Chapter 17
The guests erupted into shocked whispers.[]
“Isn’t that Dominic Reed?“[]
“Did he just say ‘don’t marry him? Is he trying to stop the wedding?!”
“My God, the Sinclair heir just woke up, and now this drama at his wedding…”
The murmurs swelled like a rising tide. Ariana dug her nails into her palm, half–convinced she was hallucinating.[]
Dominic… here? Why?]
She watched him approach step by step. His suit was creased as if he’d slept in it, dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes suggesting he hadn’t properly rested in days.
“Don’t marry him,” he repeated, his voice barely recognizable.[]
Ariana’s fingers trembled slightly, but she forced herself to remain composed: “Dominic, what are you doing here?“]
She could hear the ice in her own voice: “Aren’t you afraid your precious Mia will be jealous?“[]
Dominic flinched as if she’d struck him, his eyes filled wi
intell
pain.
“I got it wrong,” his voice was rough with emotion. “Ari, three years loving the wrong person.“[]
o, the
person I fell
in
love with was you, not Mia. All this time I’ve been blind and foolish,
“Do you remember rescuing that bird’s nest at the charity gala three
years ago? That day,
for
Ariana’s pupils dilated.[]
you at first sight, but I mistook you for Mia.‘
a.“]
Of course she remembered that day–wearing a white dress, climbing a tree to save a precariously balanced nest. When she climbed down, she’d glimpsed a man standing in the distance, but assumed he was just a passerby and hurried away.[]
That had been… him?]]
Seeing her stunned silence, Dominic pressed on urgently. “I’ve discovered everything–how Mia has been manipulating me all along. You were the one suffering in the Reeves household, not her. She drugged your mother, causing her and your unborn sibling’s deaths. She’s tormented you since childhood, fabricated false reports to steal your study abroad opportunity. I’m so sorry–I didn’t investigate properly. I failed you…”
Each word he spoke sent another sharp pain through Ariana’s heart.]
All the past injustices and suffering, so casually laid bare, as if a simple “I got it wrong” could erase years of heartache.
She laughed suddenly, though her eyes remained cold: “So that’s it? You say you ‘got it wrong, and that’s supposed to make everything better? To erase all the pán I’ve endured?–
Dominic’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to speak: “Art, I’m sorry… I’ll spend my entire life making it up to you.“[]
“Make it up?” She twisted her lips sardonically. “Dominic, do you remember how you treated me for Mia’s sake?“]
He went completely still
She enumerated each wound precisely, her words like knives carving into his heart:]
“At the auction, you had someone bad limitlessly for her, ensuring I couldn’t win a single item
You risked your life climbing Crescent Cliff to pick a flower for her
Teu tattooed her name above your heart, focused solely un protecting her when that mastiff attacked, then had someone whip me ninety nine times in retaliation for her reving a single lash
With each ercussion, Dominic’s face grow paler []
By the end, he could barely stand, dinging to his composure only by digging his nails deep into his palms ()
The sorry” Bila voor was shredded eyes reddened Art please give our une chance
bie spoke rapidly, as if stred of being interrupted Tve sirvady punished everyone who ever hurt you: Mia and your father I’ve dealt with them both. Mla
Chapter 17
now married to my sixty year–old great uncle, and I personally ran your father over, breaking both his legs…“[]
Ariana’s expression turned to shock, but before she could respond, Christopher coldly stepped in front of her: “Enough! Mr. Reed, show some respect.“[]
Dominic’s pained expression instantly transformed into something far more dangerous.[]
He forced himself to regain control, turning to Christopher: “Mr. Sinclair, you’ve only just awakened. How much affection could you possibly have developed for Ari in such a short time?” []
“If you’ll step aside, I’m prepared to offer thirty percent of all North Shore–Sinclair collaborative projects‘ profits.“[]
I’ll translate this missing passage to complete the English adaptation:[]
