The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Vanessa

Even after I tighten the grip on my phone as I look down at the screen, my hand still trembles. I don't recognize the phone number used, but it's an obvious message from Carmella. She's topless and right on top of Dominic, laying her head on his bare chest while he's fast asleep.

She smirks right at the screen and that only makes her follow-up text message feel like she's rubbing it in my face even more

"HE'LL ALWAYS BE MINE, BITCH!"

This whole time, I had a feeling that something like this might have been going on, but I didn't want to think about it, only because I was certain he would never go back to her. How could he do this after what she did? How could he go back to her knowing the type of person she is?

The more I stare at the picture, the more I hear my heart pound faster and it's louder than my heavy breathing.

I toss the phone aside, trying to compose myself but I'm unsuccessful as I can't stop thinking about it. It occupies my mind so much that I'm not in the mood to read anymore, so I roughly pull out the drawer, drop the book inside and roughly shove it back in.

Even after I curl up in a sleeping position, I can still feel myself tremble with rage as I laugh at myself for even feeling this way. What did I think was going to happen between the two of us?

I might only be thinking about my father right now, but it doesn't mean my feelings for Dominic faded away.

Only because I have a meeting in the morning with my new management team, I try to get some sleep and stop thinking about what I just saw, but it's easier said than done. Carmella got what she wanted and she couldn't wait to show off.

I look at Dominic's side of the bed, my vision a little blurry from the tears almost rolling down the side of my face. This is the first night that I sleep alone in our bedroom. It feels so empty and I hate it, but there he is, sleeping comfortably in her bed.

I barely got any sleep last night but thanks to my makeup, I easily hide the tiredness around my eyes while in the meeting, one which Dominic should've been part of.

I sit at the head of the table in the boardroom, facing the large screen like I'm paying attention but I only keep seeing flashes of the message Carmella sent to me. I even imagine the two of them in each other's arms and it makes me shake my head a few times.

The project manager leading the presentation then says, "Is there a problem, Mrs Richards?" She sounds a little nervous.

I sigh. "Not at all. Please continue."

It's only now that I realize she must have thought that was directed at her.

Learning of the two of them getting back together hurts me so much that I'm about to lose a grip on myself, but no, I don't want to be that person.

Just as I did before when I tried so hard not to let my feelings get in the way, I can do it again and I will.

Raising my head, I focus on the presentation, the images still flashing in my mind but this time, I pay them no attention. Getting this hair care line to launch should be my priority right now.

The meeting goes on for two hours and at the end of it, I look down at my phone. There's still no word from Dominic and I pinch myself, realizing I need to stop doing this, too.

After leaving the boardroom, the management team and I go to the lab to test a few samples and it takes longer than I expected, which I don't mind since it's just what I need to get my mind off of everything else.

Lunch is provided for everyone at the end of the day's program and as they help themselves to the delicious food at the classy restaurant, I'm on the phone with my mother-in-law to give her an update. "Oh, my dear, I'm so thrilled about how fast this is going to launch!"

"Me too." I force a smile, not as enthusiastic as I want to be.

"I'm glad you're able to handle this even without Dominic being present. He was right when he said you could do this alone"

I furrow my eyebrows. "When did he tell you that?"

"We spoke a few minutes ago."

Learning about this new information breaks my heart, especially when she says that Dominic was on the phone with my father-in-law, discussing a large transaction involving Project J-22.

It seems Dominic's talking to everyone but me and that only raises more questions in my mind.

After spending the day with my father and getting to know the new live-in nurse, I return home in the evening.

The car pulls up in the front yard and I press my fist hard into the seat, wondering what I did to deserve this lack of communication from Dominic.

The butler welcomes me as soon as I walk into the living room and I learn from him that Dominic's home.

I brace myself as I head to the

elevator, wondering how I should act

around him. I don't want to seem jealous and hurt by the fact that he was focused on fucking Carmella and ignored me, his pregnant wife.

I hold onto the doorknob, taking a deep breath as I push the door open.

As soon as I open it wide enough, I spot him brushing through his hair while standing in front of the mirror. It seems he just took a shower.

He doesn't even turn to face my direction but I'm not surprised. If he could go a whole day without talking to me, he can definitely do something like this.

I press my lips together, closing the door behind me and I don't intend to speak first.

I face away from him, placing my handbag on the table on the other side of the room, then place the palm of my hand on its surface as I begin to take off my shoes.

"Hey," he finally says while still facing the mirror.

"Hey," I reply, trying not to sound bitter.

"How was the meeting?"

"It was fine, even without you."

He sighs, finally facing my direction. "Look, I know I was supposed to be there, but I couldn't make it. I was busy with work."

I scoff. I can't believe he's lying to me right now, but it's only because he thinks I don't know the truth.

"Even if you were that busy, a single

text from you would've been

enough." I approach him and stand

right next to him to look in the mirror as begin to take off my earrings.

He sighs with a light nod, unable to keep his head high. "About Carmella, what happened was that-"

"You don't have to tell me anything."

"We're back together."

I clench my jaw. "I said you don't have to tell me anything."

"But you still deserve to know."

"You're right, but that's all I need to know." My tone is dismissive. "The rest is none of my business as long as the truth doesn't get out." "Are you being serious right now?" He raises his voice a little.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"It's seriously none of my business."

He turns to directly face me, his eyes scanning my face as he shakes his head firmly. "Don't you want to know what led to this?"