Chapter 39: Are You Coming With Me or Not?

"Where are you going?" Bella asked, frowning.

Leonard sighed. "My father called. I have to go on an overseas business trip. It's unavoidable. I have no idea when I'll be able to return."

Just then, Dominic emerged from his room. Bella clamped her mouth shut and quickly finished her morning routine before rushing to the hospital.

After Leonard left, Dominic became even busier. He was often away all day, usually returning long after Bella had finished work. His assistant, Magdalena, and her team were equally busy.

Since Bella finished work early, she prepared dinner for them to eat upon their return, but she always avoided joining them. After that night, a strange tension existed between her and Dominic, so she avoided him whenever possible.

Dominic had mentioned a two-week stay, and the time had flown by. Bella sensed their project was nearing completion. An inexplicable unease settled in her heart. Had he not come, would she have found peace? While cooking, Magdalena joined her in the kitchen. "We're heading back to Joville tomorrow." Bella tensed. "Oh, I see… Safe travels!"

Magdalena smiled. "Aren't you coming back with us? Are you really going to stay here forever? The development project will take at least another year to complete, and it's quite large. If Mr. Miller doesn't oversee things here, he probably won't…" Bella remained impassive. "I don't plan on returning anytime soon. I know he'll only check on a project like this once, so he probably won't come again."

Magdalena sighed. "Ms. Jones, after almost twenty years in one place, can you really adapt to such a sudden change?"

Bella pursed her lips. "This is where I was born. It's not exactly unfamiliar."

Magdalena fell silent, but Bella knew she was trying to persuade her to return to Joville. She couldn't tell if it was Magdalena's own idea or if Dominic was behind it. Knowing Dominic, he probably wouldn't resort to such indirect methods.

Night fell, and Bella remained sleepless. The bright moonlight, filtering through the tree branches, painted the room in silvery hues, but offered no comfort.

Suddenly, her phone chimed, breaking the silence.

Bella assumed it was Lia and casually unlocked her phone, only to see Dominic's number. Surprised, she wondered if he had unblocked her.

The message was short and to the point: six words, without punctuation, yet it stirred a storm of emotions.

Are you coming back to Joville

Ten minutes later, she replied, "No. There's no point in going back."

Indeed, there was no point. She had left to close the chapter on a meaningless past, so why return?

Bella had made her decision. As soon as he left, she would leave too. This place wasn't for her. In such a vast world, there had to be a place for her.

When she woke the next morning, Dominic's subordinates were already packed and ready to leave. Bella brushed her teeth absentmindedly, glancing at the front door frequently. She assumed Dominic was already in the car, but then she saw him emerge from his room.

She quickly looked away, trying to appear calm. "So, you're leaving? Have a safe trip!"

Dominic stood beside her. "I'm asking you one last time—are you coming with me or not?"

(The promotional text for FindNovel.net has been removed.)