The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Dominic

Not once in my life have I ever missed out on such an important investor and I would have never thought that I would find myself in such a situation.

Despite my entire body facing the door because I want to leave, I can't seem to turn my neck and face the exit as I keep looking at Vanessa, who curls up even more.

I clench my jaw with a sigh, take out my phone, send a message, then turn it off and close the door behind me.

I don't even question whether I've made the right decision or not as I approach the bed. It seems my will to stay is just that much stronger.

I take off my shoes and slowly get on top, aligning myself on my side right behind her.

Placing my hand on her trembling shoulder, I quietly say, "Come here."

She instantly turns to face me, once again burying her facing my chest. Judging by how she clings to me, she needs me right now.

Her tears soak part of my shirt in only a few seconds but right now, that doesn't even matter.

"I don't want to lose him!" She sniffles.

"I know," I say to her, wondering what else to say but I have nothing. Instead I keep rubbing her back, resting my chin right on top of her head.

It takes a long time for her to stop crying and for as long as he does, she doesn't let go of me, just as I don't let go of her. I even lose track of time as I don't check my wristwatch. My hold on her trembling body is fixed, leaving it up to her to get away from me when she no longer wants to cry in my arms.

A few hours after comforting her, she stops crying and falls asleep right in my arms. I give it some more time just so I don't wake her up and when I'm certain that she won't, I gently let her go, placing her head on the pillow.

After I get off the bed, I put on my shoes and gently close the door behind me to go back downstairs. I don't even bother turning on my phone since I'm certain of how much the potential investor is probably lashing out at me for canceling on him at the last moment.

Even though I come downstairs to be alone and process everything I've witnessed this evening, I find my father-in-law in the same seat that I left him in a few hours ago.

"You're still awake," I say to him as I approach. "It's almost midnight."

"I don't think I can sleep tonight," he says with sadness. "How's my daughter doing?"

"It took a while, but she fell asleep in my arms."

He smiles at me. "Thank you for taking care of her. I don't know what it would've been like had you not been here."

I lean back in my seat as I think about it, wondering what would've happened to Vanessa had I decided to leave and have those drinks.

Even though my father-in-law and I sit in silence for a few seconds, the air isn't thick with tension and I lean forward, realizing something as I look at him.

and asked me to take care of Vanessa.

her behind. I still hope

"Why?"

I want is for my daughter

and it's like you said, you were waiting for this. You should've seen her

that, my

"She hasn't."

while for her and it

right about that.

I'm still here, aren't I? In the last few hours, I've been deeply thinking about something. I want to live my life to the fullest and make the best memories that I possibly can while I'm still

painfully and my heart actually breaks for

how about a drink?" he says with

that's okay?" I

He chuckles. "Of course!"

where we sit together and he completely seems

already thought

"Vanessa and I couldn't agree on a single name. She had her own suggestions and I had

you ready for what's to come in the months leading

sigh. "I haven't

my late

to wake up in the middle of the night to buy specific snacks she wanted to eat. It was overwhelming sometimes, but I loved every moment of it. I hope you cherish

he tells me

during those months

ourselves talking for a

and it doesn't even feel like he gave

also come to the realization that there's

to bed, I come back to Vanessa's bedroom, quietly closing the door behind me and she's still fast asleep

get on the

easy for me to sleep in any of the other bedrooms, yet I've

Vanessa

I can hear the birds outside in the tree that's always been

vision slowly adjusts as I look to my left and my eyes widen at the sight of Dominic, resting his back

instantly sit up, furrowing my eyebrows

been here since

"What? You slept here?"

"I did."

I didn't feel a

two hours since I was up almost all night having