Chapter 97

DOMINIC’S POV After I dropped the kids off and made sure their spirits had lifted, I watched them walk toward the house, their small forms hand in hand, talking softly to James. Olivia didn’t come to the door. Again. My heart ached more than I wanted to admit. Of course, their date is the reason she didn’t come out. The moment I was alone, a loud growl erupted from my chest and echoed inside the car. I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. I tried to keep it in, tried to reason, tried to be better. But I wasn’t. I couldn't stop picturing her with him. Derek. Her “safe” choice. Her perfect alternative to the man who had shattered her trust. Derek. He didn’t lie. He didn’t cheat fate. He didn’t choose prophecy over her. He was stable. Kind. He didn’t carry the weight of a kingdom or the burden of regret. He probably never made her cry herself to sleep, never looked into her eyes and turned away. Unlike me. Yes, she deserves the best. I’ll never deny her that. But why