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.

can't even think of any words of comfort but by the looks of it, he doesn't need them. He keeps a smile on his face like

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

saying a word

so huge that I use my phone and call her but she doesn't

me a while, but finally, I find her standing in the corner of

me, keeping my eyes on her trembling shoulders. Though

slowly reaching out with my hand in the hopes

in contact with her shoulder, I gently say,

burying her face in my

with my arm wrapped around her waist as she

okay," I

her

happening," I

holding her for a few minutes so she can let it out, until I

downstairs to your

don't want to see

I place my hands 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

wipe them away again, then hold her

the room, she wraps her arm around mine, resting her head

hand, this being the

me, running toward him and bursting into tears again as they embrace each other. She pulls on the fabric of his

break down before, but not like this and it makes me face the ceiling just so I can hold back my own tears. I don't remember

so sorry I kept this from you, my sweet child," he says to her, his voice

what....what about... surgery?" she asks, the desperation in her voice

that. Even if I did,

you, too!"