Emma
"What if I could?"
Dominic's words hung in the air like frost. Something in his voice had changed – gone was the gentle father who discussed towel prices with me. This was someone else entirely.
Brittany's laugh echoed through the boutique, sharp as broken glass. "Oh, that's precious." Her perfectly manicured nails drummed against the counter. "Security!" She snatched up the store phone, each movement dripping with disdain. "We have some... undesirable customers at register three."
My cheeks burned. The familiar weight of humiliation settled on my shoulders – a feeling I'd grown too accustomed to since losing everything. I touched Dominic's arm gently.
"Maybe we should go," I whispered. "It's not worth—"
"No." His hand covered mine, and the simple touch sent warmth spreading thr
