Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 371 Shadowing Me

Bella emphasized again, this time with a sharper edge to her tone, "It has nothing to do with me. If you're curious why she's resigning, ask her."

Ethan seemed to realize he had overstepped. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant... I just—"

Before he could finish, Bella cut him off. "It's fine. I'd probably think the same way if I were in your shoes. Just let Lana know that if there's no serious personal reason, she doesn't need to quit this job." With that, she walked straight into the locker room, feeling like everything was spiraling out of control lately.

What frustrated her most wasn't Ethan's questions but Lana's behavior. Lana now acted as if she were terrified of Bella, practically hiding every time they crossed paths.

If Bella hadn't already discussed things with Dominic, she might have started to believe he had actually done something to Lana.

Lana had gone from blatantly bullying her to slipping seamlessly into the role of a "victim", soaking up sympathy from everyone around her.

Now, everyone believed Lana was quitting because of pressure from Bella's powerful boyfriend, Dominic. Naturally, Bella had become the target of their resentment.

For a moment, Bella felt completely drained. Even in the cramped confines of the emergency department, she couldn't escape these petty power plays. Where could she possibly find some peace?

the night shift. Thankfully, there were no patients requiring special attention, so, during the quiet hours, she settled into the

of a ghost story. Most people would find it hard to sleep in such an atmosphere. Despite all her years in this field, for the first time, Bella found herself unable to close

her. Dominic's name

shift the next morning, Bella walked out of the hospital alone. The early morning fog hung thickly in the air, each breath carrying a cold, damp

around her. Any hint of

especially cold.

nearby street vendor caught her attention. She wandered

a

by. Her eyes

and her heart

only for her to realize it was just a similar car and not Dominic's

more she tried to forget, the more he seemed to shadow her at random moments. How could she erase the mark he'd left on her heart

She set down some money for the breakfast she hadn't

her keys into

his usual casual style, he was dressed in a suit today. Somehow,