radicalducati Chapter 102
Chapter 102
The space in the room was already small, and Alessia's and Dominic's eyes met unexpectedly, then awkwardly looked away.
Just moments ago, it didn't feel hot outside, but now, with the air conditioning blowing in the room, it felt even hotter.
Something had to be done to break this awkward atmosphere.
Alessia pursed her lips and took Eleanor's hand, "Elle, Mommy will wash your face for you."
Eleanor looked up at Dominic, then at Alessia, blinking her big eyes.
She always felt that Daddy and Mommy were acting strange, but as long as they could be together, it didn't matter!
Eleanor playfully bit her finger and asked her mommy, "Mommy, can't Daddy wash his face with us?"
Washing faces together was just like taking a bath together in her ears. Of course, she couldn't wash her face with Dominic...
Alessia's eyes flickered, subconsciously not wanting to be the bad guy in front of her daughter. Instead of giving a clear yes or no, she passed the buck.
"Ask Daddy, Elle!"
Upon hearing this, Eleanor didn't hesitate and immediately turned to Dominic with joy, "Daddy, can you?"
Dominic's lips tightened slightly, seeing through Alessia's scheme. He didn't want to be the bad guy in front of his daughter either. Whoever dug the pit would bear the consequences.
He smirked, casting a meaningful glance at Alessia before gently patting Eleanor's cheek.
"Sure, as long as your mommy agrees."
That was kicking the ball right back at her.
Despicable!
Alessia froze for a moment, glaring at Dominic, coincidentally seen by Eleanor who turned back.
Eleanor instantly dropped her eyelids in disappointment, "Mommy, are you upset? Mommy, you don't want to wash my face with Daddy, right? but I am a little scared and want Mommy and Daddy to be with me."
Alessia's expression stiffened momentarily. Her little daughter was relatively frail, and being kidnapped had surely stirred up her emotions.
But washing faces with Dominic was too weird, so she couldn't be the bad guy in this.
Alessia picked up her daughter and explained, "You misunderstood, I am not upset. I just think your daddy is a bit of a neat freak, he might not want to wash his face with us."
"Daddy, do you dislike Elle?" Eleanor immediately looked at Dominic again.
Successfully passing the ball again, Alessia breathed a sigh of relief.
Now it was Dominic's turn to stiffen. The bathroom was even smaller than the room, and squeezing three people inside would be uncomfortable, plus he really did have a germophobia.
But how could he disappoint his daughter?
Alessia was good.
Neither ex-wife nor ex-husband wanted to be the bad guy in front of their daughter. Going back and forth, Dominic raised his eyebrows, taking the initiative.
He picked up Elle and passed by Alessia, heading straight to the bathroom, soothing his daughter as he went, "Daddy is a bit of a neat freak, but daddy likes Elle. Daddy will wash your face, Elle."
Alessia stood still, unsure whether to go in or out.
The already small bathroom seemed even narrower with Dominic inside.
If she went in, wouldn't they be too close?
"Mommy, come in quickly! Oh, Mommy, why is your face so red!" Elle, after Dominic washed her face with a new towel, felt refreshed. When she saw Alessia hesitating, she curiously tilted her head.
Red-faced?
Alessia panicked, almost instinctively covering her cheeks. She couldn't let Dominic see she was embarrassed, otherwise, with his self-loving personality, who knows what he'd think of her.
"I just feel too hot, don't you feel it, Elle?" Alessia asked seriously.
"Hot? It's quite cool in the room." Elle didn't cooperate at all, looking around and then stepping out of the bathroom, pushing Alessia inside and saying obediently, "Mommy, I am done washing, you go in and clean yourself with Daddy! You can take your time."
After Elle finished speaking, she considerately closed the bathroom door.
This little one wasn't afraid anymore!
Alessia took a deep breath, looking up to see Dominic holding a towel, watching her with a playful expression.
Dominic hadn't spoken yet, but Alessia reflexively felt she knew what he was going to say.
She preempted, her voice chilly, "I have no thoughts about you. I'm just not used to being in the same space with a stranger."
"Oh!" Dominic responded coldly, then his deep, dark eyes, like a deep pool, glanced sideways at Alessia, mocking, "Miss La Rosa is indeed unique, calling a man who has had three children with her a stranger. Does Miss La Rosa treat every stranger with such warmth?"
"I haven't!" Alessia paused for a moment, knowing Dominic's sharp tongue, but she wouldn't let anyone trample over her.
She looked back and asked, "Mr. Carter, have you ever heard the expression: 'A good ex is like a ghost.' Mr. Carter, pretending to be a ghost after the relationship ends feels strange to me."
Engaging in this tit-for-tat banter with Alessia, Dominic was momentarily stunned.
His gaze wandered as he recalled his youth.
Back then, he had met a netizen on a forum. They hit it off well, sharing not only an interest in hacking but also endless topics to discuss.
She could cut him down with words just like Alessia did, without holding back.
It was a pity that Niagara escarpment had stood her up, and he had cut off all contact with her completely afterward.
A tinge of regret flashed in Dominic's eyes, and unusually, he didn't bother to argue with Alessia further.
He reached out his long arm and picked up a new towel from the shelf, handing it to Alessia. "I'm done cleaning myself. You should clean up and rest early. I'll drive in the afternoon."
Dominic's sudden gentlemanly behavior made Alessia hesitate for a moment.
Dominic's cold-blooded ruthlessness was in the business world, but privately, he was, strictly speaking, a charming gentleman. Otherwise, he wouldn't attract so many socialites and young ladies in Toronto.
However, his gentlemanly side had never been directed at her.
In all the years she had been married to him, had she ever longed for it?
Alessia thought carefully for a moment, and yes, there had been times.
Despite her cold demeanor, when she lost all her memories and had no one to rely on, she still wanted companionship, to get a little closer to her nominal husband, to be a bit closer.
But he never gave her that chance.
Alessia smiled faintly. She wasn't someone who dwelled on the past. What's done is done.
"Thank you," Alessia said coldly and distantly, stepping aside to let Dominic leave first.
Dominic nodded slightly and walked past her without stopping.
In the end, the road was too narrow, the ground too slippery.
As they passed each other, even though Alessia had held her breath and tried to shrink herself as much as possible, it was inevitable that she would touch Dominic's skin.
Seeing Dominic slip and fall backward, Alessia hesitated for a moment.
Let him be conceited and fall to his death.
But then she thought better of it.
If Dominic really fell badly in the bathroom, she couldn't just stand by and watch in front of her daughter.
In the end, it would only waste her time.
Alessia reached out to pull Dominic, but before her fingertips touched him, she saw Dominic exert force with his legs, using the strength of his waist to stand up again.
Just as Alessia breathed a sigh of relief, she saw Dominic's elbow exerting force, a long and powerful hand placed on her waist, swapping positions with her forcefully and pressing her against the wall.
It happened in an instant, and by the time Alessia reacted, it was too late.
Before her was Dominic's solid and powerful chest.
The space was too small, and Alessia couldn't push Dominic away.
Alessia asked angrily, "Dominic, are you trying to repay kindness with ingratitude?"
Dominic stared straight at her and corrected her, "You're wrong. I'm not repaying kindness with ingratitude. This is punishment for your indifference when seeing someone in danger."
Alessia raised an eyebrow, surprised that Dominic had seen through her thoughts. But she didn't panic. She scoffed, "You deserve it. Who told you to plot against me earlier?"
"Didn't you plot against me first? At that time, you clearly didn't want me to wash my face with you. If you had refused Elle directly, I wouldn't be here now."
Dominic was quite serious, his voice sexy and magnetic as he argued with Alessia.
Alessia sneered, "Then why didn't you refuse when our daughter asked you?"
"Huh!" Dominic sneered, staring at Alessia's face. "The old saying is true. No matter what kind of woman, when resorting to despicable means, they all resort to dirty tricks."
"Do you believe I'll bite you?" Alessia was annoyed, grinding her perfectly white teeth.
"Do you believe I'll pull out your teeth?" Dominic retorted, the light in his eyes growing darker, like a tempting black hole.
"Then do it." Alessia tilted her head back, her porcelain face seeming to glow.
Dominic's Adam's apple bobbed, his slender and jade-like fingers unceremoniously lifted, landing on Alessia's silky cheek.
***