Chapter 50: Dr. Rachel
Liora still carried traces of doubt in her heart, but she slowly lifted her chin and pressed her lips against Dominic’s. The kiss was soft, hesitant like a promise she wasn’t sure she could fully keep.
Dominic stilled for a moment, then exhaled quietly, as if soothed by something only she could give him. Bracing himself on his arms, he carefully shifted his weight away from her, though he didn’t truly let go. One arm still rested around her waist, holding her close.
He had lived alone for so many years surrounded by wealth but empty of warmth that now, with someone finally beside him, he found himself unwilling to release her completely. “Dear” Liora murmured softly, her voice thinning into a quiet plea as his body was heavy against hers, and though she didn’t dislike it, she struggled beneath the weight.
Reluctantly, Dominic loosened his hold and instead drew her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her in a firm embrace.
“Liora…” he whispered, his voice low and almost fragile. “When will you truly be mine in every way?”
Her heartbeat stumbled because he knew exactly what he meant and that answer was something she could not give him now.
“As long as you continue the treatment,” she said gently, trying to steady her voice, “you’ll recover one day and you’ll return to normal.”
He went quiet for a beat, then asked in a tone laced with raw hunger, “And when that day comes will you give yourself to me willingly?”
The question burned in the air between them.
Liora hesitated before answering, choosing her words carefully. “…Recover first,” she said softly. “Then we can talk about everything else.”
A spark ignited in Dominic’s chest, spreading like wildfire through his veins. Anticipation flared within him, sharp and dangerous he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, then reached for the blanket and pulled it over them.
Liora helped tuck the covers around him with quiet attentiveness, her fingers were gentle, careful, almost reverent. “I’ll never leave you,” she said with a small smile.
The sincerity in her words was disarming.
Dominic tightened his arms around her and murmured, “Goodnight, Liora.”
Silly girl, precious girl.
If only she could remain beside him forever her warmth dissolving the endless cold that had lived inside him for years.
Liora didn’t respond within moments, her breathing evened out and she fell asleep so quickly it stirred a faint envy in him.
Dominic studied her peaceful face for a long time before pressing another kiss to her forehead then, carefully disentangling himself, he slipped out of the room.
The moment he stepped into the hallway, Mr. Lawrence was already waiting. “Young Master,” the older man said quietly, “your father has frozen your financial resources.”
Dominic’s lips curved into a cold, sardonic smile. “Let him.”
This confrontation had been inevitable, a silent war between father and son power against power, will against will. It should have begun long ago.
One day, he would settle everything he would make the head of the Blackwood family pay.
“What are your instructions now?” Mr. Lawrence asked.
“Contact Rachel,” Dominic replied calmly. “Tell her my condition is improving ask her to come and continue my treatment.”
Rachel was one of the few physicians he trusted and one of the few who knew the truth.
Liora awoke to a pair of eyes quietly watching her soft, intent and almost tender.
“Good morning,” she said sleepily, her voice warm with lingering drowsiness. Dominic’s gaze deepened. “You know what would make this morning perfect?” he asked lazily. “A good morning kiss.”
He leaned closer and shyness flooded her instantly. Liora buried her face in the blanket, but it only made things worse his scent surrounded her crisp and cool, like pine forests after rain.
Her eyes accidentally drifted downward.
His pajama shirt hung open, revealing firm muscles kissed by early sunlight streaming through the curtains the contrast between his composed expression and the strength beneath the fabric made her breath catch.
Before she realized what she was doing, she reached out and lightly touched his chest.
Dominic froze, “What are you doing, Liora?” he asked hoarsely, his voice dropping an octave. Morning was always the most dangerous time for him and now her fingers were trailing across his skin like sparks.
Realizing what she had done, Liora jerked her hand back as if burned.
“Nothing!” she blurted quickly, her face flushing.
Without daring to meet his eyes, she threw the blanket aside and scrambled out of bed in a flurry of embarrassment.
Behind her, Dominic let out a low chuckle.
Golden morning light poured through the window, illuminating the space she had just vacated. Though she had left his arms, her warmth still lingered wrapping around him like a phantom embrace.
Even in her absence, she comforted him.
It was the weekend, so Liora had no classes. After breakfast, she suggested a walk.
“Let’s go to the supermarket,” she said brightly. “We need groceries and I also want to buy flowers… maybe lilies, or roses… Oh, and we’re running low on tea…”
She kept chatting endlessly, hopping from one trivial thought to another, leaving Dominic with barely any chance to respond.
Unknowingly, she walked farther and farther ahead, her figure shrinking into the distance.
Dominic watched her with quiet amusement.
Mr. Lawrence instinctively stepped forward, ready to intervene, but Dominic stopped him with a single glance.
Let’s see how long it takes for her to notice she’s left me behind.
Meanwhile, Liora was busy planning lunch in her head debating ingredients, recipes, flavors then suddenly, realization struck like lightning.
She stopped mid-step.
Wait… where was Dominic?
Her head whipped around in alarm and behind her, not too far away, a man sat quietly in his wheelchair amidst the passing crowd calm, composed, as if the world had nothing to do with him.
Her heart clenched as she hurried back immediately. “Why didn’t you call me?” she asked anxiously, crouching slightly beside him.
“I was waiting for you,” Dominic replied calmly. “You were supposed to push me.”
Guilt flooded her face.
“What if someone bumped into you while I wasn’t looking?” she scolded herself aloud. “This won’t do. From now on, I should hold your hand.”
That was exactly what he had hoped to hear.
A dangerous thought slipped into Dominic’s mind.
What if she didn’t go to school anymore?
What if she stayed home every day, where he could see her whenever he wanted?
Yearning twisted together with something darker a possessive paranoia he kept buried deep. If it were entirely up to him, he might have locked her inside the mansion, hidden her from the world but he understood restraint.
If he acted too rashly, he might scare her away.
And losing her was something he could never allow.
By the time they returned to the Blackwood mansion, it was nearly noon but the moment they reached te entrance, both of them paused.
The front door was open and inside, standing quietly in the foyer, was a woman dressed in white waiting for them.