Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 163

Chapter 163 Just Not Giving In

Bella had more or less figured it out not-Dominic had never truly fallen for Amber, not even by the time he returned to the country, which was why they eventually broke up.

Out of nowhere, Lia remarked, "You rich people are all about those business marriages, aren't you? Honestly, Dominic marrying Amber makes sense. Neither of them is a saint, so they can just mess with each other. It doesn't matter if they actually like each other, right?" Leonard's gaze held a faint smile. "Well, that's not exactly how Dominic sees it. Even with all the pressure, he still won't give in."

As he spoke, he glanced at Bella as if his words held an underlying message meant just for her.

Bella shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "This has nothing to do with me... Let's just eat, okay?"

She had always felt that her relationship with Dominic was something that couldn't really be discussed openly. There was an unspoken rule about keeping it under wraps.

After they finished eating, Lia lingered for a while before Leonard arranged for someone to

take her home.

Leonard had thoughtfully prepared everything Bella might need clothes, daily necessities, even a full set of skincare and makeup products.

His thoroughness was almost overwhelming, and it left Bella feeling slightly embarrassed.

She was about to offer to pay him back, but her words caught in her throat when she casually glanced at one of the price tags and saw the figure. This whole situation started because of Dominic, so he could foot the bill. She couldn't afford

such an astronomical sum.

Before bed, Leonard even texted her from the other room, "Need anything else? If something doesn't fit or isn't right, let me know right away!

If she didn't know that Leonard might actually have feelings for Lia, Bella might have felt a pang in her chest.

Aside from Felix, no man had ever been so attentive and considerate toward her. Dominic was good to her too, but his kindness always had a certain... roughness to it. It felt different.

She replied simply, "I don't need anything else. Thank you. Just send the bill to Dominic-1 don't have that kind of money."

His response came quickly, "Talking about money makes things feel distant. Just relax and stay here as long as you need to."

Chapter 363 Just Not Going in

The next morning, Bella woke naturally, just after 9:00 pm.

When she went downstairs for breakfast, she was surprised to replace Leonard still at home.

Life here seemed far slower than at Miller Manor, where Dominic was always up early and already at the office by now. On the other hand, Leonard seemed to live on his own schedule.

Seeing her, Leonard quickly came over to invite her to breakfast. He thoughtfully pulled out a chair for her and arranged all the best dishes in front of her.

For some reason, watching Leonard's serious expression as he did all this gave Bella goosebumps. "You really don't have to... I'm not used to it. We've lived together before, right? You weren't this attentive when we stayed in town..." Leonard laughed, looking a bit embarrassed. "Really? Maybe it's because this is my place, and you're my guest. It's only right that I take care of you. Does it make you uncomfortable? What am I supposed to do, then, to get along with a woman?" Bella narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're not using me as practice for your dating skills, are you?"

Leonard immediately protested. "Practice? Me? Do you have any idea how many women I've met? I just have to stand here, and they come flocking. Do I really need to try so hard? Alright, alright, just eat your breakfast."

A week passed in this polite but somewhat uneventful routine. Bella was starting to feel restless cooped up in Leonard's villa, but she didn't dare go out, afraid she might cause trouble

for him.

There was still no word from Dominic, and over the past few days, she had been having recurring nightmares. In one, she dreamed of Miller Manor, completely deserted and in ruins, cold and desolate.

In another, Dominic looked at her with a fierce expression, telling her he never wanted to see her again.

She watched helplessly as his figure faded into the distance. No matter how hard she tried to chase after him, she never saw him again.