Submitting to my Ex Uncle-Chapter 229

Bonus Chapter for my privilege readers. Thank you so much 💓

.....

Dominic typed a few things on his phone, while Celeste stood before the dressing mirror.

She ran a hand through her hair, the strands catching faintly between her fingers. Her reflection stared back, steady but uncertain.

The soft fabric of her robe brushed her knees as she shifted. She could feel the weight of something pressing at the edges of her chest.

She picked up her phone, texted Amara, and returned it back to the table.

"Dominic?"

He didn’t look up at first. His thumb swiped once more over his phone screen before his gaze lifted to her back.

"Hm?"

"How about Elias?" she asked. Her voice was barely louder than the hum of the air conditioner. "What would you do with him?"

Dominic’s gaze didn’t move from her. For a second, his silence was almost too much. His jaw tensed slightly. The faint line between his brows deepened.

He didn’t speak.

Celeste turned around, resting both palms against the edge of the dressing table. The marble felt cool under her skin. "Dominic."

His voice came after a beat. Steady, low, and deliberate. "Nothing. I won’t do anything to him if he doesn’t do what he isn’t supposed to."

Celeste shut her eyes for a brief second. Then she exhaled. "He told her everything himself. She’s broken right now."

Dominic’s expression softened slightly. He placed his phone down on the nightstand and parted his arms slightly, inviting her closer. "Come here, baby." he murmured. "We should think about cleaning up and getting ready for dinner. You haven’t eaten much all day. I want you to eat."

"Dominic, listen."

"I’m listening," he said, sitting up a little straighter. "You have my full attention. I just want you to eat."

Her fingers curled. She unclenched them again. Her voice came out quieter when her lips parted. "Alright then."

She turned away and walked toward the bathroom. The soft sound of her feet on the floor felt louder than it should have.

Dominic noticed the shift in her body language, and movement.

"I’m sorry, sweetheart," he said behind her, his tone low. "I know you’re mad."

"I’m not mad," she said, tiredly, closing the luxurious glass door behind her.

The room was filled with the sound of water running after a while.

After her bath, Celeste leaned against the marble counter, staring down at the sink. Her hands trembled slightly as she turned the faucet on.

The water splashed cool against her fingers. She wasn’t even sure what she was doing anymore, whether she wanted to wash her face or steady her breathing.

A tear slid down, quiet and hot, tracing the curve of her cheek. She wiped it away quickly.

She looked at herself again in the mirror.

How was she supposed to say it?

She’d rehearsed the words in her head too many times already; I think I’m pregnant. However, they didn’t sound real yet. They still scared her. Not because she didn’t want it, but because she did.

Also because Dominic once didn’t.

She placed a hand on her flat stomach and closed her eyes for a moment. The thought made her chest ache in a strange, tender way.

The door clicked open.

She turned sharply. Dominic leaned against the doorframe. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his expression was softer than it had been a moment ago. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

Celeste nodded, quickly. "I’m fine."

He stepped closer.

The quiet drag of his shoes against the floor filled the air between them. When he reached her, he didn’t say anything. He just reached out, brushing the back of his fingers along her cheek.

"You don’t look fine," he murmured. "Tell me about it."

Her throat tightened. "I’m just... thinking."

He nodded once, waiting.

"About?" he used his words when she didn’t go on.

Celeste swallowed, her heart hammering now. She hesitated. Then, as if the words found their own way out, she whispered, "About what happens if I tell you something you didn’t expect to hear."

Dominic’s brows furrowed slightly. "Celeste."

Her voice cracked before she could steady it. "I’m pregnant."

The silence that followed was absolute.

Even the faint hum of the air vent seemed to disappear.

Dominic’s face didn’t move. Not immediately. His hand, which had been resting lightly on her arm, dropped slightly. It felt as if his body simply forgot what to do for a moment.

He blinked once. Slowly.

Then he blinked again.

Celeste took a small step back. Her hands twisted together nervously. "I took the test tonight. With Amara. It wasn’t supposed to be possible. I take my pills but..." Her voice faltered. "It’s real."

Still, she got nothing from him.

Her chest began to ache, as the silence stretched sharp. "Dominic, please say something."

He finally exhaled. The sound was low, and shaky in a way she had never heard before.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet. "You’re sure?"

She nodded once. "I checked, Dominic."

He ran a hand down his face, then lowered it slowly. His eyes found hers again. There was a mix of fear, disbelief, and something else, deeper.

He took a step closer. Then another.

When he finally stopped before her, his hands came up tentative, and almost trembling. He rested against her hips. "You’re carrying my child?"

Celeste’s breath hitched. "Yes."

His hands tightened slightly at her sides, as if grounding himself in the truth. His voice came again, quieter. "You’re sure?"

"Yes," she repeated.

He stared at her. His throat moved as he swallowed hard. His next breath came deeper, and heavier. Then, slowly, he dropped his forehead against hers.

"Say it again," he murmured.

"Dominic—"

"Please," he whispered. "Say it again."

Her heart thudded painfully. "I’m pregnant."

Dominic let out a quiet laugh, broken and disbelieving. Then his hands moved. One slipped behind her neck, with the other resting over her stomach, tentative and reverent.

For a long moment, he said nothing. His silence wasn’t heavy this time yet it remained unreadable.

Celeste trembled beneath his touch, uncertain. "You’re quiet. I don’t know if that’s good or bad."

He pulled back slightly, enough for her to see his face. There was something raw in his expression. He looked like he was looking at something too bright to stare at for long.

His thumb brushed her lower lip, and his voice broke softly. "It’s good, Celeste. It’s... so damn good I don’t know what to do with it."

Her eyes blurred instantly. "You once said—"

"I know," he cut her off gently. His tone was almost hoarse. "I know what I said. I didn’t want kids because I didn’t know how to be anyone’s father. But you—" his voice cracked again, "—you make me want to learn. You make me want everything I thought I couldn’t handle."

Celeste covered her mouth with one hand, the tears spilling freely now. "Dominic..."

He smiled faintly through his own unsteady breath. "You’re giving me a reason to build something I never thought I deserved."

Then, slowly, he dropped to one knee before her. His hand slid down to rest flat against her stomach again. His head bowed, and for a heartbeat, the only sound in the room was their breathing.

He pressed a kiss there. The kiss was soft, careful, and sacred.

Celeste’s hand flew to his hair. "Dominic."

He looked up at her. His eyes were glassy with quiet emotion. "I love you," he said. "And I already love whoever that is."

Her laugh came out like a sob.

He rose then, pulling her into himself. One arm was wrapped around her back, and the other was still anchored over her stomach.

Dominic swayed slightly with her in his arms, until she whispered, "You’re really happy?"

He pressed his lips to her hair, giving her a deep kiss there. "More than I know how to say."

Celeste smiled into his chest. Her tears wet the fabric there.

Dominic tilted her chin up, brushing away a tear with his thumb. "We’ll be okay," he said softly. "You, me, and this little thing."

Celeste laughed through her tears. "Little thing?"

He grinned faintly. "Until we know the gender."