The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

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 two of us sit in silence as I 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 he's thinking about a lot, but that doesn't make me feel any better.

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

without saying a word and he doesn't even

so huge that I use my phone and call

to search every room and it takes me a while, but finally, I find her standing in the corner of one of the bedrooms with her hands resting on

trembling shoulders. Though I

hopes that she doesn't push it away

it comes in contact with her shoulder, I

in my chest and

with my arm wrapped around her waist as she

I whisper to

not," her voice

do everything I can to prevent the worst from happening," I assure her as I

she can let it out, until I feel the need to make a

should go downstairs to

I don't want to see

know you don't mean that." I place my hands on the sides of her face, looking into her teary eyes as I wipe her tears away. "You need to

as to

say. I know you're upset, but also know that this hurts you asmuch as it hurts him, so come

them away again, then hold her

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

she constantly sniffles and I tightly hold her hand, this being the only comfort I can

as

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

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

I kept this from you, my sweet child," he says

the desperation in her voice filled

I don't have the strength for that. Even if I did, the cancer's

can't be it, I don't want to lose you, too!" She holds him tighter as

just stand in place, fighting hard to hold back the wet sensations in