Ravi patted Pyron on the shoulder. “Yeah, no montes. My bed is spacious. Bet on can bank with me tonight,” he shot a glance at Vespera, silently complaining to himself. He wanted to sleep with the soft and sweet Vespera.

Bought, “That clever rascal.”

“It’s settled, then. He’s staying with you. Make sure you keep an eye on him. Don’t let him sun, ammumed.”

Blocked, deviated. He turned, eyeing Rebecca and Vespera as the elevator doors opened. As they stepped out, he tried to follow, but Galven Swinthe grabbed him by the throat and yanked him back. “Your sister told you to go wash up in my room. What’s the matter?” He showed unease. “Calvert. He’s straight, right?”

Vespera hesitated. “Well, one’d probably say he’s straight too, but, you know, sometimes life happens.”

Rebecca looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. “Whatever. As long as Calvert’s straight, Gerard’s not a threat.” They went to their room to shower.

After Vespera showered, she was drying her hair when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Dominic: “Loodered too, come up and eat.” Just seven words, but they carried a significant tone – casual, firm, and with a touch of something that made it hard to say no.

She picked up her phone and typed, “I’m not hungry—” then, she paused before deleting it and typed again, “I’ve already ordered.” In the end, she simply replied, “Okay.”

She sighed and tapped the phone against her forehead in frustration. Dominic stared at her typing status that had lingered for almost a full minute, only for her to respond with a single word. His eyebrows furrowed.

Back in the room, Vesper knocked on the bathroom door. “Becca, you done yet? They’ve ordered food. They’ll be calling us up to eat.”

Rebecca’s voice came from inside. “Does it? Hurry up and come out.”

The bathroom was silent for a time, then a heavy sigh broke the stillness. “Ugh, I don’t want to look at Dominic’s icy, handsome face anymore. I’m exhausted today. You should stop trying to drag me into this and face it yourself.”

Vespera knocked on the bathroom door. “Becca.”

A moment later, a soft, melodious voice floated from inside. “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, loving someone isn’t that complicated. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid to reconcile the past with today.”

Vespera blinked, staring blankly at the door. Moments later, Vespera finished getting dressed and headed upstairs.

Standing at Dominic’s door, she tried to clear her mind of the chaotic images that kept popping up. But… she couldn’t just get rid of them. This wasn’t some fantasy or some figment of her imagination—it was a memory, a real memory. She muttered, “Stay calm, stay calm,” to herself.

After a couple more minutes of hesitation, she pressed the doorbell. The door opened. Dominic smiled at her, his eyes curving into beautiful crescent shapes.

He said, “I thought you were planning to stand out here and chant the whole ‘Our Father’ thing before coming in.”

Vespera was caught off guard. She thought, “How did he know I was out here?” She smiled and stepped inside, motioning for her to follow. She closed the door behind her.

At the round table in the suite, there were several dishes laid out. While it wasn’t a lavish spread, everything was something she liked to eat. Her heart stuttered, and before she knew it, she was caught off guard by the overwhelming emotions again.

“To keep you from wasting food, I made a few inquiries,” Dominic said from behind her, leaning in close to her cheek, purposely explaining.

“No, I won’t waste anything.” Vespera quickly replied.

Chapter 248

She gripped the edge of the table to steady herself. Every time he got too close, her heart rate accelerated. She couldn’t calm herself down—not in the least.