Chapter 11: THUD
DOMINIC
I tell myself not to move. Not to react. Not to ruin everything.
But the moment Nick says the word marriage, something inside me snaps.
My hand closes around the edge of the shoe rack beside me, my knuckles tightening as I steady myself. I don’t trust my body to stay still otherwise. My chest feels too tight. My head feels choked, like a riot is going on inside it.
This is how it’s supposed to go. Nick proposes and Grace says yes. That's the end of the damn story.
I'm supposed to know they getting married is inevitable.
And still… some stupid, reckless part of me prays she won’t accept.
Damn it, Dominic. She’s your brother’s woman.
I shouldn’t feel this way.
The silence stretches and I can’t tell what's taking her so long to answer. Every second drags like torture.
After what feels like eternity, I finally hear it.
“No.”
For a split second, I think my mind created it.
Then…
Wait… what?
GRACE
I don’t know what comes over me, but the answer just slips out before I can stop it.
“No.”
The color drains from Nick’s face as he stares at me like he's about to go insane.
“What do you mean, no?” he asks quietly.
My heart is beating too fast. I drag a shaky hand down my face, trying to collect myself.
“I’m sorry, Nick. I—” I pause, exhaling slowly. “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t exactly mean it like that.”
I start to pull back, needing space, needing to breathe in fresh air, but his hand closes around my arm before I can fully step away.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he asks. His voice is still calm, and somehow, that makes it worse.
“Can we just… talk tomorrow, Nick?” I say quietly. “I think I’m just exhausted right now.”
He frowns. “Exhausted? You were fine a minute ago. You can’t just suddenly be tired. What’s this really about?”
I gently pull my arm from his grasp, stepping back just enough to breathe without feeling his warmth pressing into me.
I don’t know why, but suddenly… I don’t want to rush anything with him.
And a small, traitorous part of my mind whispers it also has something to do with Dominic.
No. That’s absolutely crazy.
“There’s nothing going on,” I say quickly. “We’re definitely getting married. I just need… time.”
He steps forward, closing the space again before I can retreat.
“Wait,” he cuts in smoothly, but there’s an edge underneath it. “Where is this coming from? Just yesterday, you were excited to marry me. Then you meet my family and suddenly you’re unsure? Is this a joke or something?”
“No, it’s not!” I snap, sharper than I mean to. “I’m just… not as sure anymore. First, you keep hiding things from me. And now this Samantha girl is acting like I should be afraid of her. She’s clingy. Possessive. Like I’m the outsider.”
He lets out a short scoff. “Are you jealous right now?”
What? Jealous? My chest tightens. Maybe part of my fear is him hiding things from me. I don’t know what but I can feel it.
“I’m not jealous,” I finally say firmly. “I’m unsettled. I’m supposed to be the person you share everything with, Nick, but think about it. What do I actually even know about you? Almost nothing, not even your family until today. I keep trying to understand you, but you’re not giving me the chance.”
My voice drops, heavy with emotions heavier than my breathing.
He exhales, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I’m not hiding anything from you, Grace. I brought you to meet my mother. That should count for something. I’ve never done that with anyone else.”
I give a dry, tired smile. “Then tell me the history between you two.”
His brows crease. “You mean my brother?”
“Yes,” I say flatly. “Dominic.”
The air shifts instantly. And just then, a soft thud follows.
A sharp, unmistakable sound hits the floor from inside my bedroom.
My heart leaps out of my chest in shock as Nick’s head snaps toward the door.
Shit.