Chapter 11
The devotion Dominic showed Mia reached levels that shocked even the most jaded observers.
As her bodyguard, he accompanied her shopping, dining, and to the cinema. If she casually mentioned craving a bakery’s signature pastries from across town, he would queue at 3 AM to purchase them. When her feet grew tired from shopping, he would kneel before her to massage her ankles, completely disregarding the startled glances of passersby.[]
As the North Shore heir, when Mia admired a high–end jewelry designer’s new collection, he secretly purchased the entire series as a gift. When she mentioned loving stars, he bought a portion of the night sky and named it after her. If she expressed dislike for someone, by the next day that person would simply vanish from their social circles.]
The elite of North Shore whispered that the North Shore heir had completely lost himself to Mia Reeves.[]
-They weren’t wrong.]]
One day, Mia insisted on watching the sunset in the countryside. On their return journey, a truck lost control and barreled straight toward their vehicle.[]
In that split second, Dominic wrenched the steering wheel, positioning the vehicle so that the passenger side would be spared the brunt of the impact, then twisted his body to shield Mia.[]
BANG!
Their car rolled twice, glass shattering as airbags deployed. Dominic’s back slammed against the door, metal fragments piercing his flesh as blood soaked through his shirt.
Yet his arms remained steady around her, not allowing her to suffer even a scratch.
“Dom!” Mia’s face drained of color as she tremblingly touched his blood–streaked face. “You’re–you’re bleeding…”
Dominic tried to reassure her, but when he opened his mouth, he coughed up blood.[]
Before losing consciousness, the last thing he heard was her hysterical crying.[]
When he regained consciousness, he stared up at the stark white ceiling of a hospital room.[]
Mia had fallen asleep at his bedside. Hearing him stir, she immediately threw herself at him: “You idiot! Why would you do something so reckless?“]
She inadvertently pressed against his wound, causing Dominic to groan in pain, yet he still raised his hand to gently stroke her back: “It’s fine… doesn’t hurt.“]
Mia cried dramatically. “The doctor said the metal came within an inch of your heart!“]
He remained gentle, “Don’t cry, this is my duty.”
“You’re too good to me…” Mia looked up with tear–filled eyes. “Even though you’re Art’s bodyguard, you’ve always secretly taken care of me…“[]
“0
“Remember when I had that fever, and you ran through that terrible storm to bring me those macarons…”
That night the rain had poured relentlessly. He’d searched for five hours, returning soaking wet but still delivering warm pastries to the Reeves mansion.[]
“And last year on my birthday, when I casually mentioned wanting that exclusive necklace that wasn’t even available for purchase, you entered that dangerous street racing competition to win it.
“What touched me most was that flower from Crescent Cliff… such a dangerous place, you risked your life just to pick a flower for me…“[]
Mia gazed at him expectantly, “why are you so good to me?”
“Because..” he opened his mouth, bast the words “I love you stuck in his throat[]
Something felt profoundly wrong!!
Despite taking a bullet for her, dinding a diff for her, even tattooing her name on his cheat, when it came to actually saying those three words, his heart felt like It was being spaenzed by an invisilde hand, making it imposside to breathe []
“Are you free three days from now?” he citimately changed the autgert 1 have something I want to tell you
Mia’s eyes brightened “What is 371
“You i know then.” He managed a unite []
Chapter 11
Mia was about to press further when her phone suddenly rang.
She checked the caller ID, her expression instantly becoming flustered: “Dom, something’s come up–I need to go!“]]
Before Dominic could respond, she had already grabbed her purse and rushed out of the hospital room.[]
As the door closed behind her, Dominic’s smile faded.]
He stared at the ceiling, suddenly remembering an incident from six months earlier-[]
He was still Ariana’s bodyguard then, and during a business event, they’d been attacked.[]
To protect her, he’d suffered a deep slash across his shoulder, the wound extending to the bone.[]
“Dominic Reed, you absolute IDIOT!” Ariana had erupted, eyes reddening as she cursed him. “Who told you to block it? Who told you to?!“]
Even while berating him, she’d frantically tried to stop his bleeding, her expensive designer dress becoming soaked with blood without her noticing.[]
Later at the hospital, this pampered heiress who had never lifted a finger for herself insisted on caring for him personally. []}
“Yes, you’re my bodyguard,” she had said, eyes still red–rimmed, “but your life matters just as much as mine.“]
As this memory surfaced, Dominic’s lips curved upward involuntarily.[]
The next moment, he froze.[]
What was he doing?]
Ariana had married into the Sinclair family. He was in love with Mia, not her. Why was he dwelling on these meaningless recollections?
As if to prove something to himself, he grabbed his phone and called his childhood friend, Alexander West.[]
“Well, look who finally remembered he has friends!” Alexander’s teasing voice came through the line. “I heard you took a bullet for love–nearly martyred yourself in the name of romance?”
Dominic got straight to the point: “Help me arrange a proposal setting.“[]
“What?!” Alexander nearly fell off his chair. “You’re finally going to propose to Mia? Done with the secret admirer routine?“[]
“Yes.” Dominic rattled off a series of requirements: “I want a rose garden, a symphony orchestra, drone light show, and prepare a pink diamond pendant…“[]
Alexander whistled in amazement: “You’re spending millions only on a proposal? She’ll be completely spoiled! Honestly, I still don’t understand what you see in Mia Reeves.”
This question sent Dominic into reflection.]
Three years ago at that charity gala, he’d first spotted Mia.]
She’d been wearing a white dress, carefully climbing a tree to rescue a precariously balanced bird’s nest.[]
Sunlight had filtered through the leaves, dappling her figure. Her face wasn’t clearly visible, but the scene was beautiful, like a painting.
He’d stepped away to take a call, and when he returned to offer help, she had already successfully saved the nest and departed.[]
He asked a server who she was, and received the answer: “Miss Reeves.“[]
That moment of enchantment had decided everything. He was determined to meet her []
Hed even concealed his identity, becoming Ariana’s bodyguard for the sole purpose of gaining regular access to Mia]
thes kind, pure Domanic mechanically listed Mia’s qualities, yet the more he spoke, the more unfamiliar he felt
*Abyway. just get everything ready.” he concluded. “This time, I’m going to make Mia say yes.“]
With that, he ended the call
