Once Sebastian has left, I grab my desk and flip it over.
CHAPTER 19
IZZY
Dominic: Are you awake?
Dom’s text comes as I’m walking across the parking lot to my car. I lean against the car, looking at the hospital. Grandma is safe and sound, sleeping heavily. I had to visit and make sure after the call with the hospital staff. None of them would look at me as I walked down the corridor, not even the nurses or cleaning staff. It’s like they’re all ashamed.
Izzy: It’s not late. I’ve just left the hospital.
Dominic: How is Maggie doing?
I’m touched. Tears threaten to prick my eyesyet again, but I force them away. I’ve felt physically ill ever since handing over those documents to Aaron’s man. And still, I haven’t come clean. A twisted part of me wishes Aaron didn’t have my grandmother as leverage, but what does that mean? What am I even thinking?
Izzy: She’s doing as well as can be expected. She was sleeping. Otherwise, I’m sure she would’ve mentioned you.
Dominic: She’s a funny, kind, beautiful woman. Just like her granddaughter. I need to see you, Isabella.
Izzy: It’s late and I’m still a little sore from yes?—
I stop typing, rereading his message. Isabella. Since when has he called me that? I can’t think of a single time he’s used my full first name. I delete my message and ask something I know will be my unraveling.
Izzy: Is something wrong?
Dominic: Unfortunately, yes. I’ll come to your apartment.
Izzy: I’m not there.
Dominic: Then I’ll wait.
I can feel his rage through the phone.
Izzy: Maybe we could just text?
I feel like a coward the moment I send the message. His reply cuts sharply.
Dominic: After all the lies, Isabella, don’t you think you owe me this? In person?
I shudder, feeling like all the air’s been sucked from my lungs. There can be no question about it now. He clearly knows whatI’ve done. He clearly knows what Iam. A liar. A traitor. A woman who had the best sex of her life with the man she stabbed in the back.
Izzy: You’re right. I’m driving home now.
As I drive home, I stop fighting the tears. Ever since Grandma got sick—then Aaron started bullying and blackmailing me—I’ve hated myself for crying. It’s felt like weakness. But now? I let the tears fall.
This romance was like a hot air balloon, filling and filling, with me telling myself we’d just fly away. But the whole time, I knew it was going to burst. Iknew, and I did nothing to stop it.
I park outside my apartment, wiping my tears on my sleeve.
Izzy: I’m outside. I’ll wait here for you.
Dominic: I can see you. I’ve been here for half an hour, trying to convince myself to leave. If I leave, I can remember our relationship how it was. I don’t have to think about what comes next.
I try to bring myself to resent him as I read the message. We didn’t even have arelationship, if that’s what he wants to call it. We had some tension, some kissing, amazing sex, some jokes, lots of closeness… but a relationship? But I can’t resent him. All I can do is wish this connection had been allowed to grow.
He walks up the street, hands in his pockets. His expression is savage. He stands near the car, looking at me with dark, intense eyes.
I climb out, arms wrapped across my middle as if in protection. I know he’d never hurt me, obviously, but his glare alone is enough to make me afraid.
