"Gabriella, are you done with this tantrum?"
He said it in that particular tone of his — the one designed to cut.
"Millicent is the company's biggest earner. Funneling resources her way is an investment in our future."
"You're a kept woman who doesn't work. Who exactly are you wearing a gown like this for?"
The entitlement in his voice hit me like a slap.
Five years. Five years of everything I'd given, and in his eyes, it amounted to who are you wearing it for.
I drew a slow breath. My nails dug into my palms.
"Dominic, this gown was made to my measurements. I waited six months for it."
"You decided to lend it out. Did you once ask what I thought?"
He scoffed, utterly dismissive.
"Ask what you thought?"
He stepped closer, his presence bearing down on me.
"This gown cost three million dollars. I paid for it."
"The clothes on your back, the things you use every day — name one thing that didn't come from me."
"And now you want to talk about your opinion?"
His finger jabbed hard into my shoulder.
"Gabriella, learn some gratitude."
"Just because I've indulged you doesn't mean you get to pull stunts like this."
I stared at the man in front of me — this arrogant, self-assured stranger.
He genuinely saw nothing wrong with giving away his fiancée's wedding gown.
In his eyes, I was nothing more than an accessory. A possession that existed at his convenience.
I had no interest in wasting another breath on him. I turned and headed for the door.
"Stop right there!"
Dominic's voice cracked through the air like a whip.
He closed the distance in one stride, his fingers clamping down on my wrist like a vise.
"Dominic, let go of me!" I hissed through clenched teeth, the pain sharp enough to steal my breath.
He didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip and yanked me toward him.
His head dipped low, his lips nearly brushing my ear, his voice a dangerous murmur laced with warning.
"Gabriella. Don't push your luck."
"Go pick out something off the rack like a good girl. The wedding next week goes ahead as planned."
"Do as you're told, and once Millicent's done with the red carpet, I'll book out an entire island and throw you an even bigger ceremony."
"But if you walk out that door today..."
He paused. Something cold and predatory settled behind his eyes.
"I guarantee you, not a single bridal shop in all of Grandview will sell you so much as a veil."