Marry To My Arch-nemesis

Chapter19

When Dominic returned to Serenity Heights Estates, it was already late at night.

"These past few days have been tough; go home and rest early," he said, taking the suitcase from Michael, who handed it over.

Dominic walked into the elevator, and as it ascended, he was about to enter the door lock password when the door was pulled open from the inside.

Isabella stood inside, wearing a red dress, her long hair lightly tied up. She had deliberately put on makeup, standing under the light, her lips red and her skin fair, exceptionally stunning.

Dominic was slightly astonished. "You're back!"

Smiling, Isabella took the paper bag from Dominic's hand and opened the door. "Come in."

Helping Dominic take off his coat and hanging it in the hallway, she reached out to hold his arm, pulling him into the dining room.

In the living room, music echoed.

At the dining table, the candlelight flickered, casting a charming amber hue on the red wine in the glasses. Plates held perfectly seared steaks.

Isabella smiled, "I learned this from the internet, no guarantees on the taste." Dominic turned his face, scrutinizing her with his gaze.

"Why suddenly decide to cook for me?"

"Celebrating the successful acquisition, don't you like it?" Isabella nudged him, "Go wash up; I'll bring the salad out."

The young woman turned around, her skirt swaying as she entered the kitchen.

Dominic stood by the table, stunned for a few seconds. When he returned after washing his hands, Isabella had already arranged the salad on the table.

As he took his seat, she raised a wine glass. "Cheers to your business getting bigger."

Tapping his glass against hers, she tilted her chin up, gulping down the wine.

"Take it slow; red wine can be intoxicating," Dominic gently reminded.

"No worries, how often do we get drunk in life?" Isabella took the wine bottle, pouring more into his glass, and offered it to him again.

"Second round, thank you for helping me."

Seeing her about to drink directly from the bottle, Dominic stood up, grabbing her wrist.

"Did something happen?"

"No... I'm just ecstatic you're back," Isabella withdrew her hand, downing another glass of wine. Seeing she was about to reach for the bottle again, Dominic reached for it.

"No more drinking!"

Setting down the empty wine glass, Isabella circled the table, sitting on his lap, her hand on his face. With her arm around Dominic's neck, Isabella leaned in, initiating a kiss.

Dominic raised a hand to steady her shoulder, bringing her to face him.

"Tell me the truth, did something happen?"

Not only red wine but also beefsteak, even her taking the initiative to kiss?

Tonight, Isabella is clearly not herself.

She tugs at Dominic's tie, loosening it. Her arm wrapped tightly around his neck, eyes drawing near to his.

"Dominic, tonight... I want to sleep with you?"

Dominic raises his right hand, gently brushing the girl's delicate cheek, his Adam's apple moving. "Are you sure?"

Isabella doesn't speak, just lowers her head and kisses him.

That scoundrel, Maximilian, has harmed her like this and still wants to possess her. She would never give her intact self to him. If given a choice, she'd rather that man be Dominic.

Her kiss is clumsy and awkward, yet enough to make Dominic lose control. He reciprocates, plundering with abandon.

The hand on her waist tightens gradually, squeezing the girl's delicate body into his embrace. Isabella closes her eyes, obediently letting him take over.

The man's kiss moves away from her lips, gradually exploring further. Isabella's breath tightens, instinctively gripping his shoulders.

"Dominic!"

Her voice is soft, with a husky texture, like an invisible web entwining him in desire.

Lifting her into his arms, the man's head still buried in her neck, they stride into the bedroom, with no regard for the curtains.

Placing her on the bed, the man presses down. The tiny invisible zipper can't hold, and he, losing patience, simply tears down her dress straps.

The thin dress is virtually non-existent.

The man's buttons prick her chest a bit painfully.

The arches of her feet were tense, high heels slipping off unnoticed by Isabella.

Nervous and inexperienced, she clings to him, entwining, rubbing...

Repeatedly, she hoarsely calls his name.

"Dominic..."

"Dominic..."

"Don't rush," Dominic lowers his head, comforting her with kisses. "Otherwise, you'll be in pain!"

The man's palm slips under the skirt... Lost in a haze of emotions.

Flashbacks from that high school night fill Isabella's mind, and her body tenses. She suddenly pulls her legs together.

"Don't..."

"Don't be nervous, I'll go slower..."

"Let me go!" Isabella screams, forcefully pushing Dominic away.

Sensing her distress, Dominic sits up and turns on the bedside lamp. The girl shivers, curling up at the corner of bed.

"Isabella!" Dominic supports her shoulders. "Calm down, it's me!"

As the light comes on, Isabella sees Dominic's face. Collecting herself, she realizes her loss of composure.

"I... I'm sorry." Taking a deep breath, restraining the tumultuous emotions, Dominic grabs a blanket from the bedpost to cover her shoulders.

"I'll go get you some clothes. We can talk another day."

"No!" Isabella raises her hand, gripping his arm. "It has to be today. I can handle it..."

With her father's surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning, Maximilian wouldn't give her more time.

Dominic lifts a hand, helping her tidy her disheveled hair.

"I know you're not ready."

"I am ready, truly!" Isabella sits up. "You don't have to worry about me; I'll be fine."

Dominic pulls the blanket back around her. "I'm not interested in forcing women."

"Aren't you the one who wanted me?" Isabella grabs his arm, kissing his face haphazardly. "Why don't you make a move?"

"You're drunk." Dominic furrows his brows, gently pushing her away. "I'll get you a glass of juice to sober up."

Seeing him about to leave, Isabella jumps out of bed without her shoes, hugging him from behind.

"You married me to get back at Maximilian. Sleeping with a woman he hasn't touched would be the best revenge, Dominic, what are you waiting for?"

Taking a deep breath, Dominic restrains his temper. Raising both hands, he separates her arms.

"Leave my room before I lose my temper."

"Dominic..."

Dominic turns around abruptly, his chest heaving, his handsome face dark.

"Haven't you heard?" His gaze sweeps over her body, barely concealed by the red dress. He grabs a blanket and tosses it to her.

"Get out!"

The blanket falls to the floor. Isabella, disheveled and barefoot, red-eyed, pulls up the fallen shoulder strap and storms out of the room.

Dominic opens a drawer, takes out a cigarette, lights it, and takes a deep drag. The smoke fills his lungs, making his chest feel tight.

He opens the French window and steps onto the balcony.

At some point, the wind picked up. Raindrops pelted down, hitting the man's face and body.

Extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray on the balcony table, Dominic frowned and walked out of the bedroom. The living room was empty.

He approached, knocking on the door of the guest room.

No response.

Dominic pushed the door open and found an empty room. Isabella was gone. In the hallway, only his coat remained; Isabella's jacket was absent from the hanger.

Grabbing his phone, Dominic pressed speed dial number 1.

Buzz—

Isabella's phone vibrated on the dining table. Dominic furrowed his brow, snatched her phone, hung up the call, and rushed to the living room.

Putting on his shoes, grabbing his coat, he opened the hall cabinet, intending to take an umbrella.

Buzz—

In his palm, Isabella's phone vibrated again.

The screen displayed an unknown number. Dominic hung up, and within seconds, the caller dialed again. Annoyed, he answered the call.

In the earpiece, Maximilian's voice seethed with anger.

"Isabella, don't think you can escape by not answering the phone. Ethan Parker, Building F, Unit 603. If I don't see you within two hours, your father could prepare to die on the operating table!"

Without giving Dominic a chance to speak, the call abruptly ended.

Dominic flung open the door, dashed out of the apartment, forgetting to grab an umbrella.