77: Was it all a dream?

Was it all a dream?

Ever since Heaven woke up in this body, nightmares had plagued her sleep. It didn't matter if it was just a quick nap or a long one. She was used to it, though. Heaven never remembered a day or night she ever slept peacefully, so the haunting nightmares that followed her even in this new life weren't strangers to her.2

Tonight was the first she slept so peacefully. It was the first time she felt no sense of danger, hibernating after a wild, passionate night with Dominic. Even when Dominic put her clothes back on and carried her back to their bedroom, she didn't wake up. 

'I already lost count of how many times we did it,' he thought, propping his knuckles against his temple. He laid beside her on the bed, eyes on her sleeping face. 'And although I am exhausted, I can't seem to sleep.'

Dominic knew exactly the reason for his reluctance to sleep. Deep in his heart, he was afraid once he slept, he would wake up and realize everything was just a dream. Even though his worn-out limbs proved he did something intense, he just couldn't get complacent. 

"What are you doing to me, Heaven?" he whispered, tracing the bridge of her nose down to the tip with his index. "Five years of nothing, and then you woke up one day, ready to give everything."

No matter how he delude himself, it just didn't make sense to him. 

The people around them weren't the only ones wondering what sort of miracle befell this marriage. He was so sure the damages of this marriage was irreparable. But in a snap, everything just felt right, as if this marriage wasn't crumbling in the first place.

"Heaven," he called quietly, whispering in her ears. "Are you asleep?"

Nothing. 

A shallow sigh slipped past his lips, drawing his head back to look at her. Her breathing was slow and deep, indicating she was fast asleep. He snapped his eyes at the bedside table. It was almost six in the morning and he hadn't slept a wink. 

Their passionate session ended almost an hour ago. That was quite a long time, but it didn't feel as long as it should have. 

"Mhm…" Heaven moaned as she rolled to her side, facing his position. With eyes closed and deep in sleep, she squeezed herself into the source of warmth beside her. She embraced his body, treating him with a pillow with her arm and leg locked around him. 

'Just look at her.' He gazed down at her. 'Dane will fetch me in an hour, but how can I go to work if she's clinging so tightly?'

The curl of his lips contradicted his seemingly important dilemma. 

"Nevermind." His stiff body relaxed, cradling her in his arms. 'If this turned out to be just a dream, then I'd return to reality.'

Overthinking and worrying about some things wouldn't change the truth. Even if Dominic would stay awake for a few days straight, his body would eventually give in to exhaustion. He would rather not torture his body and risk his health over something so stupid. 

If what happened tonight was nothing but a dream, then he would rather wake up from it immediately.

With that thought in mind, Dominic found peace in welcoming his weariness. It didn't take long for him to succumb to the darkness.

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"Mhm…" a moan escaped her closed lips even before Heaven could open her eyes. When she stretched her arms and legs, all she felt was soreness in her muscle. 

"Aw…" her eyes slowly cracked open, frowning. 'My entire body feels sore.'

Heaven instinctively turned her head to the side. Deep lines appeared in between her brows before one of them arched. She moved her eyes around, realizing she woke up in the master's bedroom instead of where she fell asleep last night.

"How did I…?" her voice was coarse and dry, forcing herself to sit upright. "Did he carry me here?"

Heaven gazed down in panic, heaving a sigh of relief when she saw her body clothed.

'He probably carried me,' she asserted. 'No one else will carry me back here if not him. Now that I think about it, did he leave for work already?'

Dominic was not beside her anymore. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she was certain he had already left. It was almost noon.

'I still feel very sleepy,' Heaven yawned. 'He's really hardworking and responsible. How can he wake up and leave so early when we finished our night until the sun was almost up?'

Just as Heaven was commending Dominic's diligence, she caught a figure from the corner of her eyes. Turning her head, she caught Dominic coming out of the walk-in closet. He was already in a smart suit, tidy and pleasing in the eyes. 

"You're awake?" his steps halted, shifting his attention to her while fixing his cufflinks. 

"You're still here?"

Dominic cocked his head to the side. "Did you not want to see me the moment you woke up?"

"No, it's not like that," Heaven muttered, a bit confused as she glanced at the clock. "Aren't you late for work?"

"I am, but last night was a little intense, so I overslept." Dominic casually marched towards the bed, lifting his knees onto the bed. "That's why I'm in a rush. Good morning."

He bent over, planting a kiss on her lips unannounced. It was a quick peck, but his smile stretched broader as he drew his head back. 

"Sleep some more. I know you're still sleepy," he casually advised, hand and knee still on the mattress. "I'll be home at eight."

Heaven blinked as her brain lagged. Did he kiss her just now? And talking like a normal husband, indirectly telling his wife not to miss him? Not that she was complaining, but this morning was very unlike the previous morning they spent. 

Without thinking, Heaven clipped the end of his tie with her fingers. "Don't do this, Dominic Zhu."

"Hm?" Surprise instantly overtook his countenance as his slight smile froze.

"Or I'll be tempted to give you lots of reasons to stay in bed," she flirtatiously added. "Do you understand my dilemma?"

With that look, Dominic had all the reason to stay in bed and rolled under the sheet with her all day. 

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