Crushed Affections

Chapter 1 He's Back

"Get an abortion!"

Bella Jones heard a familiar voice as she passed by the stairs at the hospital.

Dominic Miller?

Was he finally back after three years?

Bella held her breath as she stopped. She felt a little guilty for eavesdropping.

She heard the sound of a woman sobbing as she pleaded, "I don't want to abort my baby… Please…"

"You can always have another one in the future." The man spoke coldly, showing no intention of comforting her. The decision was final.

Dominic had returned. He even brought a pregnant woman with him.

Feeling uneasy, Bella couldn't stand eavesdropping any further and fled the scene.

…

Bella sat in the clinic, retrieving that familiar phone number from her phone. However, she couldn't bring herself to dial it.

Dominic didn't inform her of his return this time around. He might have done it on purpose.

"Dr. Jones, aren't you getting off work?" asked a passing nurse.

"You can go first. I still have some work to do."

Bella knew that Dominic would move back to Miller Manor once he returned. Therefore, she specifically stayed in the hospital until midnight to avoid him.

They were "strangers" who had been living under the same roof for 19 years. In their case, "strangers" meant they had no blood relations. They were neither family, friends, nor a couple.

Bella was 18 years old when Dominic discovered the portrait she had secretly drawn of him and all the diary entries she had written about him. The extreme look of disgust and hatred on his face was a sight that she could still remember vividly.

Her crush on Dominic was exposed right at that moment. He had zero regard for her feelings and threw the diaries and drawings onto the floor before stomping all over them.

Ever since Bella set foot in Miller Manor when she was five years old, Dominic had hated her. His love was something she never dared long for, which made her crush on him all the more humiliating.

Bella entered the manor and kept the lights off. Having stayed there for 19 years, she knew the detail and display of every corner by heart.

Just as she grabbed on the door handle of her bedroom, she sensed a warm presence behind her.

Dominic started kissing and hugging her in the dark. She was enveloped by the familiar scent alongside a strong smell of alcohol. Icy kisses were scattered across her lips and neck.

He had always been irresistible to her, especially since they hadn't seen each other for three years. She was on the verge of giving in when the thought of the episode from earlier that day came up.

He had a woman with him, and she was pregnant. Bella shouldn't do something so cheap.

Bella mustered up her courage and pushed Dominic away from her. She quickly straightened out her clothes before saying, "You're drunk."

Right then, Dominic held Bella's chin. "I wouldn't want to sleep with you if I weren't drunk," he said derisively.

He added, "That was how we slept together last time, wasn't it? What? Three years have passed, and now you've become virtuous?"

Bella said nothing in return and bit her lip. She had gotten immune to his harsh words as he'd never forget to insult her, even in bed.

Furious at Bella's silence, Dominic tightened his grip on her chin. "How dare you come home so late when you knew I was back!"

Bella looked down. "You didn't tell me," she replied. Her voice was a little shaky from the pain of his grip.

At that instant, Dominic leaned in. "How could you not know when everybody else did?"

He was right. Bella had "bumped into" him and the pregnant woman at the hospital and seen him on the news. She was the last one to know of his return, while everyone else knew.

Besides, she had to find out about it from such an unexpected situation. She couldn't help but think that Dominic wouldn't want to see her.

Dominic grew impatient. Before she could reply, he forcefully carried her into the bedroom. He pinned her on the bed and went straight into action without any foreplay.

Frantic, Bella raised her hand to push against his chest.

"Dominic!"

Chapter 2 A Timeless Crush

Dominic froze at that instant. His expression appeared extremely cold under the dim lights.

"Bella, you're asking for trouble!"

Indeed, Bella knew she was asking for trouble. Back then, when her mother, Dorothy Jones, brought her to the Miller family, she called out his name for the first time.

Yet, he rejected her brutally. "You disgust me, just like your mom," he said.

The still air once filled with intimacy was replaced by hostility. Dominic was squeezing Bella's wrist so hard that she felt it might snap at any minute. Finally, he got up and left after slamming the door behind him.

The world went quiet instantly. Bella lay on the bed like a soulless puppet, where the physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional pain she was going through.

Some people were buried in obscurity from the very start. It felt as if they were trapped in an endless dark tunnel, and each step was a struggle for them.

Bella took some time to get up. She walked toward the bathroom and washed all the exhaustion away.

In the year that Dorothy was terminally ill, the both of them had no choice but to turn to the Miller family for help. Dorothy could only think of her childhood friend, Richard Miller, as Bella's father had abandoned them.

However, this situation eventually led to the divorce of Dominic's parents.

Dominic's mother, Margaret Reed, left him when he was eight and disappeared without a trace.

In the following year, Dorothy passed away. Shortly after, they received the shocking news that Margaret had also died of illness in a foreign place. Dominic and Margaret didn't get to see each other one last time.

Dominic blamed all of this on Dorothy and Bella. The Miller family was compelled to take Bella in as she was left with no one.

In the blink of an eye, 19 years had passed. Three years ago, Richard passed away, and Dominic left the country. Yet, everything still seemed far from over.

She rummaged under her bed for the ledger before curling up in bed to examine it closely. Ever since Dominic went abroad three years ago, she had been cutting back on her expenses and seizing every opportunity to make money.

She recorded all the money saved in the ledger over the past three years.

Soon, with just another 100 thousand dollars, she'd be able to repay the money that the Millers had spent raising her over the years.

Besides money, she couldn't repay Dominic and the Miller family in any other way. She could only try her very best to clear off the debts before leaving this place and starting anew.

This should be a relief to both Bella and Dominic. He could regain his peace once she was gone.

The next day, Bella was jolted awake by the alarm. After gathering herself, she quickly got out of bed, washed up, and prepared breakfast.

The maids in Miller Manor had resigned when Dominic left. All this while, Bella was the only one taking care of the huge manor. Since Dominic was back, someone had to cook for him.

She spent some time in the kitchen and got the table ready in the dining room. However, Dominic didn't show up for breakfast on time.

It only occurred to her that he might be dealing with jet lag since he had just returned from abroad. The food was getting cold, so Bella gathered her courage and went upstairs to knock on his door.

"Breakfast is served," she said, but there was no answer.

Bella had no choice but to knock again, and he finally responded, "Go away!"

She had gotten used to his bad attitude. She shrugged it off and returned to the dining table. While eating, she considered the possible part-time jobs she could take on during her weekend off.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from the stairs. When she looked up, she saw Dominic with an irritable look on his face. He must've woken up on the wrong side of the bed.

Dominic seemed ready to head out. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit with his hair neatly combed. His perfect facial features had never failed to attract attention, as if they were sculpted meticulously.

Bella could never get enough of his face, to the point where even the coldness in his gaze had become a charming quality.

She had come to believe that men truly looked their best in a suit because of him. Three years later, she still had a crush on him.

To avoid any unwanted conflicts, she put down her fork and stood up. "I'm going to be late for work. Leave the dishes, and I'll take care of them when I come home."

Catching a glimpse of his messy tie, she instinctively stepped forward to straighten it for him. All of a sudden, Dominic grabbed her wrist before pulling her toward him. They were so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Chapter 3 A Love So Crazy

Bella looked into his callous eyes, feeling a little embarrassed. Standing so close to Dominic made her heart race uncontrollably. "I—"

"You should know your place," Dominic said derisively, cutting her off. "To me, you're just like any other woman I've met in the club. The only difference is that I've allowed you to stay here."

Her face turned pale as she watched him leave. She tried to suppress the heart-wrenching feeling that was taking over. It wasn't the first time; she should've known better than to get upset.

Dominic was referring to the breakfast Bella had prepared. To him, it was merely an attempt to win his favor.

She picked herself up and left for the hospital. Once she arrived, she took the elevator to the cardiac department located on the third floor as usual.

"When can I get my lab results?" A crisp woman's voice caught Bella's attention as she passed by the laboratory department.

Bella remembered hearing this voice from yesterday. The memory of this woman crying to Dominic about the abortion was still fresh in her mind.

She stopped and looked in the direction of the voice. The woman was dressed in a black, tight-fitting slip dress and high heels, revealing her slender and fair legs. With her tall figure and charming features, she could easily attract any man.

She tried a little too hard with her makeup, though. It turned out that Dominic was into this type of woman.

Seeing this woman, Bella couldn't help but picture Dominic and her getting intimate in bed. It evoked a deep sense of discomfort in her, but it subsided rather quickly.

The laboratory departments were usually located on the third floor of a hospital. It seemed like the woman came back for a check-up after the abortion procedure yesterday.

Bella didn't stay for too long and went to her office to put on her white coat. Yet, the thought of the woman kept popping up in her head.

She ended up in the gynecology department somehow.

"Dr. Clarkson, the woman in the black slip dress just now had an abortion yesterday, right? How is she?"

Amelie Clarkson thought it over for a few seconds before answering, "Oh, her… I think her name is Mandy Lloyd. Yeah, she had an abortion yesterday.

"Dressing so lightly in early spring, she should be careful not to catch a cold. But I suppose it wouldn't be a big deal since she's young and strong. Do you know her, Dr. Jones?"

Bella shook her head awkwardly. "No, I don't. She's… She's my friend's girlfriend, but we've never met."

All these years, she could never seem to put a finger on her relationship with Dominic. It was somewhat absurd and humiliating; she found it hard to even introduce him as a friend.

Suddenly, Mandy rushed into the clinic with her lab results in hand. "Dr. Clarkson, my lab results are out. Help me take a look."

The earlier conversation ended abruptly, as if they'd agreed on it beforehand. Feeling awkward, Bella stuffed her hands into the pockets of her white coat. She wasn't used to prying into other people's business, so she felt a little guilty about it.

She even felt like she would get crazy about Dominic sometimes.

Why did she want to know about Mandy's condition? Was it to confirm that she had aborted the baby? If Mandy had kept it, it was highly possible that Dominic would be getting married.

She had no idea what her actual thoughts were, and she didn't want to think about it.

"I think I've seen you somewhere," Mandy said as she sized Bella up after noticing her standing on the side.

Bella looked at Mandy calmly and did a quick run-through of her memories. She was certain that they had never met before. Even if they had, it would've been in a doctor-patient setting.

After a while, Mandy seemed to have recalled something.

"Oh, I think it was at Dom…"

Chapter 4 Not the Right One

Mandy was about to finish her sentence when a towering figure blocked the light from the doorway.

"Mandy."

The man stood there with an effortless noble bearing. His callous eyes were casting a sharp and piercing gaze. His thin lips were slightly pursed, giving off an air of aloofness.

Mandy was surprised to see Dominic. "Dominic, I knew you wouldn't leave me all by myself," she said flirtatiously.

Bella drew a breath in silence. Just as she was about to speak, Dominic took Mandy with him and turned to leave. He didn't even bother sparing Bella a glance.

She could only bite back the words she wanted to say. Watching the "perfect couple" as they walked away, she suddenly found herself ridiculous. Anyone but her would look good together with Dominic.

No matter how many times they'd slept together, Dominic would never want to be seen with Bella, as she wasn't the right one for him.

…

They were in the elevator lobby when Dominic shook off Mandy's hand with a look of displeasure.

Puzzled, Mandy hesitated briefly before stepping forward and rubbing her chest against Dominic's arm. "Dominic… what's wrong?"

Dominic turned his head slightly and glared at the clueless woman before him. "I don't sleep with women who've been with other people, especially my friend."

Mandy froze at that instant. She had assumed there could be more to their relationship as Dominic didn't reject her affection just now. She never expected him to back away right after.

A chiming sound signaled the arrival of the elevator. Dominic stepped inside and gave his sleeve a pat. His eyes were filled with disgust.

Mandy didn't follow, as the stare from Dominic was extremely scary. She stood there, her face pale. A "plaything" in the rich circle like her would never catch Dominic's eyes. She knew her worth; he was just going along with her just now.

…

Evening came. Bella wasn't planning to go home, so she agreed to switch shifts with her colleagues.

Since she'd be staying out all night, she wanted to remind Dominic of dinner. However, she started hesitating after retrieving her phone. When would she ever change this bad habit of fussing over him?

She had already decided to let go of everything and leave this place, three years ago. She shouldn't have had any second thoughts just because Dominic was back.

She admitted to the fluttering of her heart whenever she met him. However, she would never allow herself to give in again. Besides, the feeling was never mutual from the beginning.

There was an emergency operation in the middle of the night. When she was done with the operation, it was already 6:00 am, and the sky was slowly lighting up.

Bella was so exhausted that she could barely stand straight. Her vision was blurry, and she was seeing double after the operation.

A surgery required a long period of concentration, which was no easier than physical labor. Any carelessness could cost a human life.

After resting for a bit in the office, she got a change of clothes before going home in the foggy morning.

Watching Miller Manor bathed in the morning light, she suddenly felt sentimental. She had always considered this place her own, with the person she loved the most staying there.

However, none of these belonged to her. It was just all in her head.

Bella was 24 years old, and Dominic was three years older than her.

A man should've stood firm on his own at 30. With Dominic's wealth, talent, and outstanding looks, it was only a matter of time before he got married.

She had finally learned to give up after all these years to avoid any unnecessary distress.

After a long night, she stepped into the familiar place, and her body started to give in to exhaustion, drifting into sleep.

She wanted to simply kick her shoes off, drop her handbag on the way, and sleep in her bedroom. However, she knew Dominic didn't like mess in the house. Therefore, she patiently arranged her shoes.

Little did she know that Dominic was observing all her actions by the staircase.

Her eyes were half closed when she bumped into a "wall". Dominic frowned in dissatisfaction; his well-defined hand gripped her frail wrist as he ordered sternly, "You better stand straight!"

Chapter 5 Her Heart Would Skip a Beat

Bella slowly began to regain her senses, opening her eyes to meet the deep gaze of the man before her. She had thought he would be asleep at this hour.

The morning light shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows across the room. The soft golden glow landed perfectly on Dominic, lending a gentle warmth to his usually stern features. He looked so captivating that she couldn't look away.

Bella was completely entranced. Whether she was five years old or nearly 25, every time she looked at him, her heart would skip a beat.

"Aren't you a cardiologist? What were you doing in the gynecology department?"

Dominic suddenly changed the topic, asking about the day before. Why had she been in the gynecology department with Mandy?

Bella was a bit confused. Clearly, her exhausted mind couldn't keep up with his.

Suddenly, darkness crept into her vision. Panicking, she broke free from Dominic's grip and grabbed onto the staircase railing. "Let's talk later. I'm too tired and need to rest."

Without waiting to see his expression turn angry, she numbly made her way back to her room.

She didn't realize it at the time, but for the first time ever, she had been the one to let go of Dominic's hand. Up until a moment ago, it had always been him pushing her away.

…

That afternoon, the sound of her alarm jolted Bella awake. She reluctantly opened her eyes, still enveloped in a heavy drowsiness.

God knew how much she wanted to stay curled up in bed forever, but she couldn't. She had a private piano lesson to teach that afternoon. It was a well-paying gig, one of the most lucrative side jobs she could find. She couldn't afford to miss it.

After getting ready and applying light makeup, she headed downstairs.

She was cautious in her every movement, only regaining her usual composure when she noticed that Dominic wasn't home.

She was always walking on eggshells around him, careful not to provoke his irritation. But honestly, had there ever been a single day, or even a moment, when he didn't despise her?

It was her first time going to this particular job. After a half-hour car ride, she arrived at an upscale neighborhood. The residents here were wealthy, and their fees reflected that.

At the door of the employer's house, she rang the bell. Soon, a woman in her 40s opened the door. "You must be Ms. Jones, here for the lesson. Come in."

Following the woman inside, Bella could hear the faint, irregular sounds of piano playing. It was clear the student was a beginner. It seemed she would need to be patient.

When she finally met her student, Bella couldn't help but feel amused. The girl, around seven or eight years old, was named Yvonne Quinn.

She was an adorable child—dressed in a pink, puffy princess dress—but the disdain on her face was impossible to ignore. Was this young girl already looking down on her?

Yvonne unleashed a barrage of snide remarks. "So, you're the piano teacher my brother chose for me? You're so young. Are you sure you can play the piano?

"This piano was my mother's. It's not only expensive but also of great sentimental value. Do you really think you're qualified to touch it with those claws of yours?"

Yvonne's rude comments caught Bella off guard. She glanced at her own slender fingers and replied humbly, "I believe these 'claws' are up to the task."

Yvonne pouted, reluctantly moving aside. "Play something for me. If I'm not satisfied, you can leave immediately. I don't like beautiful women like you."

Bella's mouth twitched—was that a compliment or an insult?

She sat down at the piano and tested the keys. The instrument was in excellent condition, and it was absurdly expensive.

She decided not to impress Yvonne with anything too complicated, so she played a simple, improvised piece. Yvonne's expression shifted almost immediately.

The woman from earlier couldn't help but praise her. "As expected from the teacher Yvonne's brother chose. I'll leave her in your hands now. I have some other matters to attend to."

Finally, Yvonne softened. "Ms. Jones, what was that piece called? I've never heard it before."

Bella said, smiling slightly, "It doesn't have a name. It's an improvised piece, just… the burst of emotion I feel when I think of someone."

"That person must make you feel very suffocated… It's someone you care about, right?"

Suddenly, a deep, magnetic voice came from the doorway.

Yvonne quickly ran over. "Felix! I like this teacher. Let's keep her!"

Bella turned her head, and her breath caught. "Felix? This… This is your home?"

Chapter 6 Couldn't Love Anyone Else

Felix Quinn was her classmate back in university. Back then, he wasn't the sharp, well-dressed man he was today.

He was always buried in his books, like a poor student. While others in university were falling in love, he only had eyes for his textbooks. Because of his tall stature and striking looks, he received more than a few love letters, but none of them ever succeeded.

Bella had a secret she wouldn't share with anyone else. It was that Felix had once pursued her. Of course, she turned him down.

At that time, she wasn't only infatuated with Dominic, but she also maintained a long-term "intimate relationship" with him. She simply couldn't love anyone else.

Meeting Felix again after all these years made her feel a little awkward. If she had known she was going to his home, she would have reconsidered.

Felix, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. It was as if he had forgotten about the past.

"Yes, I live here now. You wouldn't have guessed, right?" he said.

He continued, explaining, "A friend recommended a piano teacher to me," he explained. When I saw your information, I thought it was just someone with the same name. I didn't expect it to really be you. My sister has a bit of a temper, so I'll be counting on you every weekend from now on."

Faced with Felix's clear gaze, Bella nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, unable to bring herself to refuse. "It's no trouble at all. It's my pleasure."

The piano lessons were scheduled every Saturday and Sunday, three hours each afternoon, at a rate of 500 dollars an hour—this pay was more than enough to keep her motivated. Right now, money was the one thing she couldn't turn down.

After the lesson, Felix offered to drive her home. Before she could politely decline, he found the perfect reason. "It's about to rain soon. You wouldn't want to get caught in it."

He always spoke with a gentle smile, making people feel like they were basking in the warm spring breeze.

Once in the car, Felix naturally took out his phone. "Let's add each other on WhatsApp. It'll make it easier for me to inform you when I've transferred the payment. Several piano teachers before you were driven away by my sister, but now I can finally relax."

Bella didn't hesitate. She exchanged contact with him and thanked him.

Neither of them brought up the past, engaging in light conversation instead. Soon, they arrived at the gates of Miller Manor. As the rain began to fall from the sky, the previous silence was gradually drowned out by the sound of raindrops.

"Bella, I want to know… why couldn't we have been together?"

As she was getting out of the car, Bella didn't catch what Felix said. "What did you say?"

Felix smiled. "Nothing. You should go inside before you get wet from the rain."

Standing under the eaves, Bella watched Felix's car disappear into the distance. She hadn't heard him clearly just now, but after thinking about it for a moment, she could guess what he had said.

She could only pretend not to have heard. A person like her wasn't worthy of him.

The rain grew heavier as Bella hurried inside. Her phone buzzed with a Whatsapp notification—it was Felix's payment transfer.

She smiled at it. Feeling it would be rude to stay silent, she politely replied, "The roads are slippery in the rain. Be careful."

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. Startled, she looked up to see Dominic's dark, brooding eyes.

He had already returned, his body still carrying the scent of soap from a fresh shower. He had changed into loose-fitting loungewear, looking a bit more approachable.

"Have you eaten?" she instinctively asked.

Dominic didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Who sent you home?"

She answered honestly, "A classmate from university." She didn't plan on mentioning her part-time job, as it was unnecessary. He would just think she was being pretentious.

Suddenly, he grabbed her shoulders, pulling her roughly toward him, his anger barely restrained.

"Besides being a part-time piano teacher, what else have you been doing? Are you that desperate for money? Or are you just trying to use this job to get close to wealthy men?

"Bella, am I not enough for you? Do you have to be as cheap as your mother? Is being cheap ingrained in your character?"

Chapter 7 Took Her Breath Away

The excruciating pain made the color drain from Bella's face. She had no idea how Dominic found out about her part-time job, nor did she know how she'd pissed him off.

She bit her lip and said nothing. Bella didn't want to explain, nor was there the need to do so. After all, he believed that Dorothy had brought her to Miller Manor because they were wealthy, which resulted in his parents' divorce. She didn't know where to start correcting him.

Her silence drove Dominic mad. He pushed her into the couch and mocked, "If you want money, I can give it to you. Wouldn't it be easier to sleep with me rather than flirt with multiple men at a time?"

He was behaving like a beast who had lost its inhibitions. Bella curled up and begged, "Don't say that… Please, don't be like that. Things aren't what you think they are—"

Dominic sealed her lips with his before she could say more. He'd always kissed fiercely. Bit by bit, he took her breath away.

Bella panted. Tears clung to her eyelashes. She didn't want to go down this rabbit hole of longing for his affection. It would only make it harder for her to leave.

Suddenly, she bit his tongue. The metallic taste of blood filled their mouths.

Dominic hissed painfully. His bony fingers locked around her throat. However, he didn't put much pressure on it.

Bella's eyes were glassy, and her cheeks were flushed. She caught her breath through parted pink lips. Glaring at him stubbornly, she insisted, "Stop treating me like this. I didn't sleep with you on purpose… I do love you, but I'm not that meek and pitiful. It was just an accident."

Indeed, on her 18th birthday, he unexpectedly found out about her crush on him. Then, Dominic heartlessly threw her journal and paintings onto the floor. He turned and left, only coming back in the early hours of the morning.

She felt so horrible she couldn't sleep. It was as though the sky had collapsed on her. Dominic had discovered her secret. How would she face him in the future?

While she was half awake, she heard him return home. She wanted to explain herself to him.

She only knocked on the door after much hesitation. However, he dragged her onto his bed. The hangover soup she'd prepared for him spilled onto the floor.

It was a night of passion. After that, he insisted that she had seduced him.

Bella didn't mean to absolve herself of all responsibility. If she hadn't gone to his room, they wouldn't have slept with each other. One could say that she had asked for it.

Since then, Dominic would occasionally get drunk and head to her room. As the frequency of his visits increased, she fantasized about their future.

However, she gradually understood that it didn't matter how many times they did it. She was only humiliating herself. Bella would never become the woman he loved.

He chuckled. Then, his lips turned upward mockingly. He asked, "You've never refused it. In fact, you even seemed to welcome it. Were they all accidents?"

Bella was speechless. Dominic said nothing else. He merely ripped her shirt open.

Suddenly, his phone rang at the most inopportune moment possible.

He paused for a moment before answering it. Bella scrambled away from him. As he looked at her figure disappearing into the stairwell, his gaze darkened.

"Hello."

"I've found it. His name is Felix Quinn, and he's Ms. Jones' classmate from university. They weren't close back then."

The wrinkle between Dominic's brows smoothened. He hung up immediately after.

Bella had barged into his world. She could forget about escaping from his grasp without his permission.

…

When Bella came out of the shower, she heard the rumble of his car driving away. Dominic had left.

She exhaled deeply. Thankfully, they hadn't done it. If they had sex once more, Bella had no idea whether she'd be able to make herself leave.

Chapter 8 We've Got Different Surnames

Dominic didn't come home that night. However, Bella wasn't worried. She had no interest in finding out where he'd gone. She had to figure out how to stop paying attention to him.

When Bella woke up at dawn, she slowly made herself a simple breakfast and enjoyed the rare moment of calm.

She would be heading to Felix's house in the afternoon to give piano lessons, so she had her morning free. It was time to deep clean the house.

Upon thinking about it, Bella realized she hadn't enjoyed a day of rest for the past three years.

After breakfast, she began tidying up the house. The gigantic Miller Manor was a chore to clean. Bella only finished cleaning the basement and the first floor at midday. After taking a short break, she started cleaning Dominic's study.

For the past three years, Dominic had locked the door to his study, so Bella had never cleaned it. Today, she noticed that he hadn't locked it. Thus, she decided to help him tidy up.

When she walked in, there was the overpowering smell of dust, which made her choke. Bella had no choice but to put on a mask. Thankfully, the windows had been tightly closed. There wasn't an exceptionally thick layer of dust on the floor.

Bella went to the balcony and opened the windows. Sun illuminated the room and chased the darkness away. It gave the room a lively glow.

When she finished cleaning his study, 1:00 pm had rolled around. Bella curled into a chair out of exhaustion. She pulled a random book out of his bookshelf. When she opened it, an old piece of paper fluttered to the floor.

It was Dominic's study, and everything inside belonged to him. Nothing could be damaged.

Bella bent down hurriedly to pick it up. When she saw the words there, she froze. The paper was an essay she had written in middle school, entitled "My Brother".

She hadn't noticed when this essay had been torn from her book. Bella definitely hadn't expected it to be with Dominic.

The paper had yellowed slightly due to the passage of time. However, the words could still be seen.

Bella's penmanship had been excellent since a young age. She had looping handwriting which was still legible even now.

For some reason, every mention of "brother" had been erased. Did Dominic hate her that much? He wouldn't even let her call him her "brother" in an essay.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps downstairs. Bella folded the paper and stuffed it into her pocket. Then, she slotted the book back into place.

Bella ran right into Dominic as she left the study. Feeling a little nervous, she started to stammer, "Um…"

Dominic frowned and asked coldly, "Who gave you permission to enter?"

She played with the corner of her shirt as she replied, "I–I just wanted to help you clean up. Your study was too dusty. Aren't you going to use it? I'm done cleaning it. If you don't want me touching your belongings, you could hire a maid to help you tidy up."

Dominic pushed her away and surveyed the study. He relaxed slightly and said, "I'll get someone to clean it. You have no right to do that. Just because you're living here doesn't mean you own the place, got it?"

Bella smiled dismissively. She answered, "Got it. I've got something else that needs attending to. I'll be leaving now."

She had barely taken a few steps away from him when Dominic said, "Why are you so in need of money? Have I been stingy with you for the past few years? Don't embarrass me out there."

Bella paused, but she didn't turn back to him. She said, "Thank you for taking care of me all these years. I'm a working adult now, so I no longer need your help.

"I've got a job, and I'm making money by legal means. We've got different surnames. No one knows about our relationship. Even if I were to embarrass someone, it wouldn't be you."