Vespera''s eyes shifted. After a long pause, she finally opened her eyes, but she chose to ignore what Dominic had said. She said, "Dominic, my mom is seriously asking me to break up with you. So, I was thinking that maybe we could..."

Vespera deliberately slowed her words, trying to gauge Dominic''s reaction. However, his expression didn''t change in the slightest. He wore the same soft smile as always.

Not knowing if it was her guilt or her instinct, but the longer she looked at that smile, the more she realized it seemed dangerous and cold, like a knife hidden behind a bouquet of roses.

"How about we pretend to break up?" Vespera blurted out, feeling like Dominic might strangle her with his silence.

Dominic was speechless. He chuckled with disbelief. Shaking his head, he said, "I like the sun. I don''t like hiding."

Vespera had expected Dominic to refuse. She said, "How is it hiding? It isn''t like we''re sneaking around having an affair or something. It''s just more private. This is the best n I''ve got. Just trust me."

Dominic let out a sigh and said, "So, basically, you can''t let me go, but you don''t want to make it official either."

"That isn''t what I meant!" Vespera protested. "Labels don''t matter right now. You have two options. Either a fake breakup or a real breakup. Pick one!"

Dominic drew in another deep breath, something tightening in his chest. A moment of silenceter, he smiled and said, "Vera, you''re really making me abandon everything I originally wanted. Even if you won''t take responsibility for what we have, I still want it to mean something. If those are the only choices, you''ve really got me cornered."

Vespera''s reluctance was enough to keep Dominic''s hope alive.

Vespera was at a loss for words. Once again, Dominic had seized control of the conversation. He had even brought up the past.

She had been too impulsive recently. She had been lying to him and doing a good job of it until he pissed her off. It was his fault, but he looked so pitiful that she got angry on his behalf. She was frustrated with herself.

"Let''s not talk about the future right now. Let''s just deal with what''s right in front of us. The fake breakup is only temporary. Don''t fight it so much. We''re doing fine," said Vespera, touching Dominic''s chest.

Dominic muttered, "Vespera, could you at least pretend to be serious?"

Vespera responded, "I am serious. I swear. Trust me."

At a loss for words, Dominic withdrew his hand that had just finished applying ointment and held it up in front of Vespera. He rubbed his fingers together and said, "Honestly, this might be the most sincere part of you."

Vespera''s face instantly turned beet red.

...

In the end, Vespera and Dominic didn''t reach any kind of agreement. Nevertheless, she could tell that he was close to giving in.

Dominic got up to wash his hands. When he returned, the room was empty. He stepped outside and

spotted Vespera already sitting an et

the dining table, eating. She was Bibbling in small bites, but she chewed fast. She looked like a cute hamster.  s

Dominic''s gaze softened. He rolled his sleeves back down and buttoned the cuffs. Then, he slipped on the jacket he had tossed aside earlier. He became cool and aloof again.

Vespera looked up and asked, "Aren''t you eating?"

Dominic answered, "I don''t have much of an appetite."

It was such a passive-aggressive tone.

"I need to head home for a bit. You go ahead and eat. Call me if anythinges

up. And don''t go out after dark," added Dominic.

Vespera hummed and replied with a smile, "Alright. Drive safe."

Dominic sighed. He grabbed his car keys and left. One minute after he was gone, Vespera finally realized she was still staring at the door.

Dominic had gotten a call from Samuel that afternoon, telling Dominic toe home for dinner. Samuel also said that they needed to talk.

If it had been about work, they would have met at the office. So, it must be something personal. It likely had something to do with the Dawson family.fnf8d2 Official source is find{n}ovel/fnf8d2

Samuel was old, so Dominic didn''t tell Samuel about Emily and the Lumena Order. However, Samuel wasn''t easy to deceive. After what had happened to Fawn, Samuel had be sharper. Even if Emily had vanished, he wasn''t going to just let it go.  s

When Dominic walked into the Reid residence, Natasha was in the living area, ying a game with her legs crossed.

Dominic walked over and tapped her on the head. He said, "Put your legs down."

"Dominic, you''re back," said Natasha, pulling off her headphones and jumping to her feet.

In the next moment, Natasha

seemed to have thought about

something and tugged Dominic

aside. She whispered, "Mom is going nuts

looking for that woman mythe.

green dress. It''s like some

nationwide manhunt. It''s

???

obsession."  s