The excruciating pain drained the color from Bella's face. She had no idea how Dominic discovered her part-time job, nor how she had angered him. She bit her lip, remaining silent. She didn't want to explain, nor did she feel the need. He believed Dorothy had brought her to Miller Manor because of their wealth, a belief that led to his parents' divorce. She didn't know how to correct him. Her silence enraged Dominic. He pushed her onto the couch, mocking, "If you want money, I can give it to you. Wouldn't it be easier to sleep with me than flirt with multiple men?"

He was behaving like a beast unleashed. Bella curled up, begging, "Don't say that Please, don't be like that. Things aren't what you think they are."

Dominic silenced her with a kiss. His kisses were always fierce, and bit by bit, he stole her breath. Bella panted, tears clinging to her eyelashes. She didn't want to fall into this rabbit hole of longing for his affection; it would only make leaving harder.

Suddenly, she bit his tongue. The metallic taste of blood filled their mouths. Dominic hissed in pain. His bony fingers closed around her throat, but he didn't apply much pressure. Bella's eyes were glassy, her cheeks flushed. She caught her breath through parted lips. Glaring at him stubbornly, she insisted, "Stop treating me like this. I didn't sleep with you on purpose I do love you, but I'm not that meek and pitiful. It was an accident."

Indeed, on her eighteenth birthday, he'd unexpectedly discovered her crush on him. He'd heartlessly thrown her journal and paintings onto the floor and left, only returning in the early hours of the morning. Feeling devastated, unable to sleep, she felt as though the sky had fallen. Dominic had discovered her secret. How would she face him?

Half-awake, she heard him return. She wanted to explain. After much hesitation, she knocked. He dragged her onto his bed, spilling the hangover soup she'd prepared for him onto the floor.

It was a night of passion. Afterward, he insisted she had seduced him. Bella didn't want to absolve herself of all responsibility. If she hadn't gone to his room, they wouldn't have slept together. One could say she had invited it. Since then, Dominic would occasionally get drunk and go to her room. As his visits increased, she fantasized about their future.

However, she gradually realized it didn't matter how many times they slept together; she was only humiliating herself. She would never be the woman he loved. He chuckled, his lips curling mockingly. "You've never refused it. In fact, you even seemed to welcome it. Were they all accidents?" Bella was speechless. Dominic said nothing more; he simply ripped open her shirt.

His phone rang at the worst possible moment. He paused to answer. Bella scrambled away, disappearing into the stairwell. His gaze darkened as he watched her go. "Hello."

"I've found it. His name is Felix Quinn, and he's Ms. Jones' classmate from university. They weren't close back then."

The furrow in Dominic's brow smoothed. He hung up immediately. Bella had invaded his world and wouldn't escape his grasp without his permission.

Emerging from the shower, Bella heard his car drive away. Dominic had left. She exhaled deeply. Thankfully, they hadn't slept together again. If they had, she doubted she could ever leave.

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