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. I couldn't understand it before,

her behind. I still hope I'll be around long enough to see my grandchild. After thinking about it, part of me

"Why?"

daughter to be stressed out

have been any different and it's like you said, you were waiting for this. You should've seen her in my arms. She doesn't want to lose you and

my son. I've already

"She hasn't."

while for her

about that. Have you already told my

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 my

a drink?" he says

that's okay?"

He chuckles. "Of course!"

mini bar where we sit together and he completely seems different as he

you already thought

smile a little, despite the sadness. "Vanessa and I couldn't agree on

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

haven't really thought

late wife was

to wake up in the middle of the night to buy specific snacks she wanted to eat. It was

he tells me all

during those

ourselves talking

and it doesn't even feel like he

to him, I also come to the realization that there's something important that needs

back to Vanessa's bedroom, quietly closing the door behind

get on the bed and

to sleep in any of the other bedrooms, yet I've chosen

Vanessa

the birds outside in the

slowly adjusts as I look to my left and my eyes widen at the sight of Dominic, resting his back against the headboard while on his phone. "Good morning," he says,

eyebrows at

here

"What? You slept here?"

"I did."

I didn't

for about two hours since I was up almost

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