Chapter 20: Going to Find Him
Bella couldn't prevent Dominic from leaving, just as she had always been unable to stop him. He sped off into the darkness, leaving no trace.
When the hospital called, she remained calm; she had already guessed the outcome. The media frenzy had resulted in her temporary suspension. These setbacks had numbed her. Things were already bad enough. What more could go wrong?
For three days, there was no sign of Dominic, no news. When Bella finally summoned the courage to call him, she found she had been blocked. A mechanical voice repeated that the call couldn't be connected. Such coldness was typical of him.
Initially, she hoped that once his anger subsided, he would return. At the very least, he should give her a chance to explain, to show him that things weren't as he perceived them, even if he was angry.
But now, fear gripped her. Every time she closed her eyes, she was haunted by the image of him seeing her leave the Quinn residence. The anxiety was tormenting.
She found Ian's contact information and learned that Dominic was on a business trip in Jargue, with no certain return date. She decided to find him.
There were moments in life when one must take the first step, and she had never dared to seek him out before, anywhere, because he always wanted to keep her existence secret. This time, she would.
No flights to Jargue were available at that hour, so she took the fastest high-speed train. On the train, she repeatedly checked the detailed address Ian had given her. She arrived at midnight.
At Dominic's hotel, she saw his familiar figure across the street the moment she exited the car. Dressed in a black dress shirt and trousers, he stood like a cold statue, his sharpness undiminished by the darkness. Several others were with him, likely associates from the Miller Group.
As they approached the hotel, Bella instinctively moved closer. Perhaps sensing her presence, Dominic glanced her way, but instantly looked away. He then put his arm around a slender woman beside him, smiling with a warmth Bella had never seen before. The smile was completely unfamiliar.
Her steps faltered; the scene was jarring. The woman gave Bella a challenging look and snuggled closer to Dominic's shoulder. At that moment, Bella felt her presence was a mistake, making her feel ridiculous. She wanted to escape, but her legs felt heavy, refusing to move.
She should have known Dominic wouldn't care about her or any explanation. The truth was irrelevant. He simply loathed her and wanted nothing more to do with her.
Others looked at Dominic and the woman he embraced, their smiles suggestive. "Mr. Miller, you have excellent taste. We won't disturb you further. Enjoy your time." Dominic didn't deny it. "Enjoy your time," he replied, then walked into the hotel with the woman, without looking back.
As traffic rushed past, Bella stood frozen until Dominic disappeared from view. Night deepened, and in this unfamiliar city, she found no solace and couldn't bring herself to leave.
Unable to enter the hotel, she sat on a bench outside, hoping for a glimpse of him, even a single word. She waited through the night until dawn broke and a faint mist hung in the air. The cold was biting; her body was numb, her face pale.
Suddenly, she heard approaching footsteps. She looked up, a glimmer of hope returning as she saw that familiar face. In a hoarse voice, she said, "You came"
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