Chapter 152: Chapter 152
Dominic helped Celeste wash up when she woke again. His hands were steady, and careful, like he was handling the most fragile porcelain, though she teased him once or twice that she wasn’t going to shatter just because he dabbed her skin too gently.
He didn’t answer her teasing. He only gave that look — the one that was part warning, part devotion, and completely Dominic.
She hadn’t asked anything yet. Not about how long she’d been in coma. Not about what happened. And not even about who did it, snd what he was going to do.
The silence wasn’t heavy between them, though. It was a peace he didn’t dare break. He wasn’t going to drown her in truths, not now. He wasn’t going to hand her the weight he’d carried while she was gone. If she didn’t ask, he wasn’t going to tell. At least, not today.
Dominic had just finished helping Celeste wash up when Rodger walked in carrying a small glass tank. Inside, a single goldfish darted through the water, its tail catching the light.
Celeste’s eyes shot up instantly. Her whole face transformed, and the dull fatigue lifted into something more bright and alive.
If she looked happier before, she looked energetic the moment she saw the goldfish. Strength immediately rushed into her.
"Hi, Celeste." Rodger smiled at her.
"Hey, Rodger." She smiled back. "Thank you for being here."
Rodger nodded, smiled one more time, and left the room.
Dominic’s lips tugged into a faint smile. He stood and took the tank from Rodger, then turned, presenting it to her with a quiet ceremony. "Happy birthday, Celeste."
Her mouth opened in surprise, and then she broke into a smile that looked too big for her weak frame. She reached for it eagerly.
"Careful," Dominic said, his voice low and soft but edged with warning.
Celeste didn’t listen. She took the tank from him, cradling it close to her chest. "Hi, buddy," she whispered, her voice hoarse but threaded with warmth, like she was greeting an old friend.
Her eyes stayed on the fish, never flicking back to Dominic. "I didn’t even realize today was my birthday," she murmured, wondering, softening her tone as the glass reflected in her glittering eyes.
"It is, mademoiselle," Dominic said, a faint tease in his voice. "Waking up on your birthday—that’s significant."
Celeste’s lips curved, her gaze still fixed on the little creature darting through the water. "Guess it’s not so bad after all," she whispered. Then, softer, almost to herself: "Especially with this little friend of mine."
Amara, perched on the bed beside her, let out a sudden giggle. It turned into a laugh, as she quickly covered her lips with the back of her palm.
Celeste froze, whipping her head toward her. "No way. You told him?" Her voice sharpened with mock betrayal, her eyes wide. Amara laugh already gave her out.
Also, the gold fish for a gift was suspicious. Dominic wasn’t the kind to do that. He’d rather buy a whole country than an annoying pet.
Amara’s lips pressed together, but her laughter betrayed her. She nodded faintly, her shoulders shaking. "We were talking about it before you woke up. I had to tell him. He needed something to hold on to."
Celeste’s cheeks flushed pink. She turned slowly back to Dominic, narrowing her eyes. "Unbelievable." She pinched her nose, and shook her head. "You didn’t have to rub it on my face immediately."
Dominic didn’t flinch. He stood with his arms loosely crossed, watching her with a his usual calm affection whenever he saw satisfaction on her expression, or from her body language. "You’re welcome," he said simply.
Celeste blinked at him, then at the goldfish swimming lazy circles, then back at him again. The flush in her cheeks deepened.
"Don’t let him trick you with that face," Amara said, nudging Celeste’s arm lightly. "He’s been a nightmare these past days. You should’ve seen him pacing these halls, and room like a ghost."
"Amara," Dominic’s voice dropped, his eyes cutting to her with a warning.
Amara only smirked, unbothered. She even shrugged her shoulders, as if letting the sharpness from his voice drop from her shoulder.
Celeste lowered her eyes to the fish tank, hiding her smile. "Still," she murmured, her fingers tracing the glass, "it’s perfect."
The words landed heavier than she meant, and for a moment the room went quiet except for the steady beep of the monitor.
Dominic’s jaw tightened. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. He couldn’t even express how much he had missed her.
Amara leaned her chin on Celeste’s shoulder, peering at the goldfish. "What are you going to name him?"
The question came out, sounding so necessary like they were about to name an actual baby.
Celeste tilted her head, considering. She looked really responsible doing that. "Umm, Levi," she said finally, with a small grin.
Amara laughed under her breath. "Of course."
Dominic exhaled through his nose, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Figures."
Celeste finally glanced up at him, her smile tugging wider. "Don’t tell me you’re jealous of a fish."
Dominic raised a brow, silent.
Amara covered her mouth, muffling her laugh, her shoulders shaking harder now.
Celeste’s eyes softened as she looked back at the tank. Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. "It feels good. Having something new. Something alive."
Amara’s smile faltered into something gentler. She reached for Celeste’s hand and squeezed it.
Dominic didn’t move, but his throat worked as he swallowed. He kept his arms crossed, but his eyes never left her.
Celeste let out a soft laugh, trying to cut the heaviness. She tapped the glass lightly. "Welcome home, Levi."
Levi swam in lazy circles, as if hearing his introduction. His tail flashed gold beneath the light. Celeste’s grin widened as though the tiny fish was already her confidant, her joy spilling into the sterile room like sunlight.
Dominic finally uncrossed his arms and sank into the chair beside her bed. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, but his eyes remained fixed on her face. He didn’t look at the fish. Not once. He loved to live in every moment of happiness through her.
Celeste noticed, of course. "You don’t like him," she accused softly, side-eyeing him over the glass.
Dominic raised a brow, his face unreadable. "It’s a fish. My feeling is neutral."
Amara snorted, pressing her fist against her lips.
Celeste gasped in mock offense, hugging the tank closer. "Excuse me, he has a name. Levi." She corrected.
Dominic’s mouth curved up just slightly. It was not enough to call it a smile. "Levi," he repeated, like the name itself was beneath his dignity.
Celeste narrowed her eyes, fighting her own laugh. "You’re impossible." She tilted the tank so Levi swam toward Dominic’s direction. "Say hi to him. Just once. For me."
Amara nearly choked holding back laughter.
Dominic’s gaze flicked. First at Celeste’s pleading eyes, and then at the ridiculous little goldfish hovering in his direction. He exhaled through his nose, slow and deliberate, and muttered, "Hi."
Amara burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
Celeste grinned triumphantly. Her usual kind of grin that softened her whole face and made her glow. "See? Was that so hard?"
Dominic gave her a look that promised retribution later, but she only smiled wider, knowing she’d won.
For a moment, everything felt normal. Like the world outside hadn’t nearly stolen her away.
Celeste’s thumb traced lazy circles over the glass. "You know," she whispered, "this is the first birthday gift I’ve ever gotten that wasn’t jewelry or something expensive. Just... small. Alive. Simple."
Her words hung in the air. They were delicate but heavy.
Dominic’s eyes softened, even if his expression stayed still. He didn’t say what he wanted to — that nothing, not diamonds, not even kingdoms, could compare to seeing her smile like this. That he would’ve bought the whole ocean with goldfishes in it, if it meant her laughter would fill the room like it did now.
Instead, he reached forward, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. His thumb lingered against her temple. "Then it’s the right gift."
Celeste’s lips curved, tender and quiet. She tilted her head slightly into his touch.
Amara cleared her throat loudly, pretending to fan herself. "Okay, okay. I’ll leave you two before I drown in the romance." She stood, straightening her sweater. "Besides, Levi and I have to have a private chat about how to survive with Dominic lurking around and you asleep."
Celeste laughed. "Be nice to him," she scolded.
Amara winked and kissed Celeste’s cheek before heading toward the door. She looked back once, her smile softer now. "Happy birthday, Cee."
When the door closed, the room quieted. The goldfish swam lazy circles again, the monitor beeped steady, and Dominic’s presence pressed warm and solid beside her.
Celeste rested the tank carefully on the side table, then leaned back against the pillows. Her hand found Dominic’s without asking. Their fingers laced, his larger hand engulfing hers.
She knew there was a lot of things he wasn’t telling her, but she also didn’t want to force everything out of him. He’d gently let them out, when he was ready.