Chapter 18 - Emily
I woke up feeling... different. The soft morning light poured into the room as a quiet joy hummed inside me, the kind of feeling you don’t quite understand until you’ve experienced it for yourself.
The night before still played in my mind, a vivid memory that wrapped around me like a dream. I had finally lost my virginity. Dominic was my first. Everything about him, his touch, his words, the way he made me feel—was unlike anything I had ever imagined. The moment we shared felt... magical. Like I was the only woman in the world who mattered, like nothing else could compare.
I smiled to myself, my fingers lightly brushing the sheets as I recalled the way his hands had moved over me, so gentle, yet possessive in all the right ways. The way he spoke to me, his voice low, soothing, and full of reassurance made me feel seen in a way I’d never felt before. Every touch, every whisper, it was like he knew exactly what I needed, even before I did.
I was glad I hadn’t let any of the other men in my life have that part of me. It was Dominic who had gotten to be my first, and somehow, that felt like it was meant to be.
The way he had made me feel safe and desired was something I hadn’t known I needed, and now I couldn’t imagine ever going back to the uncertainty I’d felt before.
As I lay there, trying to soak in the contentment, I felt that familiar ache stir within me again, desire, awakening, even stronger than before. It wasn’t just the physical memory of what we had shared. It was something deeper, something I hadn’t anticipated. I wanted more. Not just his physical touch, but his reassurance, his words, his attention.
I felt Dominic stir behind me. His strong arm tightened around me, pulling me closer, and I couldn’t help but smile. He inched his body against mine, his manhood pressing gently against the small of my back, sending a wave of heat through me. My face flushed as the memories of last night rushed back, the way he had stretched me, how good it had felt when he was inside me. The softness of his skin against mine and the rhythm of his touch still lingered.
I shivered as Dominic kissed my neck, his lips warm against my skin. “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered, his voice husky and tender.
“Good morning,” I replied softly, feeling the weight of his body against mine, his scent surrounding me, making everything feel safe and right. I didn’t want this moment to end. I just wanted to stay here, wrapped in his arms, forever.
But then, as if on cue, my alarm went off, pulling me from the peaceful cocoon we had formed. I reached to silence it, but the moment my body stretched, I felt the painful reminder of yesterday’s accident. I winced, unable to mask the discomfort this time.
Dominic noticed instantly. His voice, laced with concern, was low and urgent. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, trying to reassure him, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He didn’t believe me.
In a flash, Dominic ripped the sheet from me, and I snatched it back just as fast, wincing from the pain, but it was too late. He had already seen the black and blue bruises marking my skin.
He sat up quickly, his jaw clenched, and I could see the fury rise within him, like a storm building behind his eyes.
“Alec was right,” he muttered, his voice low and furious. “The car did touch you—” He paused, visibly enraged, before looking at me with a mixture of disbelief and anger. “How could you keep this from me, Emily? You should’ve told me.”
I sat up and leaned against the headboard, my heart racing. Guilt washed over me as I realized I could no longer hide. “I didn’t want you to worry about me since you already had Lucy to worry about,” I whispered, the words tumbling out in a rush.
He took a sharp breath, his expression shifting between frustration and concern. He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently, before his thumb brushed across the back of my knuckles. “Emily, you risked your life to save Lucy. And you’re my wife, it’s my duty to worry about you.” His voice broke slightly, tight with emotion. “You have to stop shutting me out,” he continued, his eyes searching mine. “All I want is what's best for you.”
He wasn’t just upset about my injuries; he was hurt that I hadn’t let him in.
“As for the driver, he’s going to pay for this,” he continued, his voice growing colder, sharper with each word. “I swear to you, Emily, I’ll protect you and Lucy, and no one will ever get to you again. I’ll make sure of it.”
He softened, his tone gentler now, almost regretful. “I hope I didn’t hurt you last night... after everything, I shouldn’t have come to your room.”
I shook my head quickly, my hand lifting to his face, brushing away the concern that clouded his expression. “No... no, Dominic, you didn’t hurt me. It’s not like that. I’m okay,” I reassured him.
He hesitated, his gaze flickering between my eyes and the sheet that was covering the bruises on my body. “I’m not so sure. I don’t want to cause you any pain, Emily. Had I known it was this bad... God, Emily—”
I gave him a small smile, trying to ease his worry, “Really. I’m fine. I promise.”
His gaze softened, but then his expression hardened again, the shift in his demeanor swift. “Today, you’re taking the day off. No arguments. You need to rest.”
I sighed, but I couldn’t argue with him. He was right. “I promise. I’ll stay home. I’ll rest.”
Dominic kissed my forehead, as he pulled me back into his arms. I rested my head gently against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath me, and for a moment, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax.
But then, slowly, like a veil lifting, something clicked in my mind. What did Dominic mean when he said he’d protect Lucy and me? Protect us from what? His words only confirmed my suspicions that the accident hadn’t been an accident after all, along with the strange man who had dropped off the documents, the meeting with his brothers, and the reason he kicked me out of the office. Something was definitely off.
Should I bring it up now? I didn’t want to ruin the moment, but would I ever have another chance like this, when he was so soft and vulnerable? A part of me ached to seize the opportunity, to ask him all the questions swirling in my head before his mood changed again, before the walls went up between us, as they always did. The truth felt just out of reach, and I knew that if I didn’t ask now, I might never get another chance.
“Dominic,” I said hesitantly, shifting so I could look into his eyes. “Are you going to tell me the truth about what’s happening? I know something shady is going on. Something that you’re not willing to clue me in on.”
He sighed, his finger trailing down my arm, as if trying to comfort me. But there was something guarded in his eyes.
“Emily, it’s nothing for you to worry about,” he said, his voice gentle, almost too calm.
Was he joking?
“Nothing for me to worry about?” I echoed, my voice rising. “Do I look stupid to you?” I pulled away from his arms, sitting up and glaring at him. “I have bruises on my body to prove that I should be worried, Dominic.” Anger flared inside me, but the hurt crept in too, and I forced it back. My voice trembled as I continued, “You know, after what we shared last night, I thought you’d be more open with me.”
“Emily, it’s not like that.” He ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
I wasn’t having it. He needed to tell me what the hell was going on. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I let the words spill out. “Then tell me, Dominic. What is it like? It’s the least you can do after forcing me into this marriage. You and my father are enemies, yet here I am, lying in this bed with you. Am I just supposed to completely ignore that fact? Pretend it doesn’t matter?” My voice faltered, but I pressed on, my chest tightening as my thoughts raced. “Does yesterday have anything to do with it, you and Dad?”
My heart pounded against my ribs as I held his gaze, refusing to back down. “Dominic, please,” I said, my voice softening. “I deserve to know. What is going on?”
Dominic’s eyes flickered, and for a moment, I wondered if he would finally give me the truth I was desperate for.
"Emily," he began, his voice rough. His eyes were filled with something I couldn’t quite name, guilt? Fear? “This, right here—us,” he said, gesturing between us, his hand trembling slightly before he placed it on my arm. “Without this, without you, I don’t know how I’d keep it together.”
My breath caught, I didn’t know whether to feel comforted or terrified.
“What does that mean?” I whispered, barely able to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Why would you even need that kind of sanity? Dominic—” My throat tightened as I tried to hold back the panic rising in me.
He hesitated, his thumb brushed against my skin absently, a motion that felt both soothing and distant
“I have no intention of deceiving you, not anymore. Yesterday had nothing to do with Victor and me, it’s much bigger than that,” he said, his voice low but steady. “But you need to trust me. Be patient with me. Please.”
I blinked, the lump in my throat making it impossible to respond.
“And as for yesterday…” His expression darkening. “It wasn’t random, Emily. You and Lucy—” He cut himself off, his jaw tightening as if saying the words out loud would make them too real. “I need you to understand that I would never let anything happen to either of you. That’s why I need time. To fix this. To make it safe.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. “Safe from who, Dominic?” I demanded, my voice cracking.
He sighed, his thumb still brushing over my hand, as if trying to keep me calm while my world slowly unraveled. “Soon,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “Emily, I promise, I’ll tell you everything soon.”
I sat there, staring at Dominic as his words lingered in the air. Soon. The promise sounded hollow, but the way his hand gripped mine, the tension in his jaw, and the crack in his voice made me believe it wasn’t a lie. Still, it wasn’t enough. Not really. But what choice did I have?
“I don’t like this,” I said softly, my voice trembling with frustration. “But—I’ll wait.” My words tasted bitter, and I hated myself for letting him off the hook. But there was something in his eyes, it whispered that he needed me to wait just as much as I needed him to tell me the truth.
Once again, he pulled me into his arms, his hand stroking my hair in soft, steady movements. The silence between us was heavy, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I told myself I needed to trust him, needed to trust my husband .
The Dominic Quantum. Ruthless businessman, amazing father, and now, a fiercely protective husband.
Husband. The word echoed in my mind, carrying a warmth I hadn’t expected. I liked the sound of it, liked the sound of us.
And then it hit me.
I hadn’t just fallen for Dominic Quantum. The reason I let him off the hook, the reason I wanted to trust him, the reason I kept making excuses for him, it was because I loved him.
When the hell had that happened?
Panic surged through me like an electric shock, my heart racing uncontrollably in its wake. There was no stopping it, no undoing it. The realization struck with brutal clarity, and once it took hold, there was no escaping it, it was impossible to ignore.
I tried to trace it back, when had he crept under my skin? Was it when I saw him with Lucy, his gentle, patient love for her undoing every ruthless image I had of him? Or when Mrs. Kensington spoke of him with such respect and kindness? Maybe it was when he stood up to my father, not just for me but because he believed I deserved better.
Or maybe it was all of it, the moments that chipped away at my defenses, revealing the man beneath the titles and power. The man I hadn’t seen when I first stepped into his office.
I wanted to scream at myself for letting it happen, for letting him in after everything he’d done, the manipulation, the torment, the chaos. Loving Dominic felt reckless, dangerous, like walking a tightrope without a safety net. But there was no going back now.
For now, I’ll keep my secret, I thought, closing my eyes. I sighed and snuggled closer to him as his fingers continued their soothing rhythm through my hair. I’ll wait—not just for his truths, but for the moment I can give him mine.