CHAPTER 218: THE BEST PART OF TONIGHT

The air smelled like sea salt, candles, and something faintly sweet....maybe vanilla or jasmine essence.

Inside, the place looked untouched.

An old piano in one corner, shelves filled with books and seashells, pictures of Dominic’s grandma smiling from the walls.

Inside was warm. Cozy.

The others were already inside....Casper on the couch, Ren scrolling through his phone, Jasper leaning against the window.

Then Dominic came down the stairs.

He looked exhausted.

Still dressed from the party, but with that sad smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Hey," he said softly. "Thanks for driving them over."

Ian shrugged, setting the bags down. "No big deal," he said with a small grin. "As long as it gives me more time to spend with Juney, I don’t mind the drive."

June groaned softly. "Pfft, you’re impossible."

"Yeah," Ian said, smirking. "That’s the charm."

Dominic smiled faintly but it didn’t last. His shoulders sank again, eyes darting toward the floor like the weight of everything was pressing back in.

I stepped closer. "Dom..." I said quietly. "Are you okay?"

He hesitated, looking at me for a long moment.

His expression softened a little, like the question almost broke him.

"Not really," he admitted finally. "But I’ll be fine."

I nodded, unsure what else to say.

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "Come on," he said after a pause. "Let’s go upstairs. I’ll explain everything."

I turned to June, who was helping Ian put the stuff away.

She caught my gaze and gave a small wave.

I smiled back before following Dominic up the wooden staircase.

The laughter downstairs started fading, replaced by the creak of old wood beneath our feet and the heaviness of whatever Dominic was about to say next.

Dominic’s room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the small lamp near the bed.

He sat down on the edge, elbows on his knees, face buried in his hands.

I stood there for a second, unsure what to do.

Finally, I walked closer and crouched in front of him.

"Hey," I whispered.

He didn’t look up.

"Dominic," I said again, reaching up to touch his wrist.

His skin was warm.

He finally lifted his head. His eyes were red.

"I can’t even think straight," he said quietly. "Everything’s a mess."

Without saying anything, I reached for the first button on his shirt and started to undo it.

He didn’t stop me, just stared like he wasn’t sure what I was doing.

"You look like you can’t breathe," I murmured. "Let’s fix that."

One by one, I loosened the buttons. His chest rose and fell slowly, like he was finally letting some air in.

Then I moved behind him and started massaging his shoulders.

"You’re so tense," I whispered.

He didn’t answer. Just sat there, lowering his head slightly with every exhale.

After a while, he reached up and covered my hands with his.

His voice cracked when he spoke. "Ash..."

"Yeah?"

He turned around, as tears welled up in his eyes. His hands slid from my wrists down to my waist, holding me like he was afraid I’d disappear.

"I don’t know what to do," he said. "I’m really sorry for what happened today. I swear I didn’t know about that stupid engagement. Please don’t hate me."

My chest tightened.

How could he think I’d hate him after everything he went through today?

Today was supposed to be his birthday.

He should’ve been out laughing with his friends, eating cake, drunk. Not this. Not crying in a dark beach house because his dad turned his life into a press stunt.

How could his own father do this to him?

How could anyone take something so simple...his day, and twist it into control and humiliation?

I hated that man. I hadn’t even met him properly, but I hated the way Dominic flinched at his name, the way his voice got small when he talked about him. I hated that he made someone as bright as Dom feel like a mistake for being himself.

I moved closer, wrapping my arms around him from behind, pressing my cheek against his shoulder. He was shaking, quietly.

"Hey," I whispered. "You don’t have to apologize, okay? None of this is your fault. Just don’t shut me out."

He buried his face against my stomach, and tightened his arms around me. His body trembled, quiet sobs escaping before he could stop them.

I ran my fingers through his hair, trying to calm him, to let him know I was there.

He turned his head slightly, trying to read my face.

"He shouldn’t have that kind of power over you," I went on. "You’re his son, not his business plan. You deserve better than being used like some headline."

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"My dad’s not easy to handle," he said. " You have no idea. He plans everything, controls everyone.."

I felt his words settle heavy in my chest. The helplessness in his voice made my stomach twist again.

I felt him take a deep breath.

"I don’t even know what’s going to happen next," he continued. "After tonight, after I walked out like that... he’s going to lose it. And I...." He stopped, his voice cracked. "I’m scared, Ash. He’ll find a way to twist this."

I knelt down so we were eye level. His eyes were red, his lips trembled a little.

"Hey," I whispered, touching his cheek. "Then let him twist it. You’re still standing here. You didn’t let him win tonight."

He shook his head, frustrated. "You don’t get it, Ash. When my dad’s angry, he plans. He’ll twist everything until I’m the villain. And I can’t let him drag you into it too."

"Dominic," I said softly, holding his face in my hands, "you’re not dragging me anywhere. I chose to be here. With you."

He stared at me like he didn’t know whether to believe it.

"Ash," he trailed his fingers on my lips. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, babe," I said quietly. "Happy birthday, again."

He smiled weakly... the kind of smile that made his dimples show even when he tried to hide them.

"You deserve the world, you know that?" I added. "And I don’t care what anyone says, you’re still the best part of tonight."

He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.

Then my phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the moment.

Ian just sent me a message telling me to drag Dom’s ass downstairs.

"We should go downstairs," I told him softly.

Dominic groaned again. "No," he mumbled. "I want to stay here with you all night. I’m so tired."

I smiled, brushing my fingers through his hair. "I know, baby. But they’re all waiting. Probably something important."

He didn’t move. So, I started massaging his scalp gently, running my nails lightly through his soft hair.

His eyes fluttered shut, the corners of his mouth lifting a little.

"Come on," I said with a small laugh. "If you go downstairs now, you can do anything you want with me tonight. Deal?"

He cracked one eye open. "You promise?"

"Promise."

That got him to sit up, still holding onto my hand like he didn’t want to let go.

"Okay," he said finally. "Let’s go."