Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1428: Never Leave Me

Ethan Barnes is definitely a master; the conversation just now seemed like he said nothing, but he actually said everything.

Not only did he hint to Dominic Reynolds that he was Celeste Linden’s true love, but he also implied that Celeste Linden had disclosed their nominal marriage, directly hitting Dominic Reynolds where it hurt.

Dominic Reynolds returned to the room, and Celeste Linden happened to come out of the bathroom, "You’re not asleep yet?"

"Yeah, I went out for a glass of water. Come here, I’ll help dry your hair." Dominic picked up the hairdryer; he often helped Celeste Linden dry her hair.

Celeste Linden sat over, "I can do it myself. You’ve had a long day, you should rest early."

"I’ll do it." Dominic Reynolds turned on the hairdryer and started blowing Celeste Linden’s hair.

Soon, Dominic’s eyelid twitched because, standing there, he could see from his angle inside Celeste Linden’s loosely tied dressing gown, noticing dense kiss marks on her fair skin.

Dominic looked up at the reflection of Celeste Linden in the mirror, while Celeste sat with her head bowed, seemingly deep in thought.

"Honey, I remember your period’s here, right?"

"Yeah." Celeste Linden realized Dominic was looking at her, quickly fastening her clothes to cover the kiss marks.

Ethan Barnes had done it deliberately in the car, leaving these marks on her, and she had scrubbed for ages, but couldn’t wash them away.

Did Dominic see them now?

He would see them sooner or later; Celeste Linden had been hesitant about whether to tell him about Ethan Barnes.

She didn’t want to keep secrets from him, and Ethan Barnes was like a devil haunting her endlessly; it wasn’t fair to Dominic.

"Dominic, we need to have a serious talk." Celeste Linden initiated.

Dominic’s expression was already gloomy; in the two years of marriage, she resisted his intimacy. He understood, cared, and respected her, never touching her, waiting for the day she would willingly embrace him.

But he had waited for nothing—the old flame from the car rekindled, and even amidst her period, they committed infidelity right under his nose, leaving Dominic feeling humiliated, his dignity ruthlessly trampled.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"I want to discuss my past, talk about some people..."

Dominic abruptly cut her off, "Enough! I don’t want to hear any of it."

With that, Dominic threw the hairdryer heavily onto the vanity table, "It’s late. Let’s get some sleep."

What was wrong with him?

In Celeste’s memory, Dominic had always been gentle and considerate, especially towards her, but now was the first time she saw him so irritable and impatient.

Celeste Linden was now certain he knew about Ethan Barnes’ existence, and her betrayal.

Celeste stood up, grabbing Dominic’s sleeve, "Dominic, I think we really need to sit down and have a good talk. I don’t want to hide from you and definitely don’t want to hurt you..."

"Stop it! I don’t want to hear anything!" Dominic shook her off.

Ah.

Celeste fell onto the carpet, her forehead hit the sharp corner of the bed, immediately a stream of warm blood rolled down her pale face.

Dominic knew he was out of control; he hadn’t managed his strength well earlier, roughly shaking off Celeste, hurting her. He quickly stepped forward, apologetically and tenderly looking at her, "Honey, are you okay? I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you."

Seeing Dominic’s anguished and guilt-ridden expression, Celeste found herself at a loss for words, knowing she had caused him irreparable harm.

"It’s nothing, just a small injury. It doesn’t hurt at all." Celeste softly comforted him.

Dominic reached out, pulling Celeste into his embrace, "Honey, will you leave me?"

Celeste looked a little lost; she didn’t know either.

"Honey, don’t leave me. I truly love you; as long as you stay by my side, I can endure anything."

He actually said it.

Celeste was genuinely moved; a man loving her like this, humbling himself into the dust.

"Okay." Celeste reached out and hugged Dominic.

Once she believed Dominic was the light she held in her hand, her only salvation, but now she realized everything was like a mirage; she wasn’t worthy of such a good man.

As long as he didn’t mind her flaws, she would always stay by his side, never leaving.

...

In the study.

Dominic received an email; he had investigated Ethan Barnes, and now had the result.

Dominic opened the email, his pupils contracted; only now did he realize that the man he saw last night in that military luxury car was none other than the renowned King Hayden.

Dominic also knew that the two deaths in his company were surely orchestrated by Ethan Barnes; it turned out he was the mastermind behind it all.

That despicable, vile man.

Dominic, though so angry his teeth itched, knew he stood no chance against Ethan Barnes; this was his territory, he was the king, and everything was under his command.

At that moment, the study door was pushed open, and Celeste Linden walked in, "Dominic, are you done? Mom and Dad are coming. Shall we hurry to the airport to pick them up?"

Dominic reached out, gently touching Celeste’s forehead bandaged with a plaster, "Does it still hurt?"

"No, it doesn’t."

Dominic chuckled, then firmly clasped her soft, delicate hand, "Let’s go pick up Mom and Dad."

The two arrived at the airport and picked up Dominic’s parents; they clung to Dominic, still shaken, "Our visa and passports suddenly faced issues, and the staff almost detained us."

Dominic and Celeste were shocked, "Mom, Dad, what’s the problem? Why did this happen?"

Dominic’s parents were equally bewildered, "We don’t know; fortunately, we encountered a good man who helped us resolve it. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have seen you."

"What good man? I must properly thank him," Dominic said.

Dominic’s mom laughed, holding Celeste’s hand, "angel, you know this good man; he’s your brother."

What?

Celeste Linden had no brother, only her younger brother Miles Linden. Who was this brother, emerging from nowhere?

"angel, look, your brother is here too."

Following Dominic’s mom’s gaze, Celeste looked ahead, soon spotting a tall, handsome figure as Ethan Barnes approached.

Today, Ethan Barnes wore a black trench coat, his tall stature over six feet, both handsome and stylish, radiating an aura, becoming the most eye-catching presence in the hall.