<h4>Chapter 752: Keep your heart warm</h4>


    Dominick picked up his phone and instinctively dialed Evan’s number. His thumb hovered over the screen as the call began to connect.


    But before the first ring could even go through, he ended the call.


    "I shouldn’t disturb him," he murmured to himself.


    He ced the phone back on the stand beside his bed and leaned back, finally allowing himself to feel thefort of his room after so long. The familiar surroundings brought a brief sense of calm.


    But it didn’tst.


    His thoughts drifted to Jeniva.


    The moment her name crossed his mind, he sat up slightly. Without wasting another second, he reached for his phone again and dialed her number.


    The call connected and, Dominick waited for her voice to be heard. He wanted to make sure that she arrived safely at her home.


    Just as he was about to assume she might not pick up, the call connected.


    "Hello?" Jeniva’s voice came through the line. She ced her duffle bag on the table and brushed away her hair from the temples of her forehead.


    "Have you reached home?" Dominick asked, his voice softer than usual.


    "Yes," Jeniva replied, settling onto the edge of her bed. "I just got in."


    She adjusted her posture slightly before asking,


    "When did you reach the pce?"


    "About an hour ago," Dominick said. "I was with my brothers."


    "Oh..." Jeniva responded. "That’s good." There was a small pause before she added, "Are they all doing well? Your mother must have been really happy to see you after so long."


    A faint warmth entered Dominick’s tone. "She was," he said. "Mom is very happy."


    Then his voice turned a little more serious, almost protective. "You must be tired. Get some rest... And don’t skip your meals."


    Jeniva smiled faintly at his concern, even though he couldn’t see it. "Yes, Your Highness," she said lightly. "You should get some rest too."


    A brief silence followed. "I’ll hang up now," she added softly.


    "Alright," Dominick replied, and the call ended.


    Dominick slowly lowered the phone and ced it beside him. The room fell quiet suddenly.


    "It must be lonely for her," he murmured to himself.


    Hey back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Despite thefort of his room, sleep didn’te.


    His mind kept circling back, to her voice, her presence, the way things had changed between them. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get a wink of sleep.


    As the silence of the room deepened, Dominick’s thoughts began to drift again, this time toward Gabriel’s words.


    They echoed in his mind, making him realize he couldn’t deny the wrong he did to Juniper anymore.


    He had failed, not just as a man, but as a mate.


    "Yes... I told her we weren’t right for each other," he murmured to himself, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.


    That part had been true. But it wasn’t the whole truth.


    "It began with me," he admitted.


    He had always assumed that whatever decision he made would be epted by Juniper, that she would simply understand, adjust, and follow along.


    And perhaps she had thought the same, that things would somehow work out when she would keep that lie about her between them. She might have thought he would forgive her just because they were in love with each other and were the fated mates.


    "But thest time we met, I was harsh on her," he whispered, making him feel guilty.


    He stared nkly at the ceiling, unable to look away from his own thoughts.


    For the first time, he truly saw it from a distance.


    The way he had spoken, the way he had ended things, and the way he had dismissed her was never right.


    "I didn’t respect her, not the way I should have," he admitted under his breath.


    Even if things were meant to end, even if they weren’t right for each other, he should have given her dignity.


    "If nothing else, I should have let her go with respect."


    A frown appeared on his forehead as he felt he made a mistake that defined his identity as a man too.


    ~~~~~


    Gabriel lowered the towel onto a chair and walked toward the zer he had removed earlier before going to the washroom. Slipping his hand into the pocket, he pulled out his phone and dialed Carlos’s number.


    The call rang, but there was no response. A faint frown appeared on his face.


    "I don’t understand what’s going on with him anymore," Gabriel murmured.


    Even though Carlos had told him what was troubling him, his concern had only deepened.


    His thoughts drifted back to Carlos’s words.


    ’If he doesn’t follow his destiny, he will lose someone dear to him.’


    Gabriel’s jaw tightened slightly.


    "Who is he going to lose..." he whispered.


    A sense of unease settled in his chest.


    ’Should I talk to Cynthia?’ he wondered. ’She was once the Moon Goddess, she might know a way around this.’


    His thoughts grew heavier.


    ’Why would the deities impose such a fate on someone who doesn’t even want to be a part of it?’


    A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.


    Gabriel turned toward it.


    Raidan stood there, holding Noah in his arms, the child fast asleep.


    "Dad," Gabriel said, walking toward him.


    "Noah is asleep," Raidan said softly as he passed the boy to him.


    Gabriel carefully took Noah and walked to the crib, gently cing him inside.


    "You could have sent a servant," Gabriel said.


    Raidan shook his head.


    "I wanted toe myself."


    He stepped closer and ced his hands on Gabriel’s arms.


    "Are you happy, Gabriel?" His voice was soft, filled with concern. "I know I ask you this every time we meet," Raidan continued. "But I can’t help worrying about you."


    Gabriel looked at him, a faint smile touching his lips. "What do you think, Dad?" he asked gently.


    "I suppose you are happier," Raidan said with a wide smile. "No matter what Gabriel, you’re very dear to me. Ever since you were born in this family, you became the dearest child to me."


    Gabriel smiled. "Thanks, Dad, for always being there." He hugged his father and continued, "If in this family, I ever felt belonging, then it was because of you. I had my own faults, but you always poured your love on me. And I feel blessed that you never let me feel low."


    Raidan caressed his back and gently patted it. "I always wanted you to be happy. Ever since the witch brainwashed your mother. I’m just happy that you’re doing so well ever since finding your mate. Just keep your heart warm. Everything will go well. Trust the Moon Goddess and the fate bestowed upon you."


    Thest statement made Gabriel feel nostalgic. It felt to him that he somehow got the answers to Carlos’ confusion.


    "Sure, Dad."