Chapter 137: How Did I Oppress You?

Dominic ended the call. Bella immediately jumped up. "Ian, how could you be so ungrateful? How could you eat the food I bought for you and side with him?"

Ian chuckled. "I'm not siding with him, and it's not like he's going to eat you. I'm going to check the wards. You can throw away the trash."

It was past 11:00 PM when they left work. Bella and Ian went to the parking lot before parting ways.

Exhausted from the long day, Bella longed only for home, a bath, and sleep.

Returning to Miller Manor, she trudged in, weary. The manor was quiet, prompting her to lighten her footsteps; she knew people were easily influenced by their surroundings. Passing Dominic's room, she listened for any noise. Hearing none, she assumed he was asleep.

After showering and returning to her room, she found her bedroom door open and the light on. She remembered closing the door. Besides Sylvia and Dominic, no one else would enter. Sylvia was asleep, leaving only Dominic. Remembering Ian's prank, she smiled bitterly, wishing she hadn't been so flippant. Had Dominic entered her room to make her pay?

Maintaining a calm façade, she entered. Dominic sat in a chair, seemingly waiting, playing with the wooden figurines by her bedside—a gift from Lia. [Remove the findnovel.net advertisement]

"You sure took your time in the shower," he said.

He turned at her footsteps. His expression was calm. "We—"

Bella coughed. "If I remember correctly, you always take longer showers. Why aren't you in bed? It's late."

Exhausted, she hoped he'd take the hint; any conversation could wait until tomorrow. Sleep was her priority.

He put down the figurines and stood. His tone was slightly aggressive. "When did you ever time my showers? Also, explain how I've oppressed you."

Dread filled Bella's heart. His questions were exactly what she'd feared.

She chose to answer the latter. "I—I was joking with Ian, speaking nonsense. Don't take me seriously. Even if you did oppress me, I grew up under your guidance. Isn't that a good thing? If there's no lasting harm, it's not really oppression, right?"

Her vague reply caused Dominic to frown. He slowly approached and pinned her against the wall.

He looked at her inquisitively. "You seemed quite talkative with Ian, so why are you so scared with me?"

Bella mustered courage. "You've hated me for twenty years, so I've lived in fear. Twenty years… doesn't that count as oppression?"

She felt Dominic take a deep breath, holding back his anger.

She gulped, her face close to his chest, which rose and fell gently. She sensed his contained rage, the potential for it to erupt. He broke the silence. "Don't you feel you've been living much better than before?"

Dog They Raised Together (This appears to be a separate, incomplete title. It needs context.)