Chapter 8 - The Art of Listening
The following week, Claire noticed subtle changes in her daily routine. A sleek black town car was occasionally parked at the corner of her school. When she walked home in the evenings, she felt the strange sensation of being watched, though whenever she turned around, the street was empty.
Over dinner at Claire’s apartment on Thursday night, she brought it up while Dominic was setting the dining table.
“Dominic... something weird has been happening,” Claire said, pouring two glasses of iced tea.
Dominic paused, his body tensing imperceptibly. “What is it, Claire?”
“I think Marcus might be having someone follow me,” she said, looking troubled. “I’ve noticed the same black SUV near my school twice this week. I feel like someone is watching me.”
Dominic set the plates down and walked over to her, his expression serious and gentle. He took her hands in his.
“Claire... it’s not Marcus,” Dominic said quietly.
Claire blinked. “What do you mean?”
Dominic took a deep breath, choosing his words with immense care. “After the incident at the gala, I was concerned for your safety. I asked a private security team from my company to monitor the perimeter of your school and your street. Just to make sure nobody bothered you.”
Claire’s eyes widened. A sudden flash of panic and betrayal crossed her features. She pulled her hands away from his.
“You put security guards on me?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“Claire, it was only for your protection—”
“Without telling me?” Claire’s voice rose. “Dominic, what did I tell you on the very first day you overheard me at the resort? Rule #6: No is a complete sentence. Rule #7: No controlling behavior. My ex tried to manage my life under the guise of ‘protecting’ me! He tracked my car! He decided what was safe for me!”
Dominic stood completely still, taking the blow of her words without getting defensive. He saw the genuine trauma and fear in her eyes, and it gutted him.
“You’re right,” Dominic said softly.
Claire stopped, caught off guard by his immediate admission. “What?”
Dominic stepped back, giving her space. “You are completely right. I allowed my instincts to override your autonomy. In my world, threats are handled with immediate defense. But this is your life. I crossed a line that I had no right to cross. I apologize, Claire.”
He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and put it on speaker in front of her. He dialed Ethan.
“Cole,” Ethan answered.
“Pull the team off Miss Bennett’s detail immediately,” Dominic ordered. “Total withdrawal. No surveillance, no perimeter guards. Effective right now.”
“Dominic, are you sure? The Vargas situation—”
“Now, Ethan.”
“Understood.” The line went dead.
Dominic locked his phone and set it on the counter. He looked at Claire with deep, raw honesty. “The team is gone. You are in complete control of your life, Claire. I will never make a decision regarding your safety or your choices without your explicit consent again. If you want me to leave right now, I will.”
Claire stared at him. Her chest rose and fell. In her past relationship, an argument like this would have led to gaslighting, shouting, and manipulated guilt.
Instead, Dominic had listened, apologized without making excuses, and immediately corrected his actions to respect her boundaries.
Tears welled in Claire’s eyes. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.
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“Don't leave,” she whispered. “Just... talk to me. We are partners, Dominic. You have to trust me, and I have to trust you.”
Dominic wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her as if she were the most precious treasure on earth. “I promise you, Claire. I promise.”
