The Daring Billionaire’s Wife novel (Vanessa and Dominic) novel Chapter 163

Vanessa

Had this been any other situation, I'd be passionately jumping on Dominic right now and telling him just how much I love him to his face, unlike what I did on that stage.

Even though he hasn't directly said he loves me, I'm still left speechless as my heart flutters but I know that for everyone else, they're silent because they don't believe him.

I look over my father and tears don't stop running down his cheeks even when he wipes them off.

"It might seem like I'm just trying to save myself, but it's not the case," Dominic says again, making me look back at him. "What I feel is real."

Suddenly, my father-in-law clears his throat and rises to his feet, stepping away from his desk as he says, "As of this moment, you're no longer part of Project J-22."

"Honey!" My mother-in-law chimes in.

"I'm not finished," he waves his finger. "You're banned from future projects that I wanted you to be a part of and forget about being part of the company. I'm taking away everything that should've been yours. That's what you deserve."

He then glances at me, his gaze softening just a little bit.

"Focus on Vanessa. That's the only reason I'm still talking to you."

And with that, he storms out, my mother-in-law going after him.

Sophie and Jake also rise to their feet, coming right to me but it seems they have nothing to say as they can only shake their heads.

I can't take their silence. No one has really said anything to me and it doesn't make this any better.

With their heads low, they walk out the door, leaving me with Dominic and my father.

I look over at Dominic and he just sits still, facing the floor with his eyes shut and a heavy sigh of defeat. This is the lowest I've ever seen him.

My father, who still doesn't even look at me or Dominic, continues to sniffle and I can't take it anymore.

"Dad, I'm sorry about all this."

He wipes his tears again and calls for his nurse waiting outside, completely ignoring me.

Right when she comes in, he says, "Please get me out of here."

"Dad, please don't go."

As soon as he walks out of the door, I attempt to press a button on my wheelchair so I can go after him but Dominic holds onto it.

"Give him some time," he says quietly. "Let's give everyone some time."

I look back at him and he can barely hold his head high. It's only now that I realize he needs me as well.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Do you even have to ask? I knew something like this was coming, but it still hurts."

I reach for his hand and as he holds onto it, he closes his eyes as his lips come in contact with it.

Even though my heart flutters at the gesture with his words about his feelings for me running through my mind, I can't fully celebrate it.

"Everything you've been working hard for ever since you and I got married has been taken away from you," I say to him.

"I know, but things change. Those things don't really matter anymore. Come on. I'm still a billionaire with so many companies to run. What difference does it make if I miss out on a few?"

He tries to sound positive but I've seen for a long time just how much this meant to him. It was his dream company after all and now, he'll never have it.

~

Dominic

It's early in the afternoon and Frank and Mia accompany us back home.

Mia insists on being the one to to take Vanessa up to the bedroom, leaving me with Frank in the living room.

"Dude," he says, "It's been a few days now and your family still isn't talking to you. Maybe you shouldn't have told them the truth."

"How could I not? You heard Carmella call me 'baby' after she attacked Vanessa, so how could I avoid any of that?"

He nods in understanding. "I'm sorry that this is happening to you."

He'd usually be cracking jokes, but this is different and he knows it.

"I hope Mia doesn't take too long so we can leave." He looks down at his watch.

"Can you guys stay here today?"

He chuckles softly. "Of course I can. When are you going to see Carmella?"

"Not right now. I need to be here with Vanessa."

"Has she said anything ever since you talked about your feelings in the presence of everyone?"

"No, but one thing is for sure. She was flustered by it."