Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 264 Will You Believe Me if I Say My Hands Are Just Shaking

When Dominic threw Bella's diary to the floor all those years ago, it felt like her world had shattered. She never imagined things would turn out the way they did. THUN

As they stopped at a red light, Dominic suddenly said, "If I told you I was so shocked that my hands were shaking, and I just couldn't hold on to your diary and those drawings. Would you still feel like your dignity was trampled? Bella, stunned, tried to recall the details from back then.

It had been over seven years, and she could only vaguely remember his expression and the words he had used. The finer details had blurred over time. She had always believed his reaction had been full of disdain and disgust. How could it have just been his hands shaking from shock?

But in the end, none of that mattered anymore.

She smiled faintly. "Honestly, if I'd been in your shoes, I probably would've done worse. Who could accept love from someone who caused their family to fall apart? If I could, I'd wish I'd never set foot in the Miller residence

"I loved my mom, but I resented her too. She knew she had met a piece of trash, so why did she still bring me into this world, knowing I'd be a burden? If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have worked herself sick, wouldn't have died the way she did, and would've never gone to the Millers for help."

It was the first time Bella had ever spoken so openly about Dorothy in front of Dominle. It was the first time she had allowed herself to be vulnerable. She hall-expected him to snap and get angry, but he didn't

The light turned green, and the car started moving again. Dominic remained silent, and they drove the rest of the way home without another word. When they arrived at Miller Manor, Bella was the first to step out of the car. She immediately went to look for Pudding, knowing she would come running to greet her.

A dog's life was short, and she didn't want to miss a single one of Pudding's welcomes.

Life always left behind regrets. Small moments would slip through your fingers before you even realized they were gone.

If Bella had known in advance that Dorothy's time was limited, she would have stayed by her side. She would've been obedient and attentive, never missing a chance to be with her. She had been regretting it ever since

Dominic followed Bella at a relaxed pace, slowly lighting a cigarette. The faint glow flickered in his hand as smoke curled upward, carrying with it a quiet sense of melancholy.

"Hey, draw a portrait of me tomorrow," he said suddenly.

Hearing his voice, Bella stopped and turned to face him. "I haven't drawn in forever. I'm rusty. It'll turn out bad, so forget it."

Dominic raised an eyebrow, a touch of exasperation in his tone. "It's fine. I'm good-looking enough to survive whatever you draw, as long as it doesn't

look too awful

Bella stuck her tongue out playfully. "Do you have to be so full of yourself? We'll see tomorrow, I'm going to take a shower. Goodnight."

Though she hadn't committed to drawing him right away, she still went out to buy new art supplies the next morning. Her old tools had been neglected for so long that some were missing

When she returned with her arms full of shopping bags, Dominic was already awake. Seeing her come back, he asked, "Where'd you go?"

She set the bags down and sighed with relief. "Shopping, obviously. Didn't you ask for a portrait? When do you want me to start?"

Her

gave her a quiet, steady look. "Now. Let's go to my room."

Bella hesitated, feeling something off about the suggestion. "Can't we do it in the garden? Or if it's too cold, the living room would be fine too." Dominic immediately dismissed the idea. "I like the peace and quiet. Don't you need a calm space to draw? Come on, let's go." Deciding to just go along with it, Bella gathered her sketchba

and pencils and followed him to his room.

She set up a chair by the floor-to-ceiling window, adjusting his position herself so that it would be easier to sketch him.

As she leaned in, her hair accidentally brushed against his nose, leaving behind a faint, sweet scent.

His gaze darkened as he muttered, "Why not make it a nude portrait?"