Chapter 178: Not a Joke to Make

Bella despised being manipulated, blindly following him into one trap after another. She was losing her grip on reality, blurring the lines between dreams and waking life.

When she awoke, the sky was dark. Pudding lay beside her bed. Bella smiled and patted her head. "Have you been with me all day? You're such a good girl!"

Pudding licked her hand. Her eagerness to please saddened Bella. "You don't need to be so careful," she reassured her. "We won't leave you. Nobody will. From now on, this is your—"

The sound of a car downstairs signaled Dominic's return. Pudding, with Bella's permission, dashed downstairs. Even for a dog, her movements were remarkably graceful. Bella remained in her room until dinner, then slowly descended.

As she sat at the table, Dominic slid a glass of delicious-looking chamomile tea before her.

She pushed it away. "Let's end this. Let's go back to how things were. We've been together twenty years. Give me a way out."

He replied casually, "What are you thinking about? Sylvia made it for you. It's your choice whether you drink it."

Bella was dumbfounded. She pursed her lips. "It's not just this. I give up. Let's pretend I never liked you; you really don't have to do this. If you want revenge, find another way." Dominic's expression turned serious. "Why did you take care of me when I was injured?"

"Because I owed you. I did everything to compensate, to even things out. No matter how kind I am, it's because I should be. But I'm begging you, don't be kind to me. I can't take this as a joke."

A cold sneer twisted his face. "I don't need your compensation. Accept my kindness, and deal with it when I'm not kind. Bella, stop being ungrateful. I haven't the time or energy for games." He placed a piece of meat on her plate with a sulky expression.

Chapter 170: Nor

Bella couldn't understand him. She'd been completely open, yet she felt bewildered.

After their unpleasant dinner, neither spoke when they met in the garage the next day. They simply drove away in separate cars. [The FindNovel.net advertisement has been removed.]

Bella felt helpless. If she hadn't confronted him, she might have fallen for him. But now, their situation was awkward. No matter what she chose, only torment remained.

At the hospital, she overheard people discussing Ian's situation. Steven had invited the media to his wedding, revealing Ian's identity as his son. Steven's previous remarriage announcement had omitted his bride's identity, explaining Ian's late discovery. It seemed a perfectly orchestrated performance; no one could guess the father and son's thoughts.

However, people were more interested in Ian's family background. Already a respected professor, the revelation that he was the Clarke family heir was the most exciting news.

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