Chapter 198: You two are too loud

In the end, Dominic had no choice but to bring the puppy home.

However, the moment he stepped inside with Clara and the little pup, everyone’s attention was immediately drawn to their new guest.

"Aww... he’s so cute!" one of the maids exclaimed, unable to take her eyes off him. "He looks just like a little ball of cotton candy!"

Even Butler James was instantly smitten.

"Master, should we prepare a doghouse for him?" he asked, glancing at Dominic.

Dominic’s expression remained calm.

"No need. He won’t be staying here for long. Just get him a comfortable bed for now."

James nodded.

"Of course, Master."

What Dominic didn’t realize was that the moment he agreed to bring the puppy home, he had already made a terrible mistake.

He had fallen for his sweet wife’s pleading far too easily.

And now he was regretting it.

Not once during the entire drive home had Clara looked at him. Not once. All her attention had been directed toward the puppy sitting happily in her lap.

She had spent the entire journey petting him, talking to him, and occasionally showering him with kisses.

Dominic, meanwhile, had been sitting beside her like an ignored passenger.

Now, even after reaching home, nothing had changed.

"Are you hungry?" Clara cooed at the puppy. "Do you want something to eat?"

Dominic slowly turned his head toward her.

There she was, smiling at the puppy as though he were the most precious thing in the world.

[Why did I agree to bring him home?] His gaze narrowed slightly. [He’s already taken all of my wife’s attention.]

Clara caught the faint change in his expression but quickly looked away to hide her smile.

She knew exactly what was going through his mind. Still, she deliberately continued playing with the puppy.

Dominic sighed inwardly. [Unbelievable. I’ve been replaced by a dog]

After making sure the puppy was well-fed and comfortable, Clara finally stood up. Only then did she remember that her husband had been standing there the entire time.

"Dom..."

Dominic looked at her. She smiled sweetly.

"Did you want something?" He stared at her.

"Nothing."

Clara bit back a laugh. She had a feeling having this puppy around was going to be much more entertaining than she expected.

***

By the time the puppy had been put to sleep, Clara went for a quick shower. A few minutes later, she walked back into the room and climbed onto Dominic’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Upset?" she asked softly.

Dominic looked at her with a serious expression.

[Yes, I am. My wife ignored me the entire time. Of course I’m upset.]

Clara couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

She knew she hadn’t gotten the chance to properly appreciate Dominic for everything he had done for her tonight. He might have been standing quietly on the sidelines throughout the entire ordeal, but she had finally come to realize that he had been protecting her all along.

And despite everything that had unfolded tonight, there was one thing she couldn’t deny.

He had made it happen.

He had kept his promise to her.

"You know, I really didn’t get the chance to thank you for tonight," she said, looking at Dominic affectionately.

In her past life, Clara had never been good at expressing gratitude. She had always taken the people around her for granted, too proud and stubborn to acknowledge the things they did for her.

But this time, she wanted to be different.

She wanted Dominic to know exactly what she was thinking instead of keeping everything bottled up inside.

Dominic stared at her for a moment. The softness in her voice slowly eased the irritation he had been holding onto. His tense shoulders relaxed, and the seriousness in his eyes faded slightly.

"That’s my job as your husband," he replied.

The corner of Clara’s lips curled upward.

"I know. But I still want to thank you."

Dominic raised an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"For everything." Clara’s fingers gently brushed the back of his neck. "You didn’t have to do all of that for me, but you did."

Dominic looked at her quietly.

"I told you I’d protect you."

"I know."

"And I meant it."

Her smile softened.

"I know that too."

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Clara simply looked at him, realizing how much she had changed.

She had once been reckless, rude, and far too proud to distinguish between what was good for her and what wasn’t. But everything she had experienced had forced her to open her eyes.

Now, she could finally see the people who genuinely cared about her.

And among them, Dominic stood right in front of her.

Perhaps that was why she no longer wanted to take him for granted.

She leaned closer and rested her forehead against his.

"Thank you, Dominic."

His expression finally softened. But the next second, Dominic suddenly flipped her onto the mattress and leaned closer.

"This isn’t how you thank your husband," he murmured.

Clara blinked, then the corner of her lips curled into a playful smile.

"Then how am I supposed to thank you?"

Dominic’s eyes held hers, a teasing glint appearing in them.

"I think you know."

Clara let out a quiet laugh before slowly cupping his face with both hands.

"Maybe I do."

The next second, Dominic leaned closer and captured her lips in a gentle kiss.

The couple had barely gotten a chance to settle into another intimate moment when a sudden bark startled them both.

They froze.

Dominic slowly turned his head toward the puppy, who was now wide awake and staring at them from his spot.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The puppy let out another impatient bark, his expression almost accusatory.

Dominic stared at him before narrowing his eyes.

"Seriously?"

Clara covered her mouth, trying desperately not to laugh.

The puppy barked again, as if making his complaint perfectly clear.

"You two are too loud. I’m trying to sleep."

Dominic sighed and glanced at Clara.

"Your puppy has terrible timing."

Clara finally burst into laughter.

"Looks like someone doesn’t approve of us tonight."