Chapter 53. Beneath the Facade

Victoria’s POV

Dominic’s hand never left my waist as we lingered near the bar. His steady grip, the weight of his touch, was both grounding and suffocating. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to lean into it or push him away.

The truth was, I didn’t know how to feel about anything right now—especially not him.

“Dominic,” I said quietly, gathering my courage. “Thank you for stepping in earlier, but… it really wasn’t necessary.”

His head turned sharply, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a piercing intensity that made me swallow hard. “You’re thanking me?” he asked, his voice low but laced with an edge I couldn’t place.

“Yes,” I replied, keeping my tone polite and steady. “But, like I said, it wasn’t necessary. I’m not… I’m not hurt by what they said. Not anymore.”

His jaw tightened at my words, and his gaze darkened. “Not anymore?” he repeated, as if testing the weight of the phrase.

I nodded, trying to maintain my composure under his scr