Vespera felt her blood run cold. It was like someone had opened a window in the dead of winter. Whatever warmth had lingered between her and Dominic was gone in an instant.

    She kept her expression neutral as her gaze fell on Nancy, seated gracefully on the couch like she belonged there.

    But beneath Vespera''s calm surface, a chill spread through her chest. One more peaceful night was all she had wanted. She wanted to see the cat and make another sweet yet fragile dream. She hadn''t nned to ask for more.

    Nheless, it was clear that Fawn had lost her patience.

    "You two..." Nancy''s eyes were locked on their hands, still sped together. She tried to maintain herposure, but her expression was cracking. The heartbreak on her face was unmistakable, one wrong word away from spilling over into tears. Instinctively, Vespera pulled her hand away, but Dominic tightened his grip. She nced up at him as if asking, "Why are you doing this?"

    Still, her fingers stayed curled in his.

    Dominic''s voice cut through the tension. "How did you get in here?"

    Dominic looked at the uninvited guest sitting on the couch coldly. From the balcony, Raymond hurried in with a phone still in his hand, and a half-typed message glowed on the screen.

    "Mr. Reid, you''re back. And Vespera, too." Raymond offered a nervous smile, trying to ease the tension.

    But one look at Dominic''s expression, and Raymond knew better than to try too hard. Raymond sighed and said, "Mrs. Reid just left. She said, since this ce is close to the office, she arranged for Ms. Acosta to stay here for now."

    Raymond hadn''t thought much of it when Fawn asked him to head downstairs. However, when he saw Nancy stepping out of the car with a suitcase, his heart sank. Fawn really didn''t want Vespera to be with Dominic.

    Dominic didn''t me Raymond. His sharp gaze remained fixed on Nancy. "Did Mrs. Reid not tell you I have a girlfriend now and that this isn''t the time or the ce for a visit?"

    At that, Nancy''s eyes reddened. The word-girlfriend-hit like a knife to the gut.

    Dominic had never once admitted to liking Nancy. And now, without hesitation, he called someone else his girlfriend. In fact, it was someone he hadn''t even known for long.

    Nancy thought that Dominic was doing this to hurt her, and it was working. She turned away, and when she looked back, her emotions were mostly in check.

    With aposed smile, she said, "I heard. Mrs. Reid also told me to get along well with Ms. Gildon."

    Her tone was light as she continued, "Don''t worry. I won''t disturb you two. I''m just back for work."

    Then, her eyes shifted to Vespera. "Ms. Gildon, you aren''t the petty type, right? You don''t mind, do you?"

    Vespera looked like she couldn''t care less. Still, the question had been directed at her, so she answered calmly, "If Mr. Reid has no objections, neither do I."

    The problem the Reid family gave wasn''t something for her to solve. No matter what answer she gave, Fawn was probably going to mark her down as the enemy anyway.

    Dominic frowned. He looked down at Vespera, then back at Nancy. "If Ms. Gildon has no objections, neither do I."

    Nancy''s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

    Vespera didn''t react. She remainedposed, like a stillke under the

    moonlight, smooth, quiet, and untouched.

    Then, Dominic raised his voice and said, "Raymond, bring my things downstairs. Vera wants me to move in with her."

    Vespera was shocked. On the other hand, Nancy, who was barely holding it together, went stiff.

    Dominic pinched Vespera''s cheek, a smirk ying on his lips, as his eyes glinted with cruel amusement. Vera, I know what you''re thinking. So, I''ll go along with your n."

    Vespera nearly choked. Was he trying to make Fawne after her with a knife?

    "I''ll get your things right away," said Raymond quickly, turning and scurrying off.

    Dominic didn''t even nce back at Nancy, who was sitting on the couch stiffly. Instead, heced his fingers with Vespera, who was stunned, and tugged her along. "Come on. Let''s go. see the cat."

    As they walked down the hall, a fluffy cat came racing toward them. It had gotten noticeably rounder in just a few days. Its stubby legs. looked even shorter now, and i

    bounced across the floor li vel ne

    bunny.

    The cat reached their feet and looked up at them. Then, it let out a string of soft meows.

    Vespera was still recovering from the verbal grenade Dominic had dropped about moving in.

    At this moment, Dominic leaned in, his breath warm against his ears as he murmured, "See? I told you it missed you."