45: Ten minutes

Ten minutes

"You're back?"2

Dominic followed the source of the voice, only to see Heaven coming out of the bathroom. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. She was still in a bathrobe, hair damped, her skin glowing.

Does she always walk around in a bathrobe?

"Hehe. I moved my things here," she said, stopping a few steps from him. "What do you think?"

Her mild scent wafted through his nostrils, but he ignored these minor details as he looked around his bedroom. Some things weren't familiar to him. Even the pillowcases were a combination of his preferred grey color and then, on the other side, was a bright baby pink. There were also plushies, hand cream on the bedside table, and so much more.

Some decorations were added, adding more colors to his room. Some furniture was rearranged as well.

Dominic was only out for several hours, but his room changed drastically. When his eyes fell on his wife, her plumped lips stretched with eyes twinkling in anticipation.

"Twelve minutes." He checked his wristwatch while she cocked her head to the side. "Can you get change in two minutes?"

"What? Why?"

"I want to talk to you."

Heaven blinked, holding the tip of her hair in between the small towel. "Let's talk now."

"Aren't you bothered?"

"About?" Heaven furrowed her brows, only to realize what he meant by that question when he glanced at her body. "Oh, it's fine. Or does this bother you, knowing I have nothing beneath the robe?"

"Yes." Dominic didn't beat around the bush. "It bothers me very much."

'Gosh.' Heaven mentally clicked her tongue. 'I thought if I keep showing up in a robe, I'll grow on him faster.'

"I see." She smacked her lips. "Wait for me. I'll go get change."

Heaven didn't idle, almost running to the walk-in closet. Since she had too many clothes, she only brought what was necessary. Hence, Heaven quickly changed into a pair of pajamas. When she returned to the bedroom, Dominic was already sitting in the armchair.

'Why do I feel nervous?' she wondered as she reluctantly dragged her feet to the couch.

"I'm back," she announced as soon as she plopped her butt down. "What are we going to talk about? Can't it wait until after dinner?"

Dominic checked his wristwatch again. It was ten minutes before eight, raising his eyes to meet her gaze.

"Did you think about what I said this morning?" he asked, delving into the matter right away. "It's ten minutes before eight. You can still change your mind."

"That… is what you want to talk about?" she inquired and he nodded. "No. I didn't think about what you said this morning because there's nothing to think about."

"You mean?"

"I mean, I am already dead serious about this setup." Heaven shrugged. "What I am asking is shameless, but can you pretend all the harsh words that I said in the past weren't me? Think of it as the devil speaking. Think of it as if I was possessed, and the curse was finally lifted."

Nonsense.

Even Heaven found everything she had spewed as an utter bull. However, she already lacked words to make him believe her. All she could rely on was her actions.

Dominic glanced at the time again.

Seven minutes.

"Heaven Liu, what is your aim for this change of heart?" he asked solemnly, holding her gaze without any sign he would look away. "What is your goal?"

"My goal?" Heaven pondered, even though she didn't need to.

"Did the divorce scare you even just a tiny bit? If that is the case, you will get a hefty alimony. This is the only reason I could think of for you to suddenly —"

"I want to fix this marriage."

Dominic almost forgot the rest of his words upon her remarks.

"I want to make things right, Dom. It took me five years to have the courage to face my reality. I can't bring my father back to life no matter how many nights I cry, and I can't keep denying Basti's existence." Her face crumpled slightly, hurting as she used this sort of excuse to give her husband a proper answer. "I know it's hard to believe and I'm not forcing you to open up your heart as soon as possible. I can accept it if you don't — ever. But there's no harm for me to try and atone for everything."

"I will talk to you." Deep lines appeared between her brows at his response to her lengthy explanation. "If I talked to you, will you not lash out at me?"

'That was his concern?' Heaven nearly gasped. 'Fuck you, Heaven!'

"Why would I?" Heaven sighed deeply.

"And you might need to slowly meddle in Basti's affairs."

"That's a given."

"We might need to spend more time with him. Together."

"Of course, we are his parents."

"And I might fuck you again."

"That's obvio -- " Heaven looked at Dominic as if she didn't hear his last remarks. "I'm sorry?"

Dominic glanced at the time before he finally took off his watch. He placed it on the coffee table, making her instinctually glance at it.

Two minutes.

Dominic took his precious time, setting his eyes back on her. "No one knows what the future holds. Therefore, I do not get rid of the possibility that we might need to consummate this marriage."

'Oh… That's what he meant.'

There were lots of responses Heaven could've said, but her voice was stuck in her throat. Why? Because just now, she couldn't see the gentleman she thought her husband was.

All she could see right now was a man who would take off her clothes if they mutually agreed. Not that his eyes were lustful or shared any resemblance to that of a dangerous predator. Dominic just had this strange look in his eyes that Heaven couldn't accurately pinpoint what it was.

"Time's up." His stern voice brought her back to the current lapse.

Panic surged in her heart. 'What? What now?' she wondered, watching Dominic stand from his seat, only to sit beside her.

"Heaven Liu, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and stop testing the waters. One last chance to make things right for our son." Dominic leaned his face forward, stressing each word to make her remember them. "Whether you are lying right now doesn't matter. As long as you live up to this lie and don't ever get caught because if you do, you'll end up hating me more than you already did."

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