Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 438 A Little Harder

It was definitely not the best time for Bella to reveal her intentions.

So, she tried to give Dominic a gentle smile as she said, "What are you talking about? Poisoning someone would be a crime. You should just try and see if the food is good yourself." Dominic picked up some food with his spoon, took a bite, and remained expressionless. "It's quite mediocre. Your cooking skills have always been subpar."

Bella did not feel discouraged. After all, receiving a compliment straight from his mouth would be miraculous. "You should just make do for now. I'll work on improving my culinary skills." The moment she finished her sentence, Dominic immediately down his utensil. "Just say what you need to say. If you don't spell it out now, I'll be too afraid to take another bite." Bella's lips twitched, almost losing her composure. "What kind of person do you think I am?"

He answered seriously, "You're someone who can't even be bought with money. I'll get nervous when you suddenly start acting nice toward me."

Afraid he'd catch on too quickly, Bella lowered her head to avoid his scrutinizing gaze. "You can eat it if you want. If you don't want to, I'll just feed it to the dog..." Perhaps her tone hit the right note as Dominic dropped his guard and focused on eating.

In the meantime, Bella tried to make conversation. "How's Pudding doing lately? I haven't seen her in a while."

Dominic responded casually, "She's the same as always. I've been busy and don't have much time to spend with her, but someone's looking after her.

"With the way you are now, it wouldn't be good to bring her here."

over some time? She's

be bored at home all the time. Plus, she'll get to see you

fork hovering in the air.

awkward. Doing things against her own heart didn't come naturally,

pause, she came up with a reasonable response. "Of course! The baby needs

you'll need to spend time with it too,

as an excuse was

didn't reply right away, seeming to mull over her words. Bella pressed him in a half-playful tone, "Is it alright with you

properly? If I don't answer,

step had been

things too much. It would be hard not to slip

dinner, Bella waited until Carla was busy cleaning up in the

deliberately stretched and exaggeratedly rubbed her back, ensuring that Dominic, who

gaze shifted from the screen to her for a brief moment. Then he asked,

so drained. C-Can you give me a massage? I'm not

Looking reluctant, Dominic moved