The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

I should be back inside, celebrating with everyone else but I can't even bring myself to do that as I'm still stuck on what Vanessa said up on that stage. It got to me so much that I had to leave and come to one of the hotel balconies.

Right beside me is Frank and he continues to just watch me. The silence between us makes me listen to the sound of my heart racing, something that hasn't returned to normal ever since Vanessa said she loves me on that stage with her eyes full of sincerity. "You know," I finally say to Frank while leaning over the railing. "I believed everything she said during her speech."

"I know you did and so did I. Why don't you just tell her how you feel?" Frank suggests.

I sigh heavily, letting go off the railing. "I'd love to do that, but I don't know how."

"Come on. It's not that difficult. You're Dominic Richards. You used to get every girl you wanted back when we were much younger. I've seen you do it so many times and it worked each time."

I narrow my eyes at him, shaking my head in disbelief at the comparison. "That was in the past. This is different."

"I know, but you have confirmation that Vanessa loves you."

"Part of me still thinks it's not enough that she just said it on that stage."

He scoffs. "Sometimes, I'm amazed by how clueless you can be. Considering how your relationship started, do you think she would actually walk up to you and tell you she loves you just like that? Don't you think she'd fear that you would reject her? I could always ask Mia."

"No. Don't even bother. I'm not that desperate."

"Then what will you do now? Will you pretend like you didn't hear any of that?"

"I don't know, maybe I'll just.."

I trail off when my phone suddenly rings and the caller ID makes my eyes widen.

"It's Patrick."

Frank moves closer. "What? After so long?"

I firmly nod then pick up his call.

"Hello?"

"It's been a while," Patrick says from the other end of the line.

"I was just about to say that. Why have you called now?"

"I get that you're busy right now but we need to talk in person about everything I didn't tell you before. It's now or never."

"I can't do that right now. The event is-"

"I know that the event is about to come to an end. I've been watching the live stream. I'm right outside in the alley. You don't have to meet me if you don't want to, but you'll only get this one chance to speak to me so you can learn everything that you need to know." The call abruptly ends and I look up at Frank with a heavy sigh. "How the hell am I supposed to do this right now? I've been waiting for a long time to find out how Patrick knew everything but I can't just leave Vanessa here and everyone else. The event is almost coming to an end. She just needs to give out those products and that will most likely be it, apart from the food, of course."

"Hey, I'll cover for you."

on the shoulder with

the only one that I can tell that

the other end of the line and hearing her voice after what she said on that

okay?" I ask,

"Uh...yes, I'm okay."

a wonderful

The food's amazing!" she says, as if to avoid

and I'm going to

"What?"

I'm back. I won't take too long since he's right

call comes to an end, I look down at the caller ID, wondering when I could bring this up with Vanessa and ask her if she meant it. I don't see myself

-

my way to the alley right on the side of the building

was fast," he says to

this quick because I need to go

stream. I'll be honest, I'm still stuck on Vanessa's speech up

like me, he seems to believe it, but I try not to focus

tell me everything I need to

woman, I never mentioned her name. You didn't even bother to ask who I was talking about. Why?"

could've been talking about

get to the point. How did

"Carmella's my ex-wife.

"What?"

she's the one who ruined my life. That's how I know everything about your

can't be right. Your

scoffs. "You really didn't know her. That's a fake identity she's been

realization, I twist my face in anger as something else comes to mind. "If you're her ex-husband, then it means you're

she told you. When I left Vanessa, it was because of Carmella. She had me wrapped around her finger. only saw her true colors after we got married. During some of our

hurt me or not."

jaw and fists, pausing for a moment as he

did to me, but she always twisted everything to her advantage, going as far as faking her own injuries to make me look awful and everyone believed her just because

of how many times she cried in my arms about the awful life she

his voice cracking a little. "Not once did I ever hit her or anything like that. I never even locked her up but that's what everyone believes, including you. How did you fall for someone

him an answer, I lean against the wall, closing my eyes as

got

and I was

on with you and I was watching her. I didn't know where I would even start, had nothing I could use against her and I always wondered what you

as I know what she's capable of now. She went as far as lying about what happened to Billy at the orphanage and even played the

as watching her

never thought she'd see me again, so

Qu