Chapter 17: Kiss your husband
Hannah decided to ignore the strangely affectionate atmosphere between the newlyweds and turned her attention to Dominic.
"Grandpa called me earlier," she said. "He asked me to accompany you tomorrow."
Dominic finally shifted his gaze away from Clara.
"You shouldn’t have come here in the first place, Hannah."
His blunt reply made Clara pause with her chopsticks halfway to her mouth.
She had never fully understood the relationship between the Sterling siblings.
Dominic was as cold and reserved as a block of ice.
Hannah, on the other hand, was outspoken, fierce, and rarely held back her opinions.
Yet beneath their constant disagreements, they cared deeply about each other.
"You know exactly why I’m here, Brother," Hannah replied without backing down.
She glanced coldly at Clara.
"It’s because of her."
"I can’t trust her, no matter how blindly you choose to."
Clara quietly put down her spoon.
"Hmm..." she said hesitantly. "In that case... how about I come with you tomorrow?"
The words had barely left her mouth before two voices answered in perfect unison.
"No."
"No."
"..."
Clara blinked at them, looking from Dominic to Hannah before letting out a helpless sigh.
They actually synchronized...
While Dominic remained expressionless. His thoughts, however, betrayed him immediately.
(No... I can’t let her go.)
(What if Grandpa asks her to divorce me right in front of everyone?)
(She might agree without even thinking twice.)
Clara’s heart softened. She slowly turned to Hannah.
"I don’t want you creating another scene like you’ve always done," Hannah said frankly.
There wasn’t a trace of malice in her voice. Only protectiveness.
From Hannah’s perspective, Clara had hurt Dominic and his family far too many times. She simply didn’t want history to repeat itself.
Clara nodded understandingly. "I know why you think that. But I really won’t cause any trouble this time. I actually want to apologize."
She smiled sincerely. "I want to apologize to Grandpa... and everyone else. I also want to tell them that I’ve accepted this marriage. And that I’ve accepted the Sterling family."
Hannah stared at her for several seconds before letting out a short laugh.
"Apologize? You expect me to believe that?" She shook her head.
"Clara, one good deed doesn’t erase everything you’ve done. You’ve disrespected my family more than once. So forgive me if I don’t suddenly believe you’ve become a different person overnight."
Clara lowered her eyes briefly before looking back up.
"I understand. I know I don’t deserve your trust yet. But trust me this once. I won’t repeat the mistakes I made before."
Hannah remained unmoved. "No."
Seeing she couldn’t convince Hannah, Clara slowly turned toward Dominic.
Her eyes softened. "Dominic..." She gently tugged on the sleeve of his shirt beneath the table.
"I’m telling the truth. Please let me come tomorrow."
A tiny pout appeared on her lips.
Dominic looked at her while his face remained perfectly calm. Inside... he was complete chaos.
(Why does she have to pout like that?)
(She looks... unbelievably cute.)
(Now I want to kiss her right here.)
(No, Dominic.)
(Control yourself.)
Clara almost smiled. It’s working.
She continued in an even softer voice. "Please. I want to tell your family myself. I want them to know I’ve truly accepted this marriage...and accepted all of you."
Dominic’s heart wavered.
(Wifey...)
(You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.)
(I’ve already accepted you.)
(That’s enough for me.)
His fingers unconsciously tightened around the fork in his hand.
He wanted to say yes more than anything. But another memory surfaced.
Grandfather’s disappointed expression and the cold words he would throw at her.
"No."
Dominic looked at her and answered, "You can’t come with us."
The words hung heavily in the air, leaving Clara stunned.
A victorious smile appeared on Hannah’s face. She looked at Clara. "There’s your answer."
Clara blinked. She hadn’t expected Dominic to refuse her. Just as disappointment began creeping into her heart, his thoughts exploded again.
(Oh no...)
(Did I upset her?)
(Wifey, please don’t look so sad.)
(I only refused because I want to protect you.)
(If Grandpa brings up divorce...)
(I don’t think I could bear hearing you agree to it.)
Clara’s expression softened. For the first time she truly understood why Dominic had refused.
It wasn’t because he doubted her. It was because he was afraid.
Afraid of losing her.
In her previous life, every time the Sterling family suggested a divorce, she had immediately agreed and used their words to pressure Dominic into letting her go.
Yet he had always refused.
Back then, she couldn’t understand why. Now... she finally did.
Taking a slow breath, Clara smiled gently.
"Okay. I won’t go."
Dominic looked at her in surprise.
"But..."
A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.
"There’s one thing you have to do for me instead."
Dominic’s heartbeat instantly sped up.
(Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling...?)
***
"No."
Dominic’s answer was immediate. He wasn’t expecting Clara to bring up the topic of her working.
"I can’t agree to that." His tone left no room for negotiation. Unfortunately for him... Clara had already decided she wasn’t backing down.
She folded her arms across her chest.
"Then I’ll go with you tomorrow."
"No, you won’t."
"Then let me work."
The sudden change in topic made Dominic pause.
Clara looked at him seriously. "I’ve already told you I won’t run, and you believed me. I don’t want to stay home doing nothing all day."
Dominic frowned.
"I’ve already said no."
"I know."
Clara nodded as though she had expected that answer. "Which is why I’m giving you another choice."
She took a slow step toward him. "If you won’t let me work... then I’ll come with you tomorrow."
Dominic remained silent.
"So? "She took another step. "Which one will it be?"
The distance between them grew shorter. Clara had to tilt her chin upward just to meet his eyes. Despite her determination, the height difference was impossible to ignore.
She barely reached his shoulders. Yet she continued trying to look as intimidating as possible.
Dominic looked down at her. His expression remained perfectly calm. His thoughts, however, immediately betrayed him.
(Why is she standing so close?)
(Is she trying to intimidate me?)
(...Because if she is...)
(It’s working.)
Clara almost burst into laughter. The great Dominic Sterling... intimidated by me?
Unable to resist teasing him further, she stepped even closer. Now there was barely enough space between them for a sheet of paper.
She placed one hand on his chest and looked up at him.
"If not...then let me join you tomorrow. It’s your choice." Her voice remained calm. "You decide."
Dominic lowered his gaze to the hand resting against his chest. His heartbeat instantly became impossible to ignore.
(Too close.)
(She’s much too close.)
(Can she hear how fast my heart is beating?)
(No, stay calm.)
(You’re Dominic Sterling.)
(You negotiate billion-dollar contracts.)
(You don’t lose to your wife in an argument.)
Clara patiently waited.
Dominic took a slow breath. "I still don’t think—" Before he could finish, Clara leaned in just a tiny bit more.
"Well?"
His thoughts exploded.
(Grandpa will definitely ask for a divorce tomorrow.)
(If I take her... she might agree.)
(If I don’t let her work... she’ll keep looking at me like this.)
(Why does she have to look so adorable when she’s negotiating?)
(Focus, Dominic!)
(Think logically.)
(Option one... she comes tomorrow.)
(Option two... she starts working.)
(...Actually, if she starts working, she’ll be happy.)
(And if she’s happy... she’ll smile more.)
(...I like seeing her smile.)
(Wait... why am I convincing myself?)
Clara’s lips slowly curled upward. She already knew where this was going.
Dominic let out an almost inaudible sigh.
"...Fine."
Clara’s eyes lit up. "You’ll let me work?"
Dominic gave a small nod. "Yes. But only on one condition."
The smile on Clara’s face faltered. But Dominic didn’t stop there.
"Every morning before you leave...kiss your husband."
Clara froze. "...What?"
"And another when you come home."
(If possible... one before bed too.)
Clara’s face turned bright red.
This man... his mouth has finally started saying what his brain has been screaming all along.