The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Dominic

My father's home office has only ever had a picture of him but ever since Charlotte was born, he's put up a few more and just of her and her precious smile. Each time I'm here, it's mostly business, except when I bring Charlotte over.

As he finally takes his seat on the other side of the desk, my first thought is that he wants to talk about business, as usual but with some small talk. "How's everything at home?" He keeps a blank expression as he leans back.

"Everything's great," I reply, not expecting him to linger on this conversation, but he surprises me.

"I want to talk about Charlotte." His face brightens up a little as he looks at her picture on the left side of his table. "She's so well spoken despite her young age. I've spent so much time with her and I see just how good of a job you've been doing, especially you. Vanessa has told me all about how you usually go the extra mile just for my granddaughter."

I chuckle and proudly say, "I'll do anything for my princess."

"I know you will. I wanted you to earn my trust again. That's why I've been watching you. With everything I've observed in the past few years, I've decided to give you back what you deserve."

"What?" I almost jump out of my seat but end up placing my hands on the table as I lean forward. "You're... giving it back to me?"

"Your mother wanted me to do it last year but I thought to myself that I should wait a bit longer and you've really proven yourself to me. I'm proud of you, son. I forgave you a long time ago. I just wanted to see how long you'd actually be there for your family and not once have you let them down, so here you go."

He slides an envelope across the desk and after I open it to check the document, my eyes grow wider as I read through it.

"This is a list of all the shares you're giving to me and it's much more than I thought it would be! What...what about Sophie and Jake?"

He gives me a half smile. "As a family business, we've expanded even more in just three years. That's why they also have more than enough and they were thrilled, maybe not as thrilled as you are. I could've easily monitored you during the first few weeks of your marriage, but I didn't want to invade your privacy and I trusted you. Just don't mess things up now. Actually, I believe you won't."

He rises to his feet and walks over to me, making me rise up and I embrace him a bit too strongly that he grunts.

"Sorry." I force a chuckle as I loosen up.

"I expected it."

"Dad, thank you so much for this."

He pats me on the back. "I'm glad to say you earned it."

On my way out, Frank calls and I don't let him speak as soon as I pick up.

"Guess who's the happiest man on earth right now?" I ask.

"Definitely not me because I'm stressed out about all these wedding plans!"

"That's why I'm here to help."

"Then why aren't you here right now?"

down and listen to the

gasps

You know I earned

get here and let's think about some suit designs for

have to wait. I need to

place? Oh, is this what I'm thinking?" He chuckles. "This should be

to

my mind. I can't wait to celebrate this good news with Vanessa. I could have told her over the phone, but I prefer telling her in person and I will as soon as

with one of the officers accompanying her and as I look at her from head to toe, I instantly shake my head at what has become of her and the most obvious changes are her matted hair, chapped lips, and

recent incident of how her hair in the back was yanked from her scalp after a fight

years ago. This is still a more tame version of her and I can't help but wonder who made her this way in this prison. Sitting down on the other side, she says, "I still can't believe you finally came to see me after all these years. Couldn't stay away from me any

shit. I'm not

even a small part of

"Of course not."

me. "How could you say that when I was

special to me, just as you've put it and it hasn't been the

"But...you love me."

"Are you Vanessa?"

and as soon as she does, she sneers,

really took you

the one you targeted with that fucking knife before she was born. She's beautiful, strong and healthy. Her name is Charlotte." She exhales deeply.

so I can get back home.

so different? It's me." She points at

know it's you. That's why I came

raises her eyebrows with hope.

left up

at me. "Then what the fuck is

I've ever wanted from my

that's true. He took that away from you because

most by telling the truth. Look at me now. I have everything I've ever wanted. You

people under your control working that hard

internet at the bottom of my feet. Whatever I say is final. Not even that gossip site stood a chance with all that money given to them. You can always just stand up right now

table, but I swiftly lean back and get up from my

to get

"No! Please don't go!"

and you know, seeing you

still have feelings for me?" She smiles in

hate you for everything