CHAPTER 123: I’M MARRYING HIM IN SECRET

Dominic.

My stomach twisted.

He wasn’t doing anything. He just stood there, with his hands in his pockets, watching me with that calm expression.

That look that always made me nervous.

His hair caught the glow of the hospital lights, and for a second I forgot how to breathe.

God, why did he have to look like that right now?

Because Blake’s voice was still in my head..."The Glass Circle might be the reason the Coil’s after you. They might be the ones who assaulted that woman on the highway."

I loved him. I knew I did.

His laugh, his warmth, the way I felt when he touched me...no one else made me feel like that. But now all I could think was: What if he’s really the person Blake warned me about?

I felt caught between wanting to run straight into his arms and wanting to bolt the other way.

Instead, I just stood there, frozen on the other side of the glass doors, staring like some awkward teenager.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

Say something, my brain screamed.

But all I did was blink at him.

Dominic tilted his head, staring at me like he was reading me. Then he stepped forward, out of the hospital as the door hissed open.

"You finally came out," he smiled. "Been texting you for hours. Thought you were ghosting me."

My throat went dry. "I... my phone died."

It was a lie, and a bad one, but it was all I could manage.

His mouth twitched like he didn’t quite believe me. "Sure. I get that. But you could’ve just said something. Instead I’m standing here wondering if you’re mad at me."

My chest tightened. "Mad at you? Why would I...."

He smirked softly, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "You are. You’ve been avoiding me. You always text back quick. Tonight? Nothing. Just silence." He leaned in just a little, searching my face.

"You don’t usually give me attitude, Ash."

"I don’t..." I broke off, dragging a hand through my hair. "It’s just... it’s been a long day, okay?"

Then he nodded like he was done pushing, sliding his hands deeper into his pockets. "Fine. I’ll let you cool off. I shouldn’t have pissed you off earlier."

Then I caught the look in his eyes.

"I don’t get you. What happened earlier?" I asked.

His shoulders shifted. "I’m really sorry. I told you to get on your knees. That was unreasonable of me. I pushed too far." He looked away for a second, then back at me, softer now.

"If that pissed you off, just say it. Please don’t go ghost on me again. I can’t live with myself if you’re not talking to me."

God. My heart twisted. He thought I was being cold because of that, not because I was secretly wondering if he was part of the people that murdered that poor lady.

I forced out a shaky laugh. "Dominic, I’m not... mad about that."

"Then what?" he give me the most innocent puppy eyes.

I was literally about to melt. He’s just to handsome for me to act this cold.

I shook my head quickly. "Nothing. I’m just... tired. Stressed. Forget it."

It was a lie. But it was easier than the truth.

Dominic studied me for another second, then sighed, his tone slipped into something steady. "Come with me."

My chest jumped. "Come with you? Where?"

He tilted his chin toward the lot. "Just a drive. You need air."

I froze. Every instinct told me not to move, not to follow. Blake’s words, again: "You can’t trust anyone. Not fully."

But then Dominic tilted his head toward the parking lot, already turning. "C’mon. Don’t make me ask twice. Pleaseee."

I forced my legs to move. "...Fine."

My eyes flicked up at the black camera above the entrance, its little red light blinking. And for the briefest second, I pictured Mr. Blake on the other side of some monitor, watching.

Dominic started walking toward the lot, with his hands still in his pockets. Like nothing was wrong.

I followed, my eyes kept flicking to his shoulders, his back.

I love him. I really love him.

The engine purred low as Dominic pulled out of the hospital lot.

His hand rested on the wheel, the other draped against the gearshift. The night outside was quiet. Just the empty road.

He looked too calm. Like none of this was strange to him at all.

I stared the window, trying to steady the storm inside me.

"So..." I glanced at him. "Where are we going?"

His lips twitched. "It’s a surprise."

I frowned. "You and your surprises..."

Before I could press him, my phone buzzed in my hand. June’s name lit up the screen.

I answered instantly. "Juney..."

Her high pitched voice exploded through the speaker. "Ash! OH MY GOD! I just saw your text about your mom, she moved her fingers?! That’s insane! I’m literally screaming right now, I’m so happy for you!"

Her energy was like sunshine crashing through a storm cloud. I couldn’t help smiling. "Yeah... the doctor said she’s getting better. Said she’ll wake up soon. It’s really good news. So.. how was your date?"

June squealed so loud I winced, holding the phone away.

"Ren literally just dropped me off at home, and I swear, this day is turning into the best day of my life!"

I blinked. "Wait. Ren dropped you off at home?"

"Mmhm

!" She giggled like it was the juiciest secret ever. "Ash, you should’ve seen him. He’s so sweet, like... the sweetest. He literally walked me up the steps to make sure I didn’t trip in my heels. And his car smells like vanilla. He even said goodnight. Who even does that anymore?"

I could already hear her grin through the line.

I couldn’t help laughing. "June. People do that. You’re just in love."

"What?" she shot back. "Ash, He’s perfect! Like...sweet, cute, mysterious. Ugh, I’m actually dying. If I disappear tomorrow, it’s because I’m marrying Ren in secret."

My stomach twisted. The words shot out harsher than I meant: "Don’t say that. You don’t even know him."

"Don’t roll your eyes at me through the phone," she teased. She ignored me completely. "Anywayyy... speaking of love, how’s Dominic?"

I glanced at him. "He’s... here."

June gasped. "He’s with you right now? Put me on speaker, right now!"

"June..."

"Speaker, Ash. Do it! Please."

I groaned but tapped the button. "Fine! You’re on speaker."

"Hi, Dominic!" June practically sang.

His lips curved. "Hey, June."

June, being June, went straight for it. "Sooo... quick question. Ren’s single, right?"

I almost choked. "June!"

That finally got Dominic to laugh.

He burst out laughing, the deep kind that made my stomach flip. "Ren? He always had this complicated relationship," he said, still chuckling. "But yeah. At the moment, he’s single. And if you’re actually serious and you want to shoot your shot. I’ll help you out."

June gasped and squealed. "Stop. Don’t play with me like that. Dominic, I love you. You’re my favorite now. Ash, you hear that? Favorite. You’re officially second place."

We both laughed in the car.

"June!" I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.