Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Dominic

As soon as Vanessa opens the door for me, I instantly raise my eyebrows at how she’s now standing on both her feet.

“You’re walking?” My eyes linger on her bad foot.

“Forget about me. What did you have to say about Penelope? What happened to her?”

Not only is her voice filled with desperation, but her eyes, too. She’s obviously worried.

“I just came to say she’s awake now.“”

Placing one hand on her chest, she places the other one on her hip when she lets go of the door knob.

“You scared me for a moment.” She sighs with relief. “I actually thought-”

“No, she’s going to be alright.”

Curious to see her leg up–close, I step forward and crouch down right in front of her.

7” She takes a step ba

“What are you doing?”

a step back.

“What does it look like?” I reach for the back of her leg.

“You don’t have to do this,”

“Yes, I do. This is definitely good news for everyone who’s been on my neck like I’m your babysitter or something”

When I hold onto the back of her call and squeeze it, I barely hear any discomfort from her apart from a little grunt.

kup

I look up at her and give her a nod. “Looks like you’re okay.”

She only gives a quick nod back, seemingly about to change the topic. “Enaugh about me. When are you going to see Penelope?”

“I’m leaving as soon as possible but I first

t need

d to p

get some toys for her.” I rise to my feet and tower over her.

“Don’t go without me.”

33%

“Just so you know, I’m not going to be your babysitter with that bad leg of yours.”

“I told you that I’m fine.”

“You just think you’re fine. If you come with me and experience pain, you won’t be my responsibility.”

I feel like I’ve done more than enough for someone who means nothing to me.

“Again, I’ll be fine. We can go toge

together after breakfast.” She crosses

es her arms.

“Fine, now listen to me carefully.” I get even closer, narrowing my eyes as I’m about to warn her. “This is going to be your first public appearance as my wife. I expect you to carry yourself in a certain way. You’re not just going to be representing me, but the entire family as well. Don’t fuck this up. Is that clear?”

Chapter 22

Her eyes blankly stare into mine for a few seconds. Then, she rolls them at me as she turns around and heads to the bathroom.

H

“Whatever you say.” She nods while on her way.

A part of me actually wishes she still had that leg problem just so she could stay in bed all day. Now she’s gone back to her annoying self.

d her a

Now that I’ve told

about Penelope, I head out of her bedroom so I can return to mine.

Before I even open my bedroom door, I can hear my phone vibrate from inside, right on the table where I left it. I already know it’s Carmella.

I haven’t spoken to her since the night I told her about Jimmy and she told me she didn’t give a damn. I just couldn’t deal with her after that.

Had it been any other place where I was, she would have definitely come to me. However, she and I had show up here unless I gave her permission to do so, even as Vanessa’s friend.

lan agreement that she would never

Since I’ve been ignoring her, she even reached out to Frank, begging him to speak to me on her behalf. However, nothing can change the way I feel.

I obviously don’t expect her to love those children with all her heart, but I at least expect her to respect what they mean to me and show a little compassion.

Eventually, I’ll have to talk to her but for now, it’ll have to wait.

She’s been blowing up my messages on all my social media platforms, every place she can possibly reach me.

All her messages have the same content–countless apologies, but it’s not going to be so easy

ng to be so easy for me to forget.

After putting on my black smart pants, I begin buttoning up my long–sleeved white shirt and call my father–in–law. While it’s on speaker, I give him the update about Vanessa.

“I’m so glad my daughter has a husband like you,” he says with gratitude from the other end of the line. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

“If I’m being honest, I didn’t even do much.”

“Come on. I know how well you’ve been taking care of her. I even know how you’ve barely left her side. Thank you so much, my son.”

I smile as I look in the mirror, my

y tone gentle

gentle. “You don’t have to thank me. She’s my wife. I’ll always take care of her.”

“And I’ll always trust you on that. Have a good day.”

You

u too.”

As soon as the call ends, my smile fades and I shake my head at what I have to go through just to keep up appearances. I have to keep lying to

everyone about how much I care about Vanessa.

Alter I get everything I want, this will definitely be a thing of the past.

I don’t see myself spending the rest of my life like this with her, absolutely not.

I

Once I’m fully in my suit, I brush my hair back just to accentuate the sharp features of my face. This is my favorite look. I know I’m just going to the hospital but I still want to look dashing, as always.

I told Frank not to have the press outside the hospital but knowing him, he didn’t listen to me. That’s why in case the press will be there, I

Chapter 22

need to make sure I look my best.

Once I’m ready to leave, I head to Vanessa’s bedroom door. After I hold onto the door knob and twist, I’m about to push the door open when I stop myself. Things are different this time. She’s back on both feet and could be naked right now.

Slowly I set the doorknob loose and take a step back.

“Are you done yet?” I shove a hand in my pocket.

“I’m almost ready. Just give me five minutes.”

Like I’m actually going to believe it’ll be five minutes. It’ll obviously be twenty minutes or something. Whatever she’s doing will take a bit longer.

“Meet me downstairs soon. If you don’t show up, I’m leaving,”

“Don’t leave without me!” I hear her

er say as I walk away.

When I’m downstairs, I wait for exactly twenty minutes and I’m not even surprised at how she’s taken so long.

Having waited long enough, it’s time to leave without her.

she’s taken so long. I knew this would happen.

Just when I’m about to head to the door, I hear the elevator open. When I look in that direction, I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s in a formal black dress that’s just above her knees and it clings to her figure. She also has a white jacket that’s buttoned only at the narrowest part of her waist to accentuate it.

My attention instantly lingers on her curves but soon, I tell myself to look away.

My gaze then drops to her feet and I can’t believe she’s in heels. I even see her limp just slightly. It might not be the best idea for her to walk in those heels.

“Are you out of your mind?” I point at her heels. “Why not put on some slippers or anything flat?”

She stops in her tracks and looks around with her lips pressed together. “In that case, I’ll be right back.” She returns to the elevator with a limp.

The moment the door closes, I huff Now I probably have to wait an extra five minutes.

When she returns, she’s now in some flat shoes and her limp is barely noticeable, which is much better.

As she approaches me again, I’m unable to look away. This time, my gaze lingers on her hair. It looks luscious and she’s added some curl to it as it falls on the sides of her face.

She definitely looks like a billionaire’s wife. Her pictures will be all over the internet, which will make my father absolutely thrilled.

As I wait for her to get closer, I have my hands in my pockets but when she stands right before me, she’s about to fall over and instantly holds out her hand. I instantly reach for her hand and hold it tightly.

“Are you sure you can do this?? I’m doubtful as I look at her leg.

“I’m fine. Let’s go,” she says firmly, leading the way.

I can’t help but shake my head at what’s coming. I guess I still have to babysit her.

While in the limousine, I can’t stop looking down at my phone. Carmella still keeps texting and calling me.

3/4

Chapter 22

As much as I want to turn off my phone, I can’t. I need to keep Frank updated on where I am because he’s already at the hospital.

The thought of blocking her for a while just to punish her even crossed my mind, but I know just how furious she’d be if I did such a thing.

Maybe this is enough punishment for now. I’ll speak to her after coming back from the hospital.

As soon as the limousine drives out of the yard, from my window, I spot Carmella standing in the middle of the road. Not only does she seem restless with her messy hair, but she’s also furious.