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."

pat him on the shoulder with a proud

Vanessa, the only one that I can

says from the other end of the line and hearing her voice after what she

okay?" I ask,

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

was a wonderful

amazing!" she says, as if to avoid the topic and

and I'm going to see him right

"What?"

I'm back. I

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 keeping this question inside, not after

-

to the alley right on the side of the building and find Patrick casually

was fast," he says to

better make this quick because I need to go

I told you I watched the live stream. I'll be honest, I'm still stuck

it, but

about you tell me everything I need to know? It's the only

I never mentioned her name. You didn't even bother to ask who I was

been talking

don't care. Just get to the point. How did

"Carmella's my ex-wife.

"What?"

one who ruined my life.

Your ex wife's name is

really didn't know her. That's a fake

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

still think that way because that's what 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

hurt me or not."

jaw and fists, pausing for

with everything she 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

lower my head with a heavy sigh as I say, "I lost count of how many times she

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.

my eyes as I try to process everything he's just said

got

and I was

to the point of passing out, just because she ruined my life. She was happy and moved 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 saw in her. I'm guessing she

wasn't," I say quietly, feeling like an idiot that I believed everything she ever said to me. It's not so difficult to believe Patrick as I know

far as

never thought she'd see me again, so when

Qu