Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Vanessa

My food might even go cold just talking to my father as he keeps going over the same thing. I guess that’s how worried he was about me.

“I was ready to abandon everything here just so I could come back to you,” he says from the other end of the line. “If not for Mr Richards calling me back, I’d be on my way there by now. But you’re really fine?”

“Dad, I’ve already told you. I’m absolutely fine.” I chuckle. “I’m even having a meal with Sophie. Are you still not convinced?”

Do

you

“It’s just that the news gave me a huge scare. You’re so dear to me that I can’t bear anything bad happening to you.

know what stressed me the most about this? It’s the fact that it happened when I wasn’t around. Even if it was a prank call, I really hope Dominic deals with whoever did this, just like he promised.”

As soon as he mentions Dominic, I’m reminded of when he called Sophie and spoke to me. I didn’t understand what was alright, but now it makes sense. I hope he gives me the details later of what happened.

when he asked if I

Even before I finish talking to my father, my mother–in–law calls and I have to end the call with my father so I can speak to her. I already know what she wants to say. As I pick up and look over at Sophie with wide eyes, I whisper to her that the calls just keep coming.

“Mom, I’m alright,” I say to her as soon as I pick up.

Tjust

“Oh, my dear, I just really wanted to hear your voice.” She sighs with relief, her voice heavy with emotion. “I just wish I could hug you right now and tell you how glad I am that this was all a lie.”

Her concern warms my heart and makes me smile. “You will when we see each other.”

“And what idiot went to such lengths?” She suddenly turns angry. “If Dominic doesn’t do anything about this, I’ll do it myself. This is absolutely nonsense!” Her tone switches again, sounding softer. “I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to yell. I just couldn’t bear anything bad happening to you when you recently got married and you’re my daughter now.”

Her touching words make me place a hand on my chest, and Sophie whispers to me, asking if I’m alright. I give her a nod, smiling brightly.

“I feel much better now that I’ve spoken to you. Even though my husband already told me that you were alright, I just needed to speak myself. I love you, my child.”

“I love you too, mom.” My voice cracks a little with emotion as I’ve received so much love.

After the call ends, I put my phone down on the table and lean back in my seat with a heavy sigh.

“Is she okay?” Sophie says to me, raising her eyebrows.

“Yeah and to be honest, I didn’t think everyone would be this worried.”

“Are you kidding? That was a huge scare for everyone.”

I huff. “You’re right, but who would even think of such a prank?”

“You know my brother has a lot of rivals. It could’ve been someone trying to get back at him for something else that happened.”

“If that’s really the case, they must be so heartless.” I scoff.

to you

Just as I think about it, I even assume it could just be someone who was trying to get his attention, but why would they do something so extreme? I tilt my head, wondering if this could have been Carmella. It has to be. I’ll confirm it when I talk to Dominic.

“Hey, are you alright?” she asks, leaning forward.

I snap out of it, fixing my posture. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Just the possibility that it could really have been Carmella has already piqued my curiosity and I just want to call Dominic right now, but I’ll wait until I get home.

Getting back to my food, Sophie and I chat for a few minutes until my phone rings again. We both look at each other, sharing a knowing look.

“Hmmm…. I wonder who it is this time.” She shakes her head playfully.

I pick it up and look at the screen, Patrick’s name flashing on it.

“It’s a friend of mine. Just give me a moment.”

“Of course,” she says, focusing on her phone.

“Hey,” I say to him.

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+5

Chapter 87

“Hey, you. What’s up?” he asks from the other end of the line.

“I’m just out having some fun.”

“Is it great so far?”

“Oh yeah. It’s been amazing.”

“I saw your husband a few minutes ago.”

“You did? Where?”

“He was in a moving car. I knew it was him, but of course, he didn’t see me. I mean he doesn’t even know what I look like. I just thought that since he didn’t seem to be with you, I could give you a call so I could find out when I’m seeing you again.”

“Now that you’ve brought that up, he also wants to meet you.”

“He does? Why?”

“I told him about you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Now he wants to meet you.”

Wood idea? I don’t want to get punched in the face.”

“Are you sure that’s a

I chuckle in amusement. “That’s not going to happen. He’s just curious about you. That’s all.”

yously.

“In that case, I’d love to meet him, too.” He chuckles nervously.

“We can all meet up tomorrow.”

After the call ends, I put my phone aside again and Sophie doesn’t even seem the least bit curious about who I was just talking to. She’s just minding her own business, looking down at her phone.

Though I think of telling her about Patrick, I change my mind. Not everyone needs to know that I’m in contact with my ex. Who knows? Maybe everyone else won’t be in agreement with it so I should just keep it to myself.

“Hey,” Sophie says, bursting into laughter while still looking down at her phone. “I’m just checking up on dad. He keeps sending me these long rants about how he’s still so upset.”

“I feel awful that this happened.” I sigh heavily. “It had everyone panicking.”

“Me too, especially Dominic. He abandoned everything just to get to the hospital as soon as possible.”

The thought of it brings a smile to my face. I heard all about it when my father–in–law first called me. Was Dominic really that worried about me? It was so sweet of him.

“Hey!” she snaps her fingers in my face. “Come back to earth!”

I flinch a little, snapping out of it. “Did you say something?”

“Wow, you’re already thinking about Dominic.” She teases me.

“Uh…no.”

“Don’t lie to me. It’s written all over your face.”

“You know what? You’re right. I’m just thinking about how quickly he sprung into action.”

“To me, he’s more annoying than Jake, but one thing I’m certain of is that he’ll always be there when needed.”

She

Caches for my hand across the table and says, “Now, how about we keep our party moving?”

I nod with enthusiasm and we finish our meal, then go shopping for some sexy dresses. I love mine so much that I put it on. We continue having our fun until we part ways around 6 p.m.

On my way home, I keep trying to call Dominic but I can’t reach him. My curiosity won’t give me peace of mind.

I find out from the butler after I arrive that he’s in the study, so I make my way there before I can even head up to my bedroom. I need to talk to him right away.

After I hold onto the r handle and push the door open, he flinches in his seat upon seeing me and drops his phone. What was he doing?