Chapter 23: Your Woman Is With Me

Bella returned to the small town where she'd lived with Dorothy before the age of five. Far from the bustling city, it retained the clear blue skies and fresh air of her memories. Nothing seemed to have changed. After Dorothy's passing, she was buried there, fulfilling her final wish. It was their birthplace, where both she and Dorothy were born, and where Dorothy's suffering had begun.

Returning to this place meant she might never see Dominic again, and that the past two decades would become a forgotten dream. Waking fully from that dream, however, proved more difficult. Fortunately, the house she and Dorothy had rented still stood. Renovated over the years, it now included a courtyard, but ownership had changed.

The house was large enough to be rented out in sections. Feeling a strong attachment to the place, Bella obtained the new owner's contact information and inquired about renting a room. Having received permission, she visited the house to discuss it in person.

Upon arrival, the courtyard gate stood open. She called out, but received no answer. Hesitantly, she entered. The courtyard appeared much as it had before; the grapevine and greenery even more vibrant than she remembered. To her surprise, the rose bush she'd planted as a child was still alive, pruned but tall and blooming. She had always loved plants, and it seemed almost comical to recall her childhood dream of creating a perfect garden for Dominic.

Lost in thought, she heard a clear male voice behind her. "Are you here to rent a room?"

She turned to see strikingly beautiful eyes. The man wore a light gray tank top and matching sweatpants, his slightly long hair partially tied back. Tall and lean, he appeared to have just woken, holding a water cup in one hand and a toothbrush with toothpaste in the other. Despite his casual attire, he didn't look unkempt; perhaps good looks held that power. Bella admitted he was quite handsome.

She introduced herself politely. "Yes, I called earlier about renting a room. Do you live here? Would it be possible to rent one room? It's just me."

He walked to the courtyard faucet, filled his cup, and began brushing his teeth as if alone. Mouth full of toothpaste, he mumbled, "I rent based on vibes. If it's a pretty girl, I'll rent it." He winked. "You meet the criteria."

Bella's mouth twitched; he seemed unserious. She was about to suggest looking elsewhere when his tone shifted to seriousness.

"Eight hundred a month, deposit and three months' rent upfront. Minimum stay of three months. No refunds if you leave early."

The town had developed into a scenic area with high foot traffic; the price was reasonable.

Bella hesitantly asked, "So, do you… always live here?"

He rinsed his mouth, casually wiped his face with a towel, and replied, "No, just recently. So most of the time, it'll be like you're renting the whole place for eight hundred. Quite a deal."

Bella sighed in relief. "Thank you. I'll move in as soon as I can."

While signing the rental agreement, Bella realized she hadn't asked his name. "Um… what's your name? Since we'll be neighbors."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Leonard Sawyer."

The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it. After signing the contract, she returned to her hotel to pack. Leonard watched her leave, then texted, "Dominic, your woman is with me." He added a smirking emoji.

Back in Joville, Dominic was in a meeting when his phone lit up. Instinctively, he opened the message. A faint smile curved his lips; his expression held no surprise.