's lips curled into a slight smile. "What do you think? My personal doctor would probably give me a lecture. Now, enough stalling. What's going on?"

lan's expression turned serious. "You got the wedding invitation, didn't you?"

Dominic nodded, and lan's fingers tightened around his glass, though he stayed silent.

After a moment, Dominic urged, "You should go. He's still your father, after all. And he's not even asking you to acknowledge his fourth wife. You wouldn't want everything the Clarke family built to end up in someone else's hands, would you? I'm sure he has called you about it.

П

I lan downed his drink in one go, his gaze turning cold. "The whole thing disgusts me. I never intended to go back to that house, and now, he's calling, insisting I show up. I really don't know what he's thinking."

Dominic found it easy enough to understand. "He's getting older. Even if things are bad between you two, you're still his only son. He probably has some plans he wants to discuss Just keep your cool and don't make a scene at the wedding. Sometimes, you have to keep up appearances."

Chaw