Chapter 77: His Wallpaper Is a Picture of Her

Bella, accustomed to his taunts, replied indifferently, "You should get some rest. I'm going back to my room."

As she passed, he grabbed her wrist. She looked at him, puzzled. "What is it?"

Their eyes met. His gaze was calm and steady. "Lia's not in Joville. Who did you meet?"

Bella's breath hitched. He hadn't seemed concerned when she left. How had he checked? She didn't even know if Lia was in Joville.

She lowered her head. "It was a patient, Simon. He was hurt saving me, and he's being discharged today. He's leaving tomorrow, so I'm taking him to dinner. I was going to ask Lia, but she's not in Joville."

Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her picking at her nails—a nervous habit. "Don't say anything if you can't tell the truth."

Bella feared he might investigate Simon, uncovering their connection. Anxiously, she looked up. "I didn't! I just wanted to thank him."

It was close to the truth. She had seen Simon.

Dominic released her wrist, shrugging indifferently. "I was just asking. No need to be so nervous. Since you can't sleep, stay with me and have a couple of drinks." He went downstairs. Bella hesitated, realizing his tone was an order, not a request, before following.

She hadn't eaten dinner and had only had one drink. Her stomach was upset, and the alcohol was making her dizzy.

Dominic turned, opening the liquor cabinet. His phone, on the table, lit up with a notification.

Bella glanced over. A WhatsApp notification caught her eye, followed by a glimpse of his wallpaper: a picture of her.

Bella's eyes widened in shock. Mandy had said he had a photo of her, but she hadn't expected it to be his wallpaper!

She wore a white shirt and light gray plaid skirt, her long hair in a ponytail, a bright smile on her face. She looked young and vibrant, holding a parrot—Richard's parrot—high in her hand. Sunlight dappled through the branches. It was perfect.

The photo was taken in the manor garden, when she was seventeen, she thought. She didn't remember the photo; Dominic must have taken it without her knowing.

When Dominic turned, the phone screen went dark. Bella pretended she hadn't seen anything, nervously picking at her neatly trimmed nails. Her profession prevented long or brightly painted nails, but her fingers were naturally elegant.

Noticing her, Dominic pocketed his phone and poured her a drink.

Bella carefully took the glass, avoiding his gaze. If he disliked her, why the photo?

Based on the angle, he must have taken it from the upstairs balcony. With his photographic eye, it was probably the best photo of her ever taken. Should she pretend she didn't know or ask him?

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