When Hearts Heal

Chapter 29

I was bursting with excitement as I made my way to Dominic’s hotel. After our recent heart-to-heart and the way he had been so supportive, I wanted to surprise him with a visit during his workday. I’d been looking forward to this moment, imagining the smile on his face when he saw me.

The hotel lobby was bustling with activity as I walked in. I glanced around, searching for Dominic’s familiar face. When I finally spotted him near the front desk, he was deep in conversation with someone. I couldn’t make out the details from where I stood, but their interaction seemed warm and friendly.

As I got closer, my heart sank. Dominic and the woman he was talking to embraced in a hug. It wasn’t a quick, friendly hug—it was lingering and intimate. A pang of jealousy and confusion hit me like a tidal wave, and I felt a cold chill run down my spine.

My breath quickened as I approached them. Dominic looked up and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw me. “Adeline, what are you—”

Before he could finish, I cut him off. “Who is she, Dominic?”

The woman looked startled and then uncomfortable, stepping back. Dominic’s expression shifted from surprise to concern. “Adeline, let me explain.”

“I don’t know if I want to hear it right now,” I said, my voice trembling. “Why didn’t you mention her before?”

Dominic looked hurt and confused. “Adeline, please. It’s not what it looks like.”

“I don’t understand,” I said, feeling my emotions swirling. “I thought we were moving forward, and now I see you with someone who seems to be more than just a friend.”

Dominic’s brow furrowed in frustration. “I don’t understand why you’re upset. Emily is a friend who needed help. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by mentioning her.”

I felt a familiar sting of pain and frustration, emotions that had been buried for a long time. “It feels like déjà vu. Jared used to pull this same trick, hiding things and making me feel like I was crazy for questioning him.”

Dominic’s face softened with concern. “I’m not trying to hide anything. I should have been more open about Emily, but I didn’t want to complicate things.”

The memory of Jared’s dismissive responses and gaslighting came rushing back. “Jared always made me feel like I was overreacting. Whenever I tried to confront him, he’d say I was imagining things or being paranoid. I’m scared of falling into that pattern again.”

Dominic’s eyes widened with understanding. “I’m sorry, Adeline. I didn’t realize how much this would trigger those feelings for you. Emily is just a friend who needed help, and I didn’t want to add to your stress.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. “I didn’t mean to bring the past into this, but it’s hard not to when things feel so similar. I need to know that this isn’t the same.”

Dominic reached out, gently touching my arm. “I understand. I should have been more transparent. I want you to feel secure with me. Let’s talk through this and make sure we’re both on the same page.”

Emily, who had been waiting nearby, approached us. She gave a sympathetic smile and quietly excused herself. As she walked away, Dominic turned to me, his eyes earnest.

“Can we talk somewhere more private?” he asked softly. “I want to clear the air and make sure we’re okay.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and lingering hurt. “Yes, let’s talk.”

We left the hotel together, the air between us still tense but more open. As we talked through our feelings and misunderstandings, I felt a sense of clarity and renewed commitment.

I looked at him, my voice softening. “I’m sorry for bringing up my ex. I know we’re not even officially dating, so I have no right to behave like a jealous girlfriend.”

Dominic’s expression changed to one of gentle amusement mixed with affection. “Let’s change that. Not the jealous part, but the ‘girlfriend’ part.”

I blinked, confusion giving way to surprise. “What do you mean?”

Dominic took a deep breath, looking at me with earnest eyes. “Adeline, I care about you a lot. I don’t want to just be seeing you. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

I stared at him, a mix of joy and nervousness bubbling up inside me. His words caught me off guard in the best way possible, but part of me hesitated. I’d been waiting for this kind of honesty and commitment for so long, yet the shadows of my past still hovered in the back of my mind.

“Dominic, I… I want that too. But...” I bit my lip, my heart pounding. “I just don’t want to rush into things only to end up hurt again.”

His face softened, and he stepped closer, taking both my hands in his. “I understand. I know what you’ve been through. But I’m not him, Adeline. I want us to be real, to move forward, together—slowly, if you need to. I’m in this for the long haul.”

I could feel the sincerity in his words, the warmth of his hands grounding me. Still, the memories of Jared’s broken promises crept in. Dominic felt different, but that old fear, that ache, made me feel like I needed to protect myself.

“I want to believe you,” I admitted softly. “And I think I do. But sometimes my past just... sneaks up on me.”

Dominic nodded. “I’m here to prove that it’ll be different this time, Adeline. I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to decide everything right now.”

I smiled, finally allowing myself to lean into the comfort of his words. “Okay. Let’s take this one step at a time.”

We stood there in the middle of the quiet sidewalk, the world continuing around us, but in that moment, it was just the two of us. And for the first time in a while, I felt like I could breathe—like maybe, just maybe, it was okay to trust again.

Dominic squeezed my hands gently, his eyes searching mine for any trace of doubt. I could see how much he wanted to reassure me, to prove that we were on the same page, that this was real.

“Let’s take it slow, Adeline,” he said softly. “We’ll do this on your terms.”

I felt a lump in my throat, but I nodded, grateful for his patience. “Okay. One step at a time.”

We stood there for a moment, the silence between us no longer filled with tension, but a shared understanding. It was like the weight I’d been carrying finally lightened, even if just a little.

Dominic’s gaze softened, and a small, playful smile appeared on his lips. “So, should I assume that means you’re saying yes to being my girlfriend?”

I let out a small laugh, the warmth returning to my cheeks. “Yeah. I think I am.”

He grinned, pulling me into a warm hug, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to fully relax in someone else’s arms. It felt right—scary, but right.

As we pulled away, I caught his eye again, and something inside me settled. Maybe we didn’t have all the answers yet, but we had this moment, and that felt like enough.

“I’m really glad you surprised me at work today,” Dominic said as we began walking toward my car. “Even if it didn’t go exactly how you imagined.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, smiling up at him. “Me too.”

We stopped in our tracks, and I looked up at the sky, the evening air cool and fresh against my skin. I wasn’t sure what the future held, but for now, I was willing to take the risk.

Maybe it was time to stop letting the past define me and start letting someone in.