All Chapters of A Reluctant Promise: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

At eight o'clock in the evening, dark clouds gathered in the sky, heavy and ominous. The air was thick with the scent of dust and moisture, hinting at rain. Samson, burdened with dark circles under his eyes, glanced at the weather forecast and, with a weak voice, said, “Dom, the doctor said this afternoon that you need rest. It’s going to rain tonight. Just come back to the hotel with me and see Valerie tomorrow, alright?” Dominic's gaze remained fixed on the entrance as he answered in a hoarse voice, “If you’re tired, go rest. Don’t worry about me. I know my limits.” Samson felt a wave of helplessness come over him. His pleas fell on deaf ears, and knowing he couldn’t persuade Dominic, he gave up and headed to a nearby store to buy some food and rain gear. As soon as he stepped inside, Dominic caught sight of that familiar car entering his line of vision. Memories of that man from the other day came flooding back, and all his nerves tensed. His body radiated a powerful, inst

Dominic understood but chose to pretend otherwise. He couldn’t accept the reality that she had let go, and so he shook his head desperately, his face full of pain and despair. “I don’t understand, Valerie. Please don’t say things like that.” For the second time, she saw that same fragile, helpless expression on his face. She remembered the last time, on the day she discovered the truth. She had been dazed and confused as she helped a drunken Dominic back home. He had clung to her, calling out “Camilla” all night. By the time morning came, he had fallen asleep, and so had her heart—completely and irreversibly. It had only been a little over a month, but when she thought about it now, it felt so distant, as if it had happened in a past life. Time truly was the best medicine for healing wounds. Faced with his unreasonable attempts to cling to her, she remained calm, her heart untouched. She looked down quietly at his injured hand.“Denying it won’t change anything. It

Valerie and Tiberius chose to get married in late autumn.Dominic flew to Tarvos a day earlier. He spent the entire night alone in a hotel room. At 10 a.m. the next day, he changed into a formal suit and made his way to the wedding venue alone. The person assigned to collect the wedding gifts was from Tiberius’s side of the family and did not know him. Upon seeing him, they asked his name. Dominic didn’t give his name. Instead, he simply said that he was an ex-classmate sending a gift on behalf of their group and asked them to record him as such. After his brief introduction, Dominic reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and, amidst the astonished glances of onlookers, calmly said, “Valerie knows. Please ensure she accepts this. It’s a small token from an ex-classmate wishing her happiness.” The wedding took place at a hotel nestled in the mountains. The venue was surrounded by a sea of pink roses, and the air buzzed with laughter and joy. Dominic casually found an e