Chapter 28: Do you want me to help you?
While Dominic was internally panicking, Clara was doing everything she could to stop herself from laughing.
She had never imagined that one day she would be admiring her husband’s backside.
Yet here she was... completely smitten.
Standing outside the bathroom, she bit her lip to suppress a laugh when suddenly the bathroom’s door swung open, causing Clara to jump in surprise.
Dominic stood there with droplets of water still clinging to his hair. A towel was wrapped securely around his waist, while another rested casually over his shoulder.
For a brief second...
Clara completely forgot how to blink.
Why didn’t I ever notice how handsome he is?
Looking at him now, she couldn’t help but regret wasting so many years chasing after Alex.
She had spent her previous life loving the wrong man while completely overlooking the wonderful husband who had been beside her all along.
What was wrong with me back then?
A smile slowly spread across her face.
No matter...
This time I’ll admire him enough for both lifetimes.
Let’s see how long my husband can keep acting calm.
Dominic, meanwhile, remained rooted to the spot.
He had finally managed to regain his composure after the bathroom incident.
At least...
That was what he wanted Clara to believe.
(Don’t panic, Dominic.)
(Stay calm.)
(You’re the composed one here.)
(She must never know how embarrassed you are.)
His expression remained perfectly indifferent.
Only his racing thoughts betrayed him.
Clara, on the other hand, heard every single one of them.
The corners of her lips twitched.
Oh... so that’s how we’re playing this.
She walked toward him with an innocent smile.
"Your hair is still dripping."
Dominic looked at her.
"I’ll dry it."
Before he could refuse, Clara had already taken his hand. "Come with me."
Without waiting for an answer, she gently pulled him toward the dressing table.
"Sit."
Almost unconsciously, Dominic obeyed. The moment he sat down, he frowned inwardly.
(Why did I listen so easily?)
(Was I hypnotized?)
Clara picked up a towel and stood behind him.
Just as she was about to dry his hair, a warm hand gently wrapped around her wrist.
She looked down. Dominic was looking at her.
"You’re soaked too." His gaze briefly swept over her damp hair.
"It was raining."
"You should dry yours first."
(I can’t let her catch a cold.)
Clara’s heart instantly softened and she smiled. Then an idea crossed her mind.
She leaned down until they were at eye level. "How about...we dry each other’s hair?"
Before Dominic could process her suggestion, she sat sideways on his lap.
Dominic froze. Every muscle in his body instantly stiffened.
(Holy...shit)
(What is she doing?)
(She’s too close.)
(How am I supposed to breathe?)
(Her face is right there...)
Clara nearly laughed out loud after hearing his frantic thoughts.
Instead of moving away, she shifted slightly, making herself more comfortable.
"There. This is much easier."
Dominic swallowed.
(Does she have any idea what she’s doing?)
(I need to stay calm.)
(Calm, Dominic.)
(Calm...)
Just as Clara was congratulating herself on successfully teasing her husband... she suddenly felt something firm nudge against her thigh.
Her smile froze and her eyes widened.
Slowly...very slowly...she lowered her gaze before immediately looking back at Dominic.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke; however, Dominic’s ears turned bright red.
(...Well.)
(...This is awkward.)
Clara’s cheeks flushed just as quickly.
Clara’s eyes widened.
Don’t tell me... he’s hard.
She couldn’t remember ever having this effect on Dominic.
Even after they were married in her previous life, their intimacy had always been brief. Dominic had always been gentle and considerate, never once making her uncomfortable before quietly leaving afterward.
Back then, she had been too consumed by her resentment to notice anything about him.
Now, thinking back...she realized how patient he had always been with her.
Regret washed over her once again. Instead of dwelling on the awkwardness, Clara quietly continued drying his damp hair.
After a moment, she spoke with complete honesty.
"...You’re hard."
Dominic’s body stiffened. His ears instantly turned red.
(You’re the one making me lose my composure, wifey.)
(How are you saying it so casually?)
Clara heard every word in his thoughts, and the blush on her own face deepened.
She slowly lowered the towel.
"Do you... want me to help you...?"
Her voice was softer than before. Although they had shared a husband-and-wife relationship in their previous life, this time was different.
This wasn’t driven by misunderstanding or circumstance. Both of them were completely sober. Completely aware. And for the first time, Clara wanted to make things right. She wanted Dominic to know that she was no longer the woman who had pushed him away.
Dominic looked into her hesitant eyes and understood what she was trying to say.
Back then when Clara had been drugged, he had done everything he could to comfort her. He had only crossed that line because he had been left with no other choice to protect her.
But this time...things were different. She deserved the chance to choose freely.
He gently shook his head.
"No."
Clara blinked in surprise. "...No?"
Dominic smiled faintly.
"Not like this." His voice was calm and reassuring. "I don’t want you making a decision because you think you owe me something."
Clara stared at him, momentarily speechless.
Dominic gently took the towel from her hands.
"When the day comes... I want it to be because we both truly want it."
He lightly brushed a strand of wet hair away from her face.
"And judging by how red you are..." A teasing smile appeared on his lips.
"I think you’re even more embarrassed than I am."
Clara immediately covered her burning face.
"W-Who’s embarrassed?"
Dominic chuckled. "You."
(My cute wifey. I didn’t realise she would ge this flustered.)
She pouted.
"I was only worried about you."
Dominic laughed softly. "I know."
After Clara assured him that she was ready to give this marriage a chance, Dominic too tried to ease himself around her, not doubting every step she took. And even if she hurt him, he wouldn’t be upset.
(And that’s already enough.)