Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Dominic

It’s already 7:00 p.m. and I’ve just come back from the hospital, only to find out that Vanessa isn’t yet back. Is she still with Patrick? What could she be doing with him until now!

or one of her

Though I keep telling myself it’s none of my business, there’s actually a part of me that wants to call her or bodyguards to find out where they are now. But I won’t. It shouldn’t matter to me.

Before she left, she assured me that there was nothing going on between them. Still, they just reconnected. Who knows! Maybe sparks were flying between them this afternoon and then they…shit. I shouldn’t even be thinking that far right now, but so what if they ripped off each other’s clothes and she had her first time? They might still be going at it right now. No.

With each passing minute. I grow more restless and it’s infuriating that I can’t stop thinking about this.

Just as I slump back in my seat, I hear the car engine outside, so instantly rise to my feet and hurry to the door. Before I can even get to the door handle, I stop in my tracks with a heavy sigh. Why the hell am I doing this?

Clearing my throat, I return to my seat and look down at my phone, clenching my jaw at what I just did, and without even planning for it.

While scrolling on my phone with no particular interest in anything, the door opens and I can already hear Vanessa’s heels.

“Hey, she says to me from a distance. “Did you go to the hospital

“Yeah, I came back not too long ago I don’t even look up from my phone as she gets closer. “Were you with Patrick this

whole time?”

“What? No.”

She sits on the other couch, making me finally look up at her. The first thing I look at is her hair, which still looks as neat as it did before she left. Her red lips are just as stained as they were this afternoon. Nothing seems off about her dress or any part of her. Checking her out like this makes me want to shake my head. What the hell am I doing right now? Am I that bothered by what could become of her and Patrick?

It’s only when she speaks that I snap out of it.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it? Did something happen with Carmella?” I ask

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well it’s… it’s. She clears her throat. “Mia’s visiting any day now.”

“Cool”

Yeah” She gets u

Of all the things she could’ve told me, I didn’t think it would be anything to do with her best friend. I was certain it had something to do with Carmella. That would’ve been surprising, considering how much I’ve tightened security around us.

Thinking about her makes my heart sink, I still can’t believe I’ve had to go to such lengths to keep away someone I’ve always wanted by my side for the rest of our lives. It deeply hurts me, but I need to forget and with time, I hope I do.

Just as I take out a book frog my drawer to read for the night, I receive a call from my father–in–law. I was chatting with him through text a few hours ago. I wonder what he wants to say THOR

Good eveni

How busy are you tomorrow morning

Thave a meeting at 9 am

“Could you please come over for breakfast before then, even if it’s just for thirty minutes”

Well of course

“Excellent And please don’t tell Vanessa

“Why not?”

“I just don’t want her to know

I see. I’ll keep it to myself

After the call ends, I find myself wondering why Vanessa shouldn’t know, but I’ll do as he says. Maybe he has a surprise for her or something.

It’s been ten minutes since I arved at my father–in–law’s residence and I can’t stop staring at him something just seen” …………..

different about him, but I can’t quite figure it out.

“I hope the breakfast served here will be to your liking, my son.” he says with a warm smile.

“From the looks of things. I won’t be disappointed. I reply with enthusiasm, looking at the food on the table.

“Then let’s eat.” He chuckles

Only about a minute in. I notice just a slight tremble in his hand as he holds his fork.

“I guess you’re still exhausted from all the work My gare lingers on his hand.

As soon as he notices that I’m paying attention, he looks down at his own hand, giving me a light nod.

“Yes, that’s why I thought I’d take a few more days off. It’s really been quite exhausting with all these new investors.”

“I see.” I look away, focusing on my food again.

“You know what? I’ve probably told you so many times how proud I am that my daughter has someone like you as her husband, but I’ll never stop saying it. I’m glad she’s happy with you. It warms my heart just how much you take care of her. You’re the best thing that ever happened to her and I’m glad I got to witness that.”

Though his lips are curved into a smile, his words worry me so much that I can’t even focus on the food anymore.

“Is everything alright with you?” I ask.

“Of course, everything’s fine.” He chuckles. “Why do you ask?”

Tdon’t know how to explain it, but

“Don’t mind me. Fm just getting a little emotional. I get that way sometimes when I think about how much my daughter has been through.”

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Chapter 70

Right now, I can’t help but think about the night I held Vanessa in my arms while on her bed and she poured out h feelings, then I ended up kissing and touching her.

Just as my mind drifts off further into that night, my father–in–law speaks again to grab my attention.

Im hoping my daughter already told you about Patrick.”

“Yes, she told me about her ex–boyfriend.”

“I hope you didn’t have a problem with them being out together

“Not at all. My wife only has eyes for me,” I say with confidence, though I know I’m lying to him.

He chuckles. “Of course she does. I’m glad you were okay with it. My daughter’s just so kind and forgiving that she brought

him to me.

Though I shouldn’t ask, I’m so curious about Patrick that I just go for it

“Was he good to her when they were still together?”

He furrows his eyebrows. “I thought you said Vanessa told you about him.”

“She did, but she obviously didn’t want to get into certain details. Maybe she thought I would be uncomfortable.”

“Ah, I see. For the most part, he was good to her. He made her happy and she was so in love with him. Then, one day, he just broke her heart for someone else.”

His description of Patrick reminds me of myself and my plan to divorce Vanessa once I get what I want. The only difference is that when that time comes, I won’t be breaking her heart. It’s because she’s not in love with me.

Suddenly, he coughs hard, making me worry a little.

“Is everything alright?” My voice is laced with concem.

my food*

Tm fine, my son. I just choked on my

I don’t know why, but I’m not satisfied despite his assurance. “If something was wrong, you’d tell me, right?”

“Of course. You know what? You’re not the first person to ask me that. Even when my daughter was here, she said the same thing!”

He bursts into laughter, putting me at ease.

“Since you’ve had to take a few days off to rest, will you be able to make it to my sister’s launch this evening?”

“Of course I will! How could I miss such an important event? I’m sure I’ll be feeling even better by the time it’s evening.

For a few minutes, we carry on with our meal while casually talking about business. Even as I pay attention and seem enthusiastic, something keeps bothering me. Thanks to my father–in–law, I know about what Patrick really meant to Vanessa, but there’s one thing missing and when I can’t take it anymore, I finally let it out.

Do you have a picture of Patrick?”