Chapter 127: Why Pick a Fight Now?

It wasn't until his lips brushed hers that she snapped out of it. She shoved him back. "I'm hungry now!"

Dominic's gaze darkened slightly. Bracing one hand against the bed, he kept her pinned. His other hand effortlessly tugged off his tie. "You just never listen, do you?"

Bella swallowed nervously. "W-What are you doing?"

He didn't answer. With a swift motion, he wrapped the tie around her wrists, binding them together. Her delicate hands looked fragile, and her resistance seemed weak and meaningless. The soft fabric of the tie rubbed against her pale skin, leaving faint red marks. The black pencil skirt she wore was modest yet form-fitting. He easily hiked it up. With the hem pushed to her waist, her long legs were fully exposed.

A deep blush crept across Bella's face as she squirmed, trying to close her legs in protest. However, when he bent down to kiss her again, she was unable to push him away.

The kiss was hot and overpowering, scattering her thoughts. His tongue pried her lips apart, overcoming her resistance. She was breathless, and just as she thought she might pass out from the intensity, he pulled away.

His lips trailed down to her neck and collarbone. It felt like sparks were coursing through her entire body, spreading from wherever he touched, setting her nerves on fire.

His low whisper brushed against her ear. "See? You like me. You can't say no, no matter what I do."

Bella bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to acknowledge the truth. His deliberate teasing was getting to her. She wasn't a robot. Of course, her body would respond.

When he tried to strip away her final layer of defense, she gathered every ounce of courage she had. "Don't you feel disgusted? Doesn't it make you sick to touch me? The woman under you is someone you've hated for twenty years. Get a grip, Dominic."

She knew exactly what buttons to push to provoke him. Sure enough, the moment she finished speaking, the tension in his body shifted and his movements halted. He lifted himself off her and stared at her with cold eyes. "Why pick a fight now of all times?" Bella didn't dare meet his gaze. Instead, she shut her eyes and played dead. Her job was done, and there was no need to say another word.

A long silence filled the room before the pressure on her chest disappeared. She felt the tie slip from her wrists just as the door slammed shut behind him.

Bella was done, but oddly enough, it felt like something inside her had caved in.

She didn't want to dredge up old wounds, but falling deeper into this mess wasn't an option. There was no other way.

A chasm existed between them—one that had formed two decades ago and had been growing ever since, keeping them on opposite sides. Whoever dared to cross it first was doomed to lose everything.

Dominic, as expected, never stayed under the same roof with her after moments like this. He drove away and skipped dinner entirely.

Bella sat alone at the dining table, surrounded by dishes she didn't have the appetite for.

Sylvia tried to coax her into eating. "Ms. Jones, you should at least eat a little. You're so thin. You're a doctor and should know it's unhealthy to be too thin." Bella propped her chin on her hand in frustration and asked, "Did Dominic tell you to keep an eye on me?" Sylvia's gaze shifted uncomfortably. Bella waved her off. "Never mind. I already know. It doesn't matter. What's there to watch anyway?"

Later that night, just as Bella was about to drift off, Lia called her.

"Hello?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.

The first thing she heard was the booming bass of loud music and chaotic noises in the background. Struggling to make sense of it, she groggily advised, "You should stop going to clubs. Be careful with that heart of yours. Take care of it while you're still young." The noise on the other end softened, replaced by Lia's frustrated voice. "Your big brute of a man dragged Oscar out to drink and talk about work. Now, they're both wasted. I can't handle them! Hurry up and get a car over here!"

(Note: The promotional text at the end was removed as requested.)