Chapter 172
Dominic POV
Her fingers rest lightly on my arm.
Not possessive.
Not demanding.
Just supportive.
A comforting touch.
“I’m only telling you because I care,” Vivian continues softly.
Her voice is gentle.
“You’ve already had so much pressure on you.”
A pause.
“The investigation. The transition of power.”
She looks at me with concern.
“I would hate for unnecessary rumors to damage you.”
Then her expression shifts.
Worry.
Concern.
Almost hesitation.
“I’m worried.”
Her eyes lift to mine.
“Maybe there’s a reason the fights happen before she disappears.”
My brows pull together.
“Maybe she needed an excuse.”
The words settle between us.
“Maybe she already had plans.”
I wish the suggestion hadn’t landed.
But it does.
Did Ellie go to him?
Did she plan it?
Pretend to be angry so that she could leave?
The thought irritates me more than it should.
It would explain her reaction.
Her anger.
Her urgency to get away.
I straighten slowly, forcing the thought back down.
No.
That’s not Ellie.
“Thank you,” I say evenly.
“But I’ll handle my business with my wife.”
Vivian’s expression immediately softens.
Almost relieved.
“Of course you will.”
Her smile is warm.
“I only want what’s best for you.”
Her hand slips away from my arm.
The smile remains a second longer than necessary.
Then I turn away.
I find Ellie near the side hallway.
She’s staring at floral sketches spread across a table.
An empty pizza box sits in the trash nearby.
“Walk with me.”
I catch her wrist before she can disappear.
Her head snaps toward me.
“Ah!”
She glares.
“What is wrong with you?”
A pause.
“If this is about cake, I voted for the affordable one.”
“It’s not about cake.”
Her eyes narrow.
“That’s suspicious.”
She gestures around.
“This entire building is obsessed with cake.”
I don’t smile.
She sighs.
“Great.”
A pause.
“That face.”
I guide her into a quieter alcove.
The moment we’re alone, her arms cross.
“What?”
I study her for a moment.
Then ask:
“Did you intend to meet Lucas earlier?”
She blinks.
Once.
Twice.
Then laughs.
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
Her smile disappears.
“I wanted pizza.”
She stares at me.
“Where did you even get that idea?”
I hesitate.
“Just a feeling.”
A pause.
“You’ve seemed miserable today.”
Her expression changes instantly.
“Unlike Vivian?”
The sharpness returns.
“Dominic, I don’t like this.”
She steps closer.
“I’m fine with cheap.”
Her voice lowers.
“I’m trying.”
Then:
“If you want someone excited about this wedding, marry her.”
My jaw tightens.
“I don’t want Vivian.”
“I don’t want her helping.”
I want to argue.
But I stop myself.
“Just answer the question.”
Her eyes flash.
“About Lucas?”
She shakes her head.
“He was there.”
A shrug.
“That’s it.”
She looks at me.
“If I were sneaking around, do you really think I’d choose somewhere you could easily find me?”
“No, but—”
“Why are you pushing this?”
Her voice drops.
“It feels like you’ve already decided I’m the problem.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“I asked if you planned to meet him.”
“And if I did?”
The question catches me.
Her voice turns quieter.
“Would that make it easier?”
A pause.
“To replace me?”
My jaw tightens.
“Ellie.”
“She’s not taking your place.”
“She already is.”
“That’s not true.”
“She knows the pack.”
Her words come faster now.
“She knows the events. The traditions. Everyone likes what she chooses.”
Her eyes drop.
“Mine are never enough.”
The words hit harder than expected.
“I chose you.”
My voice comes out louder than I intended.
I step forward and take her hand before she can pull away.
“I care what you choose.”
My grip tightens slightly.
“I care if you’re happy.”
She goes silent.
Her eyes fall to our hands.
“Let go.”
“No.”
“Dominic.”
“I want this.”
I cut her off.
“This deal.”
A pause.
“All of it.”
I look at her.
“But I’m not apologizing for caring.”
My voice lowers.
“For asking if you love someone else.”
A pause.
“Or if you just enjoy hating me.”
The silence stretches.
Then:
“I don’t hate you.”
Her voice is slower now.
Softer.
“Good.”
I nod.
“That would be inconvenient.”
Her eyes narrow.
“Stop joking.”
“I’m not.”
The sound of the tasting drifts down the hallway.
Laughter.
Silverware.
Conversation.
“I chose you,” I say again.
Quietly.
“Not Vivian.”
I hold her gaze.
“You.”
A pause.
“So stop telling me I don’t.”
She searches my face.
Looking for something to fight.
But she doesn’t find it.
Finally, she exhales.
“I…”
She looks away.
“I didn’t plan to meet Lucas.”
A pause.
“I ran into him.”
Then quieter:
“That’s it.”
“Alright.”
I nod.
“I appreciate the honesty.”
Her eyes flick back to mine.
“I didn’t like the idea of you running to someone else after we fought.”
“We weren’t fighting.”
I stare.
“We were.”
She exhales.
“Semantics.”
“If you’re going to hate this wedding…”
I squeeze her hand gently.
“Hate it with me.”
A strange expression crosses her face.
Like, she doesn’t know what to do with that.
Truthfully…
Neither do I.
But I can show her.
I turn back toward the tasting room.
Then call for the planner.
“Which one was the cheapest?”
The planner blinks.
“Chocolate, sir.”
“Then chocolate.”
Silence.
My mother gasps.
Vivian freezes mid-presentation.
The chef looks relieved.
And behind me…
I can feel Ellie watching.
Smiling.
If she thinks this is a game, she’s wrong.
I don’t start things halfway.
And I don’t walk away from them either.