CHAPTER 229: EMOTIONALLY, NOT PHYSICALLY SORE

Ash’s POV

I stared at the boy I loved with everything in me.

He wasn’t even looking at me...just staring ahead, like breathing itself was exhausting.

And I couldn’t do a thing about it.

It breaks something inside you, you know? Watching someone you love fall apart, knowing your arms can’t fix the world no matter how tightly you hold them.

So I just... went to him.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind, pressed my cheek to his shoulder, and stayed there until I felt his breathing hitch.

He turned a little, softening his eyes.

"Hey, babe. I’m so sorry for snapping in there. I shouldn’t have raised my voice on you, it’s just..."

"Hey, hey, hey." I cut him off, gently turning him toward me. "Dom, there’s nothing to apologize for."

He shook his head. "I fucked up big time. I was so angry at my dad that I snapped in front of the people who came to celebrate my birthday. Ash, I literally said ’fuck all of you’."

He dragged both hands through his hair. "Now it’s haunting me. It’s everywhere. The videos, the comments....God, I’m stupid. I hate myself."

I grabbed his wrists before he could pull his hair again. "No, you’re not stupid. You were angry and hurt. You had every right to be. No one should’ve put you in that position."

He shook his head again.

"The news came out of nowhere but... technically, I knew. My dad told me weeks ago."

I froze. "Knew about what?"

"I knew about my dad running for mayor," he said quietly. "I just didn’t tell you earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I didn’t think it would lead to... this."

My stomach sank. "Dom..."

"I just..." he exhaled. "I can’t stop replaying it. My dad’s face, the cameras, the silence after I yelled. I ruined everything."

I stepped closer, resting my forehead against chest. "You didn’t ruin anything, okay? You reacted like a human being. The internet will move on....it always does. Give it three days and they’ll find another victim to chew up."

He looked at me, eyes rimmed red. "Yeah, but it doesn’t change the fact that my dad literally engaged me to the mayor’s daughter. On my birthday, Ash. I just turned twenty-one, I’m finally figuring out who I am, what I want... who I love. And he does this? Like my happiness doesn’t even count?"

His voice cracked on that last word.

"I can’t...I can’t live like this anymore."

"Dom!"

"No," he said firmly. "I’m coming out to my dad. I don’t care what he thinks about me. How homophobic he gets. I can’t keep hiding when I’ve finally found something real with you."

My heart jumped..

"Babe..." I held his face gently. "Please don’t make decisions on impulse. I know you’re angry, but your dad’s not just anyone. He’s...he’s the kind of man who uses love as a weapon. You need to go in prepared."

He sighed, dropping his eyes to the floor. "Yeah. I know."

"Alright," I whispered, rubbing his back lightly. "Your friends are worried sick. Let’s go downstairs, yeah? Hear what they think."

He nodded slowly.

So we walked in together.

Everyone turned as soon as we entered.... the air got heavy again. You could feel it.

June’s lip was trembling like she didn’t know if she should cry or stay quiet.

Ian’s usual smirk was gone, just worry sitting heavy in his eyes.

Even Jasper looked like someone hit pause on his chaos mode.

I guided him to a stool, resting my hand against his back, like maybe I could hold him up through the shaking.

No one spoke for a few seconds.

Ian finally broke the silence.

"So..." he said, looking between us. "What’s the plan?"

Dominic didn’t answer. Just stared blankly at the counter. His hands were still shaking a little... I could see the faint tremor in his fingers.

He exhaled shakily.

"I don’t even know where to start."

So I spoke. "He’ll talk to his dad first," I said quietly. "Clear things up, figure out where he stands before anyone else spins it further."

"That’s what I keep saying," Ian nodded. "We just need to handle this smart."

Jasper rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, ’cause the internet’s already building conspiracy theories. Someone even made a fake wedding flyer...like bro, it’s less than 12 hours."

Casper muttered under his breath, "Welcome to fame. Blink and the world builds a story about you."

I glanced at Dominic, he wasn’t even really hearing them anymore. Just zoning out, lost somewhere else.

So I reached for his hand under the counter.

And when he squeezed back, just barely, I knew he was still holding on.

"Okay fine," Dominic said after a long silence. "I’ll go talk to my dad. After I drop Ash off at the hospital."

There was a beat of quiet. Then Ian frowned.

"Hospital? Bro, you’re public news right now. You can’t be seen in any public area for the next few days. People are literally tracking your car location on X."

"But I promised to..."

"Dom," Ian cut in, "you cannot show up there. They’ll get pictures of you sneezing and write ’Billionaire Heir spreads disease in hospital corridor.’

"I don’t care," Dominic snapped. "Ash needs to go, and I.. I have to sort him..."

"Still playing lover boy even while your life’s crashing down," Jasper muttered, slouching back. "Respectfully, you’re insane."

"Jasper," June warned.

"What?! He’s loyal and stupid."

I sighed, touching Dom’s arm lightly. "Babe, you don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine. I can just take a cab."

He turned to me immediately, that stubborn spark flashing in his eyes. "No. No way I’m letting you go on your own. After everything that keeps happening."

"Dom, please.."

"I said no."

"Okay, how about I drop him off?" Jasper offered, raising his hand to volunteer.

Dominic didn’t even look at him. "Anyone else that’s not Jasper?"

"Wow," Jasper muttered. "Disrespectful. After all the emotional support I give?"

"Ren?" Dominic asked, turning to the softest one in the room.

Ren blinked, and shook his head. "I didn’t bring my car."

"Of course you didn’t," Jasper murmured.

"Ian?" Dominic tried next.

Ian froze. "What? Don’t look at me like that. I can’t leave juney alone. I have to take care of her. She’s still sore."

The entire room froze.

June’s jaw dropped. "I’m what?!"

Jasper immediately lost it, wheezing. "He said you’re sore. My God, Ian."

Everyone gasped....even Casper glanced up from his phone.

Ian immediately started waving his hands. "I didn’t mean sore! I meant... she’s sad! You know, like, emotionally sore. Not...body sore. Why are y’all looking at me like that?"

"Oh my God, Ian," June groaned, face buried in her hands.

"I’m gonna cry," Jasper said, laughing. "He said sore with his chest."

Ian pointed at him. "You shut up! You’re the reason no one takes this house seriously!"

"Okay," Casper finally said, standing from the couch.

Everyone went quiet for a second.

Casper said quietly, slipping his phone into his pocket. "I’ll do it. I’ll drive him. Before Ian says sore again."

Dominic looked at him for a second, then finally nodded. "Alright. He’ll need to pick up Alia before going to the hospital."

"Cool," Casper said.

Jasper immediately straightened up. "Please can I come along? I swear I’ll behave this time. I’ll even bring snacks."

Dominic gave him a long, tired look. "Fine. But I’m only agreeing because you’re not driving.

You drive like trying to prove something to God. I can’t risk my Ash’s life."

Jasper clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow. Attacked. Emotionally sore."

"Awwwn," June said, giggling now. "He said my Ash’s life. That’s so cute."

We all laughed quietly....even Dominic. But his hand still trembled when he reached for mine.

And I just squeezed his hand back.