Shattered Longings Novel

Chapter 96 More Than Family

Bella tried to stay mad, but it didn’t work. Her hands were stuck, and she couldn’t move.

IndRY DULynched her waist, making her gasp in pain. He

seized the by by by by

Fest 10 Bez tout lighting and let him kiss her. His handseed his

tongue into her mouth.

a while, he pulled back.

Noticing the tears in her eyes, he asked softly, “Are you crying?”

Bella tried to hide her feelings and turned her head. “No, I’m just going back to sleep.”

Her voice sounded soft and a little sad, like a kitten.

her body, but t

t he kept it fairly restrained, knowing they were in a public place. After

7

Dominic’s anger went away, and he said seriously, “You can stay at Lia’s place for now. When Amber leaves, you can move back. I’ll try to keep her from bothering you, but with her attitude, it might be hard. Just try to avoid any trouble.”

He seemed to know Amber well, which made sense since they had been together for two years.

www

Bella’s voice was flat. “So, you came here just to tell me not to go back home now? Why go through all this effort? Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to go back anyway.” Dominic didn’t stop her as she left.

Back in the apartment, Bella stood by the window and looked down. Seeing his car still there made her heart race. Why was he still hanging around? Why was he acting so strange? Why couldn’t he just be the same as before? Why did he have to spark even the smallest hope in her heart, which had already turned cold?

Hy

A

y

Early the next morning, Bella was jolted awake by Lia’s loud yelling. She hadn’t slept well and had dark circles under her eyes. “What’s going on? Can’t I get ten more minutes of sleep?”

Lia shook her awake and shoved her phone in her face. “Wake up and look at this!”

Blinking groggily, Bella saw a notification for a large transfer on the phone. “What’s this? Did someone send you money?”

Lia said, “It’s from Dominic! He even sent me a message saying thanks for taking care of you. It’s like he’s treating you like family–no, more than family. And you still think he doesn’t care? 500 thousand should last you for years!”

Bella’s sleepiness vanished. “He sent the money? You need to send it back. I can take care of myself…”

Lia looked frustrated. “I want to return it, but he said not to. If he’s being this generous now, who knows what he’ll send next–maybe a house?”

Bella rolled her eyes. “Forget it. Just keep the money and use it. I’m going to work. I’m exhausted…”

At the hospital, Bella couldn’t stop feeling uneasy about the money Dominic had sent. Was he trying to make up for not letting her go back to Miller Manor?

He didn’t need to. The manor was his place, and she chose to leave. Just because she had lived there for years didn’t mean she had any right to stay. Dominic didn’t owe her anything.

After her morning work, Bella was too tired to go out for lunch, so she ordered takeout.

While she was unpacking her food, she heard the click of high heels and smelled Amber’s strong perfume coming into the office.

Bella frowned and thought, “What’s she doing here now?”