Shattered Longings Novel

Chapter 37 How Long Did You Plan to Leave Me?

Amidst her confusion and internal struggle, Bella didn’t fall asleep until the sky began to lighten. When she finally woke up, it was already a sunny afternoon.

She expected the hospital director to call and reprimand her for not coming to work, but to her surprise, the director hadn’t made any fuss at all.

She went outside to the courtyard to freshen up, and Leonard followed her with a smug expression, saying. “I told you that you’re not going anywhere.”

Bella, brushing her teeth with irritation, wanted to spray him with toothpaste foam. How could he be so confident that he understood her so well?

Although she was still conflicted, she was leaning toward staying for the time being. If she decided to leave, she would do so only after Dominic had left to avoid giving him the impression that she was leaving just because she didn’t want to see him.

Good weather never lasted forever. After several days of clear skies, heavy rain finally arrived.

Raindrops pounded against the grape trellis. The young grapevines, not yet bearing fruit, seemed unable to withstand the onslaught. Soon, the ground was littered with fallen green grapes.

The only downside to this house was its poor sound insulation. The noise of the rain was so loud that Bella couldn’t sleep.

She took an umbrella and walked under the grape trellis, stepping into the icy rainwater and reminiscing about the times when Dorothy had scolded her for playing in the water as a child.

Dorothy was so gentle that even when scolding her. Yet her mother had only been with her for five years, and she hadn’t had time to remember many details about her.

Suddenly, the door to Dominic’s room opened. He stepped out onto the eaves to smoke, the flickering flame illuminating his stunningly handsome face. The smoke slowly rose into the air and quickly dissipated by the rain.

Bella instinctively stood up straight and stopped herself from splashing around in the water. Regardless of the time or place, one always instinctively tries to maintain dignity in front of someone they like.

Dominic finished his cigarette but didn’t go back inside. It seemed like he was looking at Bella through the darkness.

The noisy rain continued with no sign of stopping. Dominic appeared to say something, but Bella couldn’t hear clearly. She saw him turn and enter the house, leaving the door ajar.

Bella guessed that he might be inviting her in. After hesitating for a moment, she walked under the eaves and closed her umbrella. “What did you just say?”

Dominic went to a small table in the room, poured two cups of hot tea, and took a sip from one before casually saying. “How old are you, and you’re still splashing in the water? How childish.”

Bella felt slightly embarrassed, standing at the doorway, unsure of what to say. Given what had happened before she left Joville, she thought they would never be able to speak so calmly face to face again. Now, with things so unexpectedly calm, she felt at a loss and couldn’t gauge what he was thinking. “Are you not coming in because you’re afraid I’ll eat you?” Dominic asked and frowned in displeasure. Bella walked in, still dazed. Before she could settle, Dominic added, “Close the door, the wind is strong and the rain is blowing in.”

Chapter 37 How Long Do You Plan to Leave Me?

Bella obediently shut the door and turned to find that, after cutting off the wind and rain, they were in such a small space.

The house had four rooms in total, and Dominic occupied the largest and best one, but it still paled in comparison to Miller Manor.

They faced each other in silence. This was a good opportunity for Bella to explain the situation with Felix, but she chose not to. It seemed unnecessary.

Explanations that didn’t happen at the right moment lost their original significance.

After a long pause, Dominic broke the silence. “How long did you plan to leave me?”

Chapter 38 A Debt You Can Never Repay