Rebecca didn't knock.
She never felt the need to.
She stepped into Dominic's office that evening with the ease of someone who believed she belonged there.
"You should really change," she said lightly, settling into the chair opposite his desk. "There's a charity dinner tomorrow. Your mother thinks it's a good opportunity for us."
Dominic didn't look up from his documents.
"Us?" he repeated.
Rebecca smiled. "People expect it."
He closed the folder slowly.
"People expect many things," Dominic said. "I don't live to meet expectations."
Rebecca's smile faltered—just slightly.
"You don't have to be cold," she replied. "I'm only trying to help."
"I didn't ask for help," Dominic said evenly.
Silence fell.
Then Rebecca laughed softly. "You're still upset about the girl, aren't you?"
Dominic's eyes lifted.
"Which girl?" he asked.
Rebecca tilted her head. "Mira. She's sensitive. Easily misunderstood. But she's not really part of your world."
That was the moment.
Dominic stood.
"She is part of this family," he said calmly. "Whether you understand it or not."
Rebecca's expression stiffened. "I didn't mean—"
"You did," Dominic interrupted. His voice never rose. "And you won't speak about her like that again."
Rebecca searched his face, clearly startled.
"So that's how it is?" she asked quietly.
"That's how it has always been," Dominic replied.
---
From the hallway, Mira stood frozen.
She hadn't meant to listen.
She hadn't meant to hear her name spoken like a weakness.
Her chest tightened.
Then she heard Dominic's voice.
Clear.
Unyielding.
Protective.
She stepped back silently before anyone noticed her.
---
That night at dinner, the atmosphere was brittle.
Rebecca was polite.
Dominic was distant.
Mira's mother smiled too much.
When Mira excused herself early, Dominic didn't stop her.
He watched her leave with an unreadable expression.
---
Later, Aaron entered Dominic's office.
"She'll be leaving tomorrow," Aaron said quietly. "Rebecca."
Dominic nodded once. "Good."
Aaron hesitated. "You did the right thing."
Dominic leaned back, eyes closing briefly.
"I know."
---
In her room, Mira touched the bracelet on her wrist.
For the first time, she wondered—
When did he start seeing me?