Chapter 22 Twenty Two
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, soft and golden, but Izzy’s head felt heavy.
She hadn’t slept much.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same two scenes... Sienna slipping her panties into Dominic’s pocket, and Adrian’s lips brushing against hers in that silly, stupid dare.
She sighed and turned on her side. The resort was quiet now, most people already at breakfast or heading to the third-day workshops.
She didn’t feel like facing anyone, but she knew she couldn’t hide either.
So she got up, showered, and dressed simply... beige trousers, white blouse, and her hair tied back neatly. No red lipstick, no bold perfume. Just simple, calm, and clean.
Because today, she told herself, she wouldn’t let her emotions show.
Not after last night.
The conference hall buzzed with voices and laughter when she walked in. She spotted her colleagues at one of the tables and joined them, pretending to listen as they talked about the previous night’s chaos.
“Can you believe Sienna actually did that?” one girl whispered.
“I nearly fainted when she dropped those panties into his pocket,” another said, giggling.
“So bold.”
Izzy forced a small smile, focusing on the paper in front of her. Her stomach felt tight, uneasy.
She could feel his presence even before she saw him.
Dominic Steele.
He entered the hall with his usual calm authority...tall, sharp, dark suit perfectly tailored. He looked untouchable, powerful. But his eyes… his eyes found her almost immediately.
Izzy’s breath hitched.
That look... cold, burning, restrained... it was the same one from last night.
He didn’t smile. He didn’t nod. He just looked at her for a long second before turning away and taking his seat beside Sienna.
Sienna leaned close to him, whispering something that made him smile faintly.
Izzy looked away.
She told herself it didn’t matter. She told herself she didn’t care.
But deep down, it burned.
The day passed slowly. Presentations, meetings, lunch breaks… all a blur. Izzy barely remembered a word anyone said.
By the time the evening approached, her patience was gone. She just wanted to get through the closing dinner and leave.
But as she was packing her files in one of the side offices, the door opened quietly behind her.
She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“Mr. Steele,” she said calmly without looking up, “if this is about tomorrow’s report, I’ll have it ready before…”
“It’s not about the report,” Dominic’s deep voice cut in.
She froze. Slowly, she turned to face him.
He stood there in the doorway, one hand in his pocket, the other loosening his tie slightly. His eyes were darker than usual... a mix of anger and something she couldn’t name.
Izzy straightened her posture, keeping her voice even. “Then what is this about?”
He didn’t answer immediately. He just looked at her... long and hard.
Then, finally, he spoke.
“Was it worth it?”
Her brows furrowed. “What?”
“The little show last night,” he said quietly. “The kiss. With Adrian.”
Izzy blinked, her chest tightening. “It was a game, Dominic. Everyone was playing…”
“Don’t lie to me.” His tone dropped lower. “You enjoyed it didn't you?”
She stepped back slightly, her eyes flashing. “And what if I did? You’ve been cold for weeks, ignoring me, flirting with Sienna in front of everyone, letting her… ” she stopped, swallowing her words before she said something reckless.
“Letting her what?” Dominic stepped closer, his voice rough. “Go on. Say it.”
Izzy’s voice shook slightly, but she didn’t back down. “Letting her act like she owns you. Like the rest of I don’t even exist.”
His jaw tightened. “Sienna means nothing to me.”
“Really?” she shot back. “Because from where I was sitting, it didn’t look that way.”
He took another step closer until she could feel his breath against her cheek. “You don’t get to act jealous, Izzy,” he said softly, dangerously. “You don’t get to look at me like that when you’re letting another man touch you.”
Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. “You don’t own me, Dominic.”
He stared at her... long, silent, unreadable. Then, in one swift move, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.
“Then why do you look at me like that” he demanded. “That's not what you body says when I touch you… that's not what your pussy say begging for it to be fucked.”
Her voice trembled, angry and raw. “Oh because we've had sex. Yes I want you… I want that cock of yours inside me but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. You don't get to act however you like and make demands..
His hand loosened slightly, but his eyes softened just for a second... just enough to make her heart ache.
“Izzy… ”
“No.” She pulled her hand free, taking a shaky breath. “Don’t. Don’t do that.”
“I’m trying to talk to you.”
“No, Dominic,” she said firmly. “You’re trying to control me. You can’t have me when it’s convenient and ignore me when it’s not. I won’t do it anymore.”
For the first time, he looked thrown off... like someone had taken his armor and cracked it open.
“Izzy…”
She stepped back, her eyes glistening. “You need to stay away from me.”
He looked at her quietly for a moment, then clenched his jaw. “You don’t mean that.”
Her voice broke slightly, but her words stayed steady. “I do.”
And before he could say another word, she turned and walked out of the room.
Her steps were quick, her chest tight, but she didn’t stop. She didn’t look back.
Because for once, she needed to choose herself not his games, not his jealousy, not his control.
Just her.
That night, back in her room, Izzy stood by the window, staring at the moonlit lake.
She could still feel his voice in her ears, his grip on her wrist, the heat in his eyes when he said her name.
But for the first time, she didn’t cry.
She just whispered to herself, almost like a promise...
“I’m done letting him decide how I feel.”