Vespera pulled her hand back and settled into the swing. "I'm tired. I'm not walking anymore."

Dominic placed the shopping bags aside and moved behind her, gently pushing

the swing.

Each time it swung back, he caught her, seizing the opportunity to start a conversation. "I went back home for a bit."

Vespera instinctively tightened her grip on the ropes.

As the swing carried her outward, her mind floated with the motion, unable to find its footing.

But just then, Dominic's hand rested at her waist, pulling her back toward him. His voice came softly in her ear, "I told my mom you were scared. I'll make sure she stops sending Nancy to bother you."

Vespera looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

Dominic leaned down, gently pressing a soft kiss to her furrowed brow. "Don't be scared, just listen to me.

"After I spoke with her, my mom told me she had no idea about Nancy's return. It wasn't her decision. Nancy insisted on coming back on her own, and my mom said she couldn't exactly stop her.

"I guess that makes sense. The government can't just restrict personal freedom, so we shouldn't be too overbearing. If she wants to come back, let her-it's no big deal.

"But I did have my mom pass on a message-Nancy can't treat you badly. If she does, it's like she's going against me, and that's something I won't tolerate."

With that, Dominic kissed the corner of her eye.

Vespera's eye tingled where his lips had brushed against it.

That warmth stirred something deep within her, a burning sensation in her chest. But underneath it all, there was a heavy, suffocating ache.

home?" she asked, her gaze softening. "If you keep saying things like that, your parents will only get more suspicious and think

to seduce me,

dare

fine, you can be a little bold.

anyone bothers you, just let me know,

her expression turning serious.

a chord with her, and she didn't

she once knew had never been one to second-guess

in the past or

of

was wrong, but

e victory they tho

a win

up, wrapping her arms around his neck. Rising on her tiptoes, she kissed

truly believed him, as though she had found

around hers wrapped tighter

feel

waist, and Vespera

his

intensity of his pace

practically emanating from

someone as sharp as Dominic

she didn't give it to

to pull away from

finally said,

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