Page 96 of Between Love & Ruin

“So what if I did? He deserved every bit of it. I have never seen a man more arrogant than your ex. I don’t play when it comes to my people, and you know it better than anyone.”

My mouth hangs open as I listen to him go on about how shitty my ex is. As if that is new information for me. But what shocks me more is the extent this man is willing to go to protect my peace, my happiness, and, most importantly, my dignity.

Maybe I am slightly sick in the head too, because instead of finding his intrusion weird or getting appalled by it, I find myself wanting to drag him into a corner and show him just how much this means to me.

“When I say I would do anything to make sure you are happy, safe, and at peace, I mean it.” His eyes darken slightly, and I feel myself falling more for him. If that’s even possible. “Morals don’t exist for me when it concerns you. There’s not a single boundary that I wouldn’t cross if it means you are happy.”

He shrugs so casually as if he said something normal people say.

But has he ever been normal? I don’t think so.

“You are insane,” I tell him, a small smile on my face. “You know that, right?”

“I do,” he tells me, a teasing smile on my face. “That’s exactly why you love me.”

I shake my head, way too done with him now. His possessiveness would have scared me if I didn’t feel the same way about him.

I know I am not a violent person, and I hate conflict, but if it came down to Dominic, I know I would go to any extent just to make sure he is with me. No questions asked. No care for the consequences.

Before I can say something to him, I see Myra approaching him from the corner of my eyes. She looks so much like she belongs in this place that I cannot help but feel a surge of something very close to insecurity.

Her black dress fits her perfectly, and she has her hair neatly styled in a bun. Not a single strand looks out of place.

“Dominic,” she says, her voice stern. “You need to go talk to some of our partners and the event host right now. They are waiting for you.”

Dominic narrows his eyes, and I hope he doesn’t say something rude to her at the moment. He turns to look at me, his face softening for a moment.

“You will be okay?” he asks me, and I smile. His constant need to make sure I am okay and comfortable makes me feel so cared for I could cry.

“Yes, Dom,” I reassure him. “I will be more than okay.”

He nods and leans down to kiss my forehead. Heat creeps up onto my cheeks as he gives me one last look and leaves.

I busy myself on my phone even when I notice Myra staring at me.

“You know,” she starts, coming to stand right beside me, and I straighten up my spine. “I have never seen Dominic being this stuck-up on a woman. In fact, I have never seen him engage with a woman.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” I tell her casually.

She looks straight ahead to where Dominic is, and I follow her gaze. He looks so polished engaging with people. Like the whole room belongs to him—and in some ways, it does.

Despite being the youngest one in the room, Dominic has a level of respect most people twice his age haven’t been able to achieve. I know this because, like any obsessed girlfriend, I have spent hours of my free time researching about him. And every article I read about him agreed with what I already knew.

He was made for this life. The glamour, the glitz, the fame, and the power. For all of it.

“I have known him ever since I was nineteen, and that man has always been a dreamer. Obsessed with everything that’s not real. Books, fiction, you name it. It’s funny he fell for a romance writer.”

I furrow my brows, confused. “You think that’s an insult? Because to me it’s kind of like destiny. Like we were always meant to be together.”

“Don’t feed me that bullshit,” she rolls her eyes casually, sipping through a glass of whiskey. “I don’t believe in that shit. Love is sweet, yes. But we live in a materialistic world, and unfortunately hugs and kisses don’t feed you—money does. And all you have been doing ever since you arrived is take his focus away from it.”

God, her thinking is pathetic. I don’t deny we don’t live in a capitalistic world, but perhaps if we had a little softness in our hearts, a little love and compassion, it would be easier to navigate this tough world.

But would a person like her understand it? I have come to know that she won’t.

For her, money is everything, and while I don’t blame her, I do pity her. After all, death comes to both the rich and the poor—in different ways, sure, but it does. Only memories remain afterwards, and Myra sure as hell isn’t going to leave some nice ones.

“You know, I was almost certain you’re going to ruin him.” She says, and my ears perk up. She smirks at my reaction, and I bite back the urge to just tell her to fuck off.