Dominic's throat constricted, his voice hoarse, as if facing a long-avoided illness hidden within himself, and today, he finally resolved to eradicate it.
"Do you remember the summer of the second year after my father left home, when you suddenly decided to divorce Grandpa? I heard your argument in the room that day."
Madam Carter's clasped hands paused, her eyes filled with surprise. The next moment, it seemed like she understood everything.
Despite her well-preserved appearance and youthful face, Madam Carter's expression was filled with heartache and self-blame.
"Is that why you've avoided relationships all these years?"
Parents are a child's best teachers. Her disobedient son was notorious for his philandering ways, and when Dominic was young, he was closest to his grandfather. Their marriage had left him disillusioned with love.
Dominic remained silent, looking more like he was confirming.
Madam Carter's heart was in turmoil. She wanted to hug Dominic, but she didn't. Instead of rushing to comfort him verbally, she looked into his eyes seriously.
"So, your previous rejection of Alessia wasn't because you didn't like her, but because of the argument between Grandpa and me?"
"Yes, because she's that person's granddaughter," Dominic didn't deny it, gazing through the light at the open window.
Madam Carter took a deep breath, suppressing some emotion. "And now? Why have you changed your mind?"
Dominic shifted his gaze back, looking at Old Lady Carter's eyes, and replied responsibly, "Because I've realized that Alessia is Alessia. She's not related to anyone, and she shouldn't be implicated by anyone. After all, she's lost her memory, so how could she have learned bad habits from her grandfather?"
Madam Carter opened her mouth, then smiled.
Her grandson had always been rigorous in his actions. His reasons sounded childish, but in reverse, it just proved that he had feelings for Alessia. That's why he was willing to make excuses for her, even if they were immature.
"Dom, I am happy that you've faced your inner feelings. After learning about your intentions, there are some things I need to tell you for them to have more meaning."
Curiosity sparkled in Dominic's eyes.
Old Lady Carter went to the cabinet and retrieved a photo, handing it to Dominic.
The photo was precisely the one Old Lady Carter had taken with Alessia's grandfather, Victor La Rosa back then. They were both young, their faces brimming with youthful smiles.
Dominic's face changed as he took the photo.
Ignoring his change in expression, Old Lady Carter continued, "Before I married your grandfather, I did have feelings for Victor. He was a very charming man, and I was very happy with him. But at the same time, he was someone who loved to play, completely unsuitable for marriage. So for the sake of the family, I eventually married your grandfather. But, Dom..."
Old Lady Carter paused here, her expression serious. "I can assure you, Dom, that after I married your grandfather, I cut off all contact with Victor. I fell completely in love with your grandfather after we got married."
"So what I heard back then was just a misunderstanding?" Dominic found it hard to believe.
Old Lady Carter nodded, giving him a definite answer. "That's right. I was too proud back then. When your grandfather misunderstood, I felt that he didn't trust me and didn't want to explain."
Old Lady Carter's eyes showed a tinge of nostalgia, missing her deceased husband. She smiled with a hint of regret. "Dom, if I had known that my pride back then would leave you with psychological shadows, I would have explained it to your grandfather properly."
Dominic fell silent, staring at the photo in his hand. Finally, he handed it back to Old Lady Carter. "Then what about this photo?"
Old Lady Carter took the photo and looked at it calmly.
"I kept this photo as a memento. Your grandfather knew about it too. If I really had ulterior motives, I wouldn't have left it out in the open. The day I heard about Victor leaving because of some trouble, I was worried. When I was packing, I saw this photo and sighed a few words. I didn't expect your grandfather to see it."
Dominic's doubts vanished upon hearing this. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
As he became increasingly concerned about Alessia, he had struggled with himself countless times.
In the end, he hadn't overcome himself, but he decided to betray his grandfather. However, he still felt guilty.
But now, everything was better. He felt relieved.
Old Lady Carter looked at Dominic's smiling expression and felt very satisfied with the outcome of their conversation, and Dominic seemed to be as well.
Now that the knot in his heart had been untied and Victor had been mentioned, Dominic wanted to ask a few more questions.
"Grandma, do you really not know where Grandpa Victor is?"
"It's true that I don't know," Madam Carter shook her head. "But he said that he would reappear when there's no longer any danger around him."
"So you mean, his disappearance for so many years has indeed been because of some trouble?" Dominic fell into thought.
Madam Carter didn't deny it. "When he left Alessia in our house, it was actually to protect her. It was I who was too impatient and insisted on having you two get married."
After leaving Old Lady Carter's room, Dominic's emotions became complicated, especially when that evening, Alessia and he both stayed in the old house.
When they met again, the complex emotions in their hearts reached their peak.
In the living room, under the orange light, Alessia had just poured a glass of warm water when Dominic appeared with a cup in his hand.
As she was about to turn away, Dominic suddenly looked at her and spoke, "I'm sorry!"
"Huh?" Alessia, holding the water cup, was stunned.
Dominic, such an arrogant and narcissistic person, was apologizing to her? If she hadn't been sure she hadn't misheard, she would have doubted her own ears.
Alessia, who had just showered, was wearing ordinary home clothes, her hair loose behind her head. Besides the scent of shower gel, there was nothing else on her body, clean, refreshing, and pleasant smelling.
Dominic recognized the home clothes Alessia was wearing. They were the ones she had left in the old house before they divorced. They now hung loosely on her, obviously much thinner than many years ago.
Dominic felt a pang of heartache and reached out to brush away the hair covering Alessia's cheeks. Looking into her face, he explained his emotions openly.
"I'm sorry for marrying you and then neglecting you. I'm sorry for making you leave the Carter family. When you were pregnant with the children, you must have been very scared."
He remembered Alessia saying that when she was pregnant, she was chased by someone, and Christopher was also lost because of being chased.
When Alessia said this back then, he was still skeptical, but Grandma's words confirmed that Alessia wasn't lying.
Someone wanted to harm Alessia. Victor left Alessia in the Carter family because he wanted to protect her.
"Why are you suddenly saying this? These things are all in the past." Dominic was too close, making Alessia uncomfortable.
Dominic's actions just now had been too sudden; she hadn't had time to avoid them.
Alessia stepped back, a clear gesture of resistance.
Seeing Alessia's reaction, Dominic thought of what Grandma had just said-he still had to work hard on remarrying her.
A bitter smile appeared on Dominic's lips, and he took a step back again.
If Alessia was uncomfortable, then he would give her the space she needed.
As Grandma had said when leaving the room, as a man, he should take the initiative to pursue. Although Alessia liked him, he still needed to give her enough sense of security and let her enjoy the pleasure of being pursued.
Dominic took a deep breath and awkwardly said, "Alessia, I've made up my mind. I want to formally pursue you."
"Huh...?" Alessia furrowed her brows, her big almond eyes filled with confusion. Dominic's emotions changed too quickly; she seemed to have fallen behind.
"Don't look at me like that. My attitude towards you changed when we were playing games on the X Hill. Until after the lab dinner, I was completely sure of my feelings. I had reservations before, but when the accident happened and you were almost hurt, I suddenly felt that those reservations were insignificant compared to you. You don't need to respond to me hastily; I'm just informing you of my feelings. I love you," he wasn't confessing; he wasn't in a hurry to be with her. He was just informing her.
Such a domineering tone.
Alessia felt that Dominic wasn't confessing; he was negotiating a business deal.
***