Vanessa
| had the option not to show up here and say what was in my heart to Patrick, but | wanted to do it just so they would know half the
truth.
What | didn't expect from Patrick was to ask if I'm in love with Dominic, and it sets my heart racing with panic, especially when
Dominic takes a few steps to the other side just so he can look at my face as he anticipates my response.
While Patrick is right, | don't see myself ever admitting to that, especially because Dominic doesn't feel the sway | do. It's for
this reason that | quickly compose myself, glance at Dominic, then back at Patrick as | firmly respond.
"Do | have to be in love with Dominic forto feel nothing for you?"
Dominic looks away, seemingly a little disappointed by my response.
"Whatever made you so confident that you and | could still be together, get it out of your head. My feelings for you changed a long
tago. Last time, | didn't reject you because | was putting on an act. | truly felt that way. Even if | wasn't married, I'd still feel
nothing for you."
Patrick ruffles his hair and balls his hand into a fist, unsure of which way he wants to go as he constantly switches the direction of
his shoulders.
"You didn't answer my question," he says, his voice trembling with a sharp gaze. "Are you in love with Dominic or not?"
His question makes my heart race faster again as | realize that he won't let this go.
Dominic also looks on with raised eyebrows, makingrealize that he actually wantsto give a direct answer. | can't even
bring myself to say that | don't love him because that would be a lie.
Composing myself, | cross my arms and say, "That part has nothing to do with you. | did what | chere for, so stop going around
thinking you and | have a chance of getting back together. I'm leaving now."
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With my head high and my heart still racing, | turn around and quickly head back to the car without looking back.
Patrick calls out my na few times but it makes no difference to me.
While part ofis relieved that they both know how | feel about Patrick, another part ofstill feels uneasy at the fact that |
couldn't give a clear response in regards to how | feel about Dominic.
As soon as I'm in my seat, | sigh heavily, placing a hand on my chest to feel my beating heart.
| look outside the window as they exchange a few last words and | can see Dominic smirking at Patrick, who just stands there with
a piercing glare and barely holding his head high.
As Dominic starts making his way back to the car, | can't help but wonder the first thing he'll say towhen he gets here. | fear
that | might have been exposed for failing to give a direct answer but in a way, I'm still glad | spoke my mind.
He finally joinsin the back seat and our ride begins in silence. | can't even think of anything to say to him since | don't know
where to start.
Finally turning to faceafter leaning forward, he says, "Hey, about what happened back there-"
"l only cto do as intended," | cut him off, not daring to look in his direction.
He sighs, leaning back in his seat without saying a word.
| can't even keep my head up as I'm a little embarrassed at the possibility that he'll soon figure it out if he hasn't already done so.
When that happens, what will he say to me?
Just as my mind races with similar questions, he suddenly leans forward again, gently grabs my chin and pullstowards him for
a kiss on the lips. | kiss him back with wide eyes, my heart fluttering in a way that | can't put into words.
Even after he pulls away, he keeps his fingertips at the base of my chin, his other hand resting on the side of my waist as he looks
right into my eyes.
"You did the right thing by rejecting Patrick. Do you know why?" he asks quietly with a smirk.
"No. Tell me." My voice is barely above a whisper with my eyes locked on his.
"Because I'm not letting anyone else touch my wife."
My lips curve into a smile and | instantly wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him passionately, but it seems his passion far
surpasses mine. Is he that happy that this was the outcome? Am | wrong for thinking this way?
Since she couldn't have her way despite exposing the truth, there's no telling for sure what she's going to do next, but I'm not
afraid of her even as | read her latest threat. It even makesshake my head with a smile.
"You know, you need to start taking this more seriously!" Mia says to me, taking a bite from her chicken.
"I know | should, but she's the least of my concerns. My dad's treatment has begun and | should have been there, but Dominic
wantsto be here with you."
"Are you saying I'm not good company?"
"Con. You know what | mean."
"You know what | think? This is for the best. Dominic wants you to relax and not worry too much. Just let him take care of you in the
way that he wants to. If I'm being honest, | think he's falling for you."
"Shut up." | playfully glare, feeling my heart flutter.
| shake my head with a half smile. "No. That's not how | want to find out. It has to cfrom him and no one else."
Right in the middle of our conversation, my phone suddenly rings, a strange number flashing on my screen.
Mia looks down at it and shakes her head. "Do you think it's Carmella?"
| shrug. "It could be anybody and if it's her, | know exactly what to do."
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Clearing my throat, | decide to pick up and put my phone on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me," Patrick says from the other end of the line. "This is a different number."
"I know that. What do you want?"
"I'm leaving town for a while."
"Why? What about your job?"
"How about you tell him yourself?"
"No. | just wanted to talk to you again. Something's been bothering me. Did you mean it when you said you feel absolutely nothing
for me?"
| sigh heavily. "Yes, | meant it."
"Is it because you actually love Dominic?"
"Why would you bring that up again when that part has nothing to do with you?"
Irritated, | instantly cut the call with a grunt.
Mia, who was listening, shakes her head and says, "Well, it looks like he just won't let it go. He thinks you're the sold Vanessa."
"But I'm not."
"Cto think of it, this could be a problem."
"What are you talking about?" | narrow my eyes in curiosity.
"What if Patrick turns bitter because you rejected him and he decides to reveal what he knows?"