Chapter 27 Why Is He Acting Like That
Amelia POV
I just wanted some fresh air.
That was it.
Fresh air.
A break from the chaos inside the house.
Because ever since this morning, everything felt... louder.
The articles.
The teasing.
The way Dominic kept looking at me like he was thinking something and not saying it.
So I grabbed Noah and escaped.
"Walk," he said, pulling my hand.
"Yes, we are walking," I laughed. "Very serious walk."
We stayed close to the gate, just moving slowly down the street.
It was quiet.
Peaceful.
Normal.
Finally.
I exhaled.
"See? No chaos."
Noah looked up at me.
Then pointed.
"Man."
I blinked.
"What man..."
Oh.
There was a guy walking toward us.
He slowed down when he got closer, smiling a little.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," I replied politely.
Noah immediately moved closer to me.
Very subtle.
Very suspicious.
The guy glanced at Noah, then back at me.
"I hope this isn't weird, but... are you the girl from the news?"
Oh no.
I hesitated.
"...Maybe?"
He laughed.
"Yeah, I thought so."
I gave a small awkward smile.
Please don't make this a conversation.
Please.
"So... that's not actually your kid, right?"
"No," I said quickly. "Not my kid."
Noah tightened his grip on my hand.
The guy nodded.
"I figured. The whole thing looked kind of... exaggerated."
"Very exaggerated," I said.
He smiled again.
"I'm Liam."
"Amelia."
"I know."
Of course you do.
There was a small pause.
Then he said,
"You don't seem like someone who'd be involved in something like that."
I tilted my head.
"Something like what?"
He shrugged.
"I don't know... all that attention. Feels like it doesn't match you."
That... was actually kind of nice.
"I didn't ask for it," I said.
"I can tell."
Another pause.
Then he added, a little more casually,
"So if you're not with him..."
Oh.
Oh no.
"...Then what?" I asked carefully.
He smiled slightly.
"Then maybe I got lucky."
My brain stalled.
Before I could respond...
"Amelia."
That voice.
Low.
Calm.
And very, very familiar.
I turned around.
Dominic.
Standing a few steps behind us.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression unreadable.
But his eyes...
Yeah.
Not neutral.
Not even a little.
My heart immediately started doing that thing again.
"Hi," I said, way too quickly.
Why did I say it like that.
Liam looked between us.
"Oh... I didn't realize..."
Dominic didn't look at him.
He was looking at me.
"You're far from the house."
"I just needed air," I said.
It came out softer than I expected.
He nodded slightly.
Like he understood.
Then his gaze shifted briefly to Liam.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Liam cleared his throat.
"I was just talking to her."
Dominic's eyes went back to me.
"I can see that."
There was a pause.
Not aggressive.
Just... heavy.
I felt like I was suddenly in the middle of something I didn't understand.
So I tried to lighten it.
"He just recognized me from the articles," I said quickly.
"Of course he did," Dominic replied.
Something about the way he said that made my stomach flip.
Liam shifted awkwardly.
"Well... I didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"You didn't," I said quickly.
Dominic didn't say anything.
And somehow that silence was worse.
Noah suddenly wrapped his arms around my leg.
"Amelia mine."
I froze.
"Oh my god," I whispered.
Liam blinked.
"...Right."
I gently touched Noah's hair.
"We're working on sharing," I said weakly.
Dominic's gaze dropped to Noah for a second.
Then back to Liam.
"You should go."
It wasn't harsh.
But it wasn't a suggestion either.
Liam raised his hands slightly.
"Yeah, okay. I get it."
He looked at me.
"Nice meeting you."
"You too," I said.
And then he left.
Silence.
Just me.
Dominic.
And Noah still attached to my leg like a tiny guard dog.
I slowly looked at Dominic.
"...That was a little intense."
His gaze stayed on me.
"He approached you."
"Yes."
"And you stayed."
"I was being polite."
"I know."
That surprised me.
"Oh."
There was a small pause.
Then I said,
"He seemed nice."
Dominic didn't respond immediately.
Then,
"He doesn't know you."
My heart did a weird little flip.
"...And you do?"
Another pause.
A quiet one.
"More than he does."
I looked at him.
Really looked this time.
And something about that answer...
felt heavier than it should have.
So naturally I panicked.
"He said I don't look like someone who'd date you."
Why did I say that.
Why.
Dominic's expression didn't change much.
But something in his eyes did.
"And what did you say?"
"I didn't say anything."
I shrugged slightly.
"I was busy being confused."
That almost made him smile.
Almost.
He stepped a little closer.
Not too close.
But enough.
"And what do you think?"
My brain completely stopped.
"What do I think about what?"
"About that."
Oh.
Oh no.
"I think," I said slowly, "that the internet is very dramatic."
He watched me for a second longer.
Then nodded slightly.
"Fair."
Noah tugged my hand.
"Home."
I smiled softly.
"Yes, we're going home."
I started walking.
Dominic fell into step beside us.
Close.
Quiet.
Not saying anything.
But still very... there.
And for some reason...
My heart wouldn't calm down.