Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 444 Don't Tease Me, and Don't Test Me

The quiet murmurs of late-night conversation faded, and the world settled into stillness.

Early the next morning, Bella heard Pudding's paws patter across the floor as Pudding slipped out of her room. Bella rolled out of bed half-asleep and followed to see what had caught Pudding's attention.

The dog would only respond to her or Dominic.

When she reached the living room, Dominic was seated on the couch, playing with Pudding. He had clearly just arrived. Judging by the time, he must have driven back overnight from his business trip. Yet, even after such a grueling schedule, his tailored suit was immaculate. He always carried himself with the same composed confidence.

Yawning, Bella shuffled into the kitchen and poured him a glass of warm milk. Carla had nearly finished preparing breakfast by now, so the milk's temperature was just right.

Dominic didn't even reach for it when she handed it to him. "I don't like milk. You drink it."

Ignoring his resistance, she pressed the glass into his hand. "Drink it. Milk's good for you. You're always busy running around. You probably don't even get a proper meal half the time."

This time, he didn't argue. With a resigned sigh, he drank it all in one go.

heard her phone ringing upstairs, Bella quickly excused herself and returned to her room to answer it. It was

bedroom door slightly ajar, she answered the call. "Hello? I'm

someone I like, I've got to put in the effort.

"Stop messing around... Dominic just got back. He's here with me. I'll call you back later today. Maybe we can grab a meal. How does that sound?" Sean agreed without hesitation. Bella hung up, turned

beat. This was exactly what she wanted, but the feeling of being caught off guard

a stiff smile. "Why aren't you eating breakfast? I'll be down in a

Dominic's expression was

least part of her conversation. She hadn't said anything incriminating, though. He couldn't possibly know

she could figure it out, Dominic raised his phone and showed her

and

was really talking to. He'd eliminated her closest confidante, and it wasn't hard for him

she stood there, stiff and unsure, caught entirely off

in a low, icy voice. "I'm not going to ask who you were talking to. But you need to understand something-if you dare get tangled up with another

Bella quickly regained her