214: [Bonus chapter]I don’t think I ever said that before.

[Bonus chapter]I don’t think I ever said that before.

Heaven didn't know how long they stayed in the elevator or what time they got off. She didn't even know how she got home. But what she did know was she woke up, only to be welcomed by her husband's divine beauty.  0

'Good morning, love.'Her eyes were soft, smiling at the face in front of her. 'I wake up every day just to see this view.'

Thinking of last night, Heaven's mind was fogged and muddled. The demons in her head, taking advantage of a moment's vulnerability, almost ate her alive. If Dominic didn't come last night, she didn't know what she would do.

"Thank you," she whispered, poking the tip of his nose. 'For saving me.'

Dominic's eyes slowly cracked, fluttering his long eyelashes until his wife's beautiful face was clear. Seeing that the gloominess covering her countenance last night was gone, relief surged in his heart.

"How are you feeling?" he still asked, just to be sure.

"Much better for sure." Heaven moved a little, squishing her cheek on the soft pillow. "Thank you for last night."

"It's not something you should thank me for." Dominic dragged his body closer, resting his arm over her waist. "I am your husband and I should do what I need to do. It's the bare minimum. But you're welcome."

Her lips curled up even more, moved by this man's words. "Surely, you have a way with your words."

"I'm a businessman. I choose my words carefully."

"I bet you do." Heaven smacked her lips. "You should sleep some more. It's too early."

"How about you?"

"I'll make breakfast. I barely saw Basti yesterday, so I want to make him something good." She moved her face and brushed the tip of her nose against his. "Also, for you."

"My breakfast is already right here." Dominic pulled her closer until the tip of his nose was touching her neck. "You should rest more and let others handle breakfast."

Heaven giggled, planting her fist against his chest, and drew her head back. "Haha. That tickles."

"Just stay." Dominic pulled her closer again, relaxing his body. When she was in the safety of his embrace, he adjusted his head slightly. 

"Dom?" she called after a moment of silence. "Won't you ask me what happened last night?"

Dominic partly opened his eyes. "You'll tell me if you want to."

Heaven pressed her lips into a thin line, casually playing with the tip of his hair. That was true. If she wanted to tell him, she would. However, with what happened, she was quite reluctant. 

"Though you scared me last night." Her brows rose when he spoke again, gazing down at him. "When I saw you in that elevator… it reminded me of how you were before."

Huh?

"You look like someone who will slip away from me at any moment," he continued with the same quiet tone, lowering his partly opened eyes. "I felt that if I left you last night, I will never see you again."

Dominic slowly raised his head to meet her eyes. He moved up until his face was leveled with hers. 

"Don't leave," he breathed out, cupping her cheek with his hand trembling slightly. "You can't do that anymore. I won't let you."

There was this strong greediness in his gentle tone, looking at her solemnly as if he meant every word he said. And somehow, she understood where he was coming from. He could let her go if she wanted to in the past, but she changed and let him have a taste of something he had never had before. 

She understood him completely because she felt the same. She had fallen far too deep, and she already missed the chance of turning back. 

"Dom," she called under her breath, maintaining eye contact. "I… have fallen deep."

Huh?

Deep lines appeared between his brows, as that sentence was just too complex to make assumptions. "Fallen… where?"

"In love." She let out a brief chuckle, holding the back of his hand that was cupping her face. "I have fallen deeply, madly, and ardently in love with you."

'I didn't know when it started, but I know how,' she added in her mind. 'I don't just see this family as a shortcut anymore.'

Initially, she simply thought the original Heaven's life was a shortcut. Having a family of her own was her innocent heart's dream, after all. Shallow as it may sound, but that was the truth. She didn't have any strong attachment to them aside that she empathized with them. 

She thought they were pitiful for losing a wife and a mother without them knowing, so she wanted to be good to them. It was the least she could do for inhabiting this body. 

But now… Hera was certain this family was now hers. 

Last night was eye-opening and today, while staring at Dominic, she realized one thing. She would love them as Hera; she would kill for them or die for them. Protecting them, even if it means taking a life, trumped any hesitation she had to embrace her darkness.

Although killing was the last resort, which she prayed not to do in this life, she would do it without a second hesitation if the situation called for it. She couldn't turn back anymore and even if she could, she wouldn't.

This might be her life now, but her past was also something she should embrace.

"I love you, Dom." The corner of her lips curled up into a warm smile. "From the deepest part of my soul, I love you."

Dominic held his breath and, before he could think of anything, he pushed himself up until his face was hovering over her. 

"Say that again," he requested with slight urge, making her chuckle. 

"I love you, Dominic Zhu. I don't think I ever said that before."

"You haven't and neither have I." Dominic smiled before he lowered his head, tilting his head to the side. As soon as his lips landed on hers, he whispered, "I've also fallen deeply, madly, and ardently in love with you."

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