?Chapter 886:


    Dominic nodded, following my gaze, agreeing without a word.


    I rushed to the stall, purchased two steaming hot dogs, and returned to his imposing presence. I offered him one before sinking my teeth into mine.


    Who could have imagined that these tantalizing treats, glistening with such appetizing allure, would conceal such blistering heat? The searing sensation caught mepletely off guard.


    Dominic, ever observant, noticed my poorly concealed difort and chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Is it exceptionally hot?”


    A spark of mischief flickered within me, rekindling a fragment of my old self. I forced my expression into one of delight, despite the inferno raging in my mouth. “It’s absolutely divine. You really must try it.”


    He shot me a dubious nce but took a generous bite nheless.


    Like fine porcin cracking, hisposed facade shattered. His brows knitted tightly together, his noble features contorting with the unexpected heat.


    I erupted in genuineughter at his expression, doubling over as the joy spilled out uncontrobly.


    Dominic, realizing my little trick, wasn’t angry. He merely snorted with feigned indignation. “You dare deceive me?”


    I froze. The cold reality washed over me—I was no longer the Makenna who could share such carefree moments with him.


    “Your Highness, I didn’t mean to. Please forgive me.” My smile vanished, reced by hurried, anxious apologies.


    Dominic raised an eyebrow, regarding me with a curious half-smile. “Fine, your punishment is to continue apanying me.”


    “Okay…” I sighed in relief, reluctantly agreeing.


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    Without noticing, we had wandered to a small stone bridge.


    The water beneath flowed gently, its surface catching the light in silver ripples.


    As I watched this tranquil scene, the tension in my heart melted away, and a genuine smile found its way to my lips.


    “Makenna.”


    Just then, a familiar voice called out to me.


    Makenna’s POV:


    “Hmm? What’s up?”


    I instinctively responded, turning my head to meet Dominic’s suddenly darkened gaze—as oppressive and gloomy as storm clouds gathering on the horizon.


    Only then did the weight of my careless reply sink in, and my breath caught in my throat like a trapped butterfly.


    “I…” The words stumbled from my lips as I desperately scrambled for some way to erase my fatal mistake.


    But before I could weave together a usible excuse, Dominic had already closed the distance between us, his long fingers capturing my chin in a firm grip. His piercing green eyes bored into mine, leaving nowhere to hide as his voice fell, low and resolute. “You really are Makenna.”


    “Your Highness, what… what are you talking about? I have no idea what you’re referring to.” I clung to that sliver of hope like a drowning woman to driftwood, stubbornly denying the truth while feigning bewilderment.


    Yet Dominic’s eyes shed crimson in an instant, his usually impassive face now etched with raw pain and inner turmoil. Without warning, he pulled me into his arms with such fierce desperation, as if I might dissolve into mist at any moment.


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