Chapter 24
In the pitch black night sky, stars twinkled brilliantly.
The island was neither too large nor too small, surrounded by scenic views and a mild climate. Even at night, it didn’t feel cold. The surroundings of the villa were lit by streetlights, adding a sense of serenity and comfort to the vibe.
Lola, still in her long white dress, was forcibly wrapped in a thin blanket by Dominick Hold tightly in his arms, they walked step by step toward a soft couch in the open space a distance away. The surroundings were quiet, with only the sound of the tides rising and falling
“When will you let me go, Mr. Sinclair?” Lola asked coldly, looking into the distance.
Dominick paused in his steps, lowering his gaze to the woman in his arms. His deep and magnetic voice resonated above Lola.
“Lola, I never intended to imprison you. I just wanted us to have some time that belongs only to us.”
Lola let out a cold laugh, lifting her eyes indifferently.
“Then Mr. Sinclair, you will see the day when both the Sinclair Group and the Moore Group become history.”
Dominick had taken her away on her route back to the mansion, and Ethan would surely seek him out. Although she didn’t know where she was, three days had passed without any sign of Ethan. It was clear that this place was beyond even his reach. Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
If Ethan couldn’t find her, he would undoubtedly attack both the Sinclair Group and the Moore Group to force Dominick to surrender her.
Dominick lowered his eyelids, remaining silent.
The moment Lola was placed on a lounge chair and before Dominick had the chance to sit beside her, Lola got up, intending to return to the villa. But before she could take another step, Dominick reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
“Stay put. You’re hurt. Whatever you need, I’ll have the maid bring it to you.”
Lola was about to speak when suddenly a loud “bang” echoed near them. She saw fireworks bursting like bouquets in the sky, spreading cut in all directions like umbrellas, with patterns resembling rose petals cascading down toward Lola, illuminating the pitch–black night as if it were daylight.
The petals of light rained down, slowly fading away.
Another burst of flames rapidly climbed the sky, silently exploding. The star–filled night now showcased an image of a man in a suit and a woman in a wedding dress, standing face to face. Between them was a sentence.
[Lola, my love.]
Upon seeing the words, Lola paused. She sneered scornfully as she looked up at Dominick. “Mr. Sinclair, don’t you think this is ridiculous?”
Before Dominick could speak, Lola continued.
“I still remember how you deceived me, humiliated me, hurt me, used me, and forced me two years ago, leading to our four–month–old child being robbed of life by his own father, never getting a chance to see the world. And all that just to pursue your own love.”
Tears slid down Lola’s cheek, but she laughed, her eyes bloodshot as she stared coldly at Dominick.
“Mr. Sinclair, do you ever see him in your dreams)
Dominick stood rigid, his fist clenched at his side, lips sealed in a tight line, wordless.
“I do!” Lola forcefully patted hersell, speaking every word slowly and forcefully
“I dream of him covered in blood, coming to me, asking why I didn’t protect him. He would cry and scream that the ground beneath him was cold and
“Lolal”
rain, causing him agony, and he would beg me to bring lm back!”
Seeing Lola’s obviously disturbed emotions, Dominick stepped forward to comfort her, but she forcefully pushed him away
“Don’t you dare touch me!”
Lola looked up, her eyes brimming with tears and intense hatred.
“Dominick, your touch makes me sick. Every time I see you, I wonder why it wasn’t you who died two years ago, if I could start over, I would rather hieve been killed by George than run out of Mitchell Villa that night. I would rather have been hit by a car than meet you again.
“Every time I see you, I wonder why it wasn’t you
t you who died two years ago
Dominick felt a sudden pain in his chest as he stared incredulously at the woman before him. He opened his mouth, attempting to utter her name, but a sweet, metallic laste surged in his throat.
Another burst of flames exploded in the sky with a loud bang.
Lola didn’t look up at the sky again. She just walked toward the villa without hesitation.
Unbeknownst to her, the scene of the man and woman facing each other had turned into something else,
Under the large osmanthus tree, a young man held an umbrella, gazing down at the little girl in front of him. The girt looked up at the man before her. Beside them, a phrase read: [It was a cold night, but because of you, I didn’t feel the cold.]
As Lola’s figure faded into the distance, Dominick violently spat out a mouthful of blood.
His tall figure crumbled to the ground along with the droplets of blood.
Flames burst again in the sky, casting a glow over the blood–soaked earth. A faint, bitter smile played across Dominick’s lips.
“Yeah, why wasn’t it me who died two years ago?”
If he had been the one to break through the railing and plummet down the cliff instead of Landon, none of what followed would have happened. Jessica would have her happy life with Landon, and while the Sinclair family might not value Lola, his death would at least save their unborn child.
That night, Dominick didn’t return to the villa.
Lola lay in bed, quietly watching the world outside the window.
Occasionally, the sound of fireworks pierced the air, casting the night sky into a play of light and shadow. Lola didn’t bother to see what patterns they
formed.
For the next two days, Dominick was nowhere to be seen.
Lola couldn’t tell if Ethan had uncovered her whereabouts, making Dominick cautious, or if a crisis within the Sinclair and Moore Groups had tied Dominick up, preventing him from leaving. Either way, his absence made the villa more bearable for her. She often found herself sitting on the shoreline rocks, lost in thought.
She didn’t know where she was, nor how far she was from the shore, but one thing was certain. There wasn’t a single boat on the entire island.
Lola thought this must be why Dominick didn’t bother to have someone watch over her.
As she sat on the stones, the crashing waves drenched her dress, yet she remained silent, gazing at the sea lapping at her feet. Gradually, she fell into a light slumber. As a wave hit, she toppled to the side, not onto the rocks, but into a cool embrace.
Dominick quietly draped a thin blanket over Lola and lowered his gaze to observe the woman in his arms.
The setting sun cast a gentle glow over the sea. It gilded the figures on the rocks with a soft luminescence. Seen from afar, they were chrouded in an air et solitude and melancholy