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

feel the need

it anymore, I get up without saying a word and he doesn't even stop

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

and it takes me a while, but finally, I find her standing in the corner of one of the bedrooms with her

close the door behind me, keeping my eyes on her trembling shoulders. Though I don't hear her cry, I can

stand right behind her, slowly reaching out with my hand in the hopes that she doesn't push it away since I can't tell what state she's

soon as it comes in contact with her shoulder, I gently say, "Come

instantly turns around, burying her face in my chest

wrapped around

I

her voice trembles with

can to prevent the worst from happening," I assure her as I close my eyes as I mean

continue holding her for a few minutes so she can let it out, until I feel the need to make a suggestion to her as I look down at

go downstairs to your

don't want to

wipe her tears away. "You need to talk to him about this and hear what else he has to say. I know you're upset, but I also know that this

down her cheeks and I wipe them away again,

we make our way out of the room, she wraps her arm around mine, resting her head on the side of

her hand, this being the only comfort

soon as 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

like this and it makes me face the ceiling just so I can hold back

this from you, my sweet child," he says to

she asks, the desperation in

strength for that.

too!" She holds him tighter as her voice gets louder while in