The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

Dominic

"It really doesn't look good for me, my children. The cancer's spread to my lungs."

I would've never guessed that this was what my father-in-law had to say and it's for this reason that it leaves me feeling crushed in a way that scares me, especially for Vanessa. I look over at her and she just freezes in her spot, not even blinking as she struggles to find her words.

Hearing this devastating news makes the air thick with tension as no one wants to speak and I can only imagine what's going through her mind right now.

Hoping to break the painful silence, I compose myself to hide my shock as I prepare to say something, but he sighs heavily, his voice breaking as he speaks.

"Remember the time I was away for two weeks? I told everyone that I was leaving to go on business but the truth is I actually went for chemo. I've actually been frequently doing this in secret, but it didn't work because the tumor's grown."

"But...but when did you find out about this?" I ask, glancing at Vanessa's trembling shoulders and hands.

"I found out a few months ago but I didn't want to say anything. I wanted to wait until my daughter got married and I'd hear the good news that I would become a grandfather and it finally happened. I didn't wan anything to come in the way of that joy."

"You shouldn't say it like it's the end of the world." I smile through the sadness in my heart.

"For me, the end is closer than you think. I have less than a year."

As soon as he says that, Vanessa rises to her feet and runs off, placing her hand over her mouth. Concerned, I get up so I can go after her.

"Give her some time," my father-in-law says to me.

I stop in my tracks and my heart actually breaks for her as I can only imagine what she's going through right now. I take a few steps back, sitting back down with him and I can tell he's trying to hold back his tears.

I sorrowfully bury my face in my hands, thinking about how much Vanessa and her father treasure each other.

the looks of it, he doesn't need them. He keeps a smile on his face like he's thinking about a lot,

more I sit here, the more I feel the need to see Vanessa and speak to

to take it anymore, I get up without saying

huge that I use my phone

me a while, but finally, I find her standing in the corner of one of the bedrooms with her hands resting on her arms

eyes on her trembling shoulders. Though I don't hear her

hand in the hopes that she doesn't push it

contact with her shoulder, I gently say,

instantly turns around, burying her face in my chest

my arm wrapped around her waist as she

I whisper

not," her voice trembles

happening," I assure her as I close my eyes as I

continue holding her for a few minutes so she can let it out, until I feel the need to

go downstairs

I don't want to see

on the sides of her face, looking into her teary eyes as I wipe her tears away. "You need to talk to him about this and hear what else he

cheeks and I wipe them away again, then hold

she wraps her arm around mine, resting her head on the side of my

hand, this being the only comfort I can give her. She needs to talk

we're back downstairs, he rises from his seat and she pulls away from me, running toward him and bursting into tears again as they embrace each other. She pulls on the fabric of his sleeves, the

the ceiling just so I

my sweet child," he says to

about... surgery?" she asks, the desperation in

don't have the strength for that. Even if I did,

This can't be it, I don't want to lose you, too!" She holds him tighter as her voice