Shattered Longings Novel

Chapter 36 I Bet You Can’t Leave

The air suddenly became tense, and after a brief pause, Dominic walked away with a cold expression.

Bella wished she could bite off her tongue. She hadn’t meant it like that.

Leonard seemed amused by the situation. “Wanna bet? I bet you can’t leave.”

Bella was on the verge of tears. “Bet, my foot!”

If she weren’t too scared to curse, she’d have given him a piece of her mind by now. Leonard might be all smiles now, but if he turned against her, she wouldn’t even have time to cry. She couldn’t afford to mess with someone as powerful as him.

Leonard generously refunded her rent and deposit as he was confident that she wouldn’t be able to leave. His earlier claim that he wouldn’t return the deposit had just been a joke. He wasn’t someone who needed that small amount of money.

Bella was determined to leave, so she packed her bags that night, planning to resign from the hospital in the morning and then head out.

Simon somehow found out about her plans. Knowing she wouldn’t answer his calls, he sent her a text, pestering her.

I heard you don’t want to stay there anymore. Come to Holha. I’ll set you up with a job. Someone as talented as you should be staying in a big city.”

Bella was annoyed and immediately blocked him. But then she wondered how he knew her every move when he wasn’t even here.

The thought that Simon might be spying on her made her feel sick. What exactly was he trying to do? Wasn’t it enough that he ruined Dorothy’s life? Did he want to ruin hers too? Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She would rather starve than seek help from someone like him.

Hearing that the courtyard was quiet, Bella finally ventured out to “forage for food. But as soon as she stepped out, she spotted Dominic sitting under the grape trellis.

Since she had to pass through the courtyard to get to the kitchen, she felt like a turtle wanting to retreat into its shell. But Dominic had already seen her.

Reluctantly, she walked over, trying to ease the awkwardness. “It’s not because of you that …”

Before she could finish, Dominic spoke, ‘Come here.”

She sat across from him, staying silent. No matter how much he might hate her, she didn’t see him as a bitter enemy.

After a moment, Dominic said calmly, “I’m only staying for half a month, so there’s really no need.”

Bella felt helpless. Why hadn’t he let her finish her sentence? That wasn’t what she meant at all. This was all Leonard’s fault.

While she was feeling uneasy, Dominic suddenly asked, “Why did you cut your hair?”

Bella quickly glanced at him, not catching the expression on his face. “Uh… It was just inconvenient to wash it with the injury, I’ve had long hair for so many years, so I thought I’d try a different style. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to the kitchen to make something to eat. You should get some rest.”

Without waiting for his response, she got up to leave.

Bet You Can: Leave

“Bella…”

Hearing him call her name, she stopped but didn’t have the courage to turn toward him. “Is there something else?”

After a brief silence, Dominic suddenly stood up and walked away. “Nothing.”

What had he been about to say? Watching him go inside, Bella felt a bit melancholic.

His attitude was already much better than she had expected. At least when they met again, it wasn’t hostile.

Because of that brief conversation, Bella stayed awake all night. If she really left, Dominic would definitely think it was because of him.

However, she didn’t want to remain there any longer.