Chapter59

Dominic

While looking in the mirror, I fumble with my necktie and it’s frustrating me even more because I’m running out of time. I know my father will be calling me once again, demanding that I hurry for the emergency meeting this evening

As I finally get it right, I tilt my head to the side, glancing at Carmella through the mirror. She’s all curled up on my bed.

Ever since she returned from the orphanage, she hasn’t stopped crying, feeling awful about accidentally hurting little Billy. I didn’t expect her to be perfect. That’s why I understood her and made sure to clear things up.

Finallydone with my necktie, I quickly get what I need so Icanbead outside.

But before I leave. I head over to her with a sigh. “Babe, you need to stop blaming yourself.”

She sniffles as she sits up, wiping her tears with more tissues. “I just can’t help i it. You should’ve seen the way Billy looked at me, like I was a monster. He was so scared of me.”

“It’s just like you said. You were caught of guard, so you flinched and ended up hurting him.”

“You’rereallynot mad at me?”Shepouts.

“Of course not.” I smile. “We’ll talk about this when I return. I love y

She smiles back. “I love you too, babe.”

you.

After aquickkiss, I head out of the bedroom, my phone already ringing again and I know it’s my father.

“Hello?” I say tohim.

“Where are you?”

I’m already on myway.”

“Hurry up or I’m leaving without you.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

Ihurry even more, not wantinghimto go without me. I’m now part of the team.

JustasI step outside, Vanessa’s car pulls up. I want to know all about her time at the orphanage with the children, but that’ll have to waiL

As soon as she steps out of the car, Ilookover at her and say, “I’m very busy now, so tell me about it when I come back

“Oh, okay.”

She slumps her shouldersandlightly shakes herhead. She actually seems disappointed, like she was looking forward to telling me about it right away.

As soon as I faster my seatbelt, I turn on my laptop, trying to get up to speed with what’s going on and at the same time, I plan to keep texting my father to update him on where Iam.

Vanessa

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Chapter 59

I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to talk to Dominic right away because hewasin a rush. Who knows when he’ll be back andwhatthat was about?

No matter how long it takes, I have to tell him aboutwhatCarmella did. I’m just hoping he’ll actually believe me.

The best

pärl is that the other people at the orphanage will also youch for me. That’ll definitely get rid of any doubts he’ll have just by depending onwhatI say.

Afterthis, I hope Carmella never goes back there. Who knows what she’ll do next time? I’ve seen just how heartless she can be.

I’mso frustrated about not being able to tell him right away that I huff as I step out of the elevator.

I even fumble withmykeys and grunt with irritation. It’s never taken me this long to unlock my bedroom door.

Just as I’m about to close my bedroom door after unlocking it, I feel an external force from the other side, so I open the door and I see Carmella. Not only am I surprised that she’s here, but it’s also the puffy and teary eyes along with tissuesinherhandthat catch me off guard. Why the hell is she crying?

“What do

I want?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at the state she’s in. It just doesn’t feel right

I’m glad you’re back,” she says, her voiceemotionalasshe stepsinsidemy bedroom without my permission.

I’m too stunned to even stop her. I turn around to face her and notice her hunched back while she continues to sob. Then, she turns to face me while still facing the floor.

“Ever since I came back from the orphanage, I’vebeenfeeling awful, she says. “That’s why I told Dominic about how I hurt that little boy when I didn’t mean it. I didn’t want Billy to see me as a monster.”

I’m actually in disbelief at how she’s acting right now, and it makes me shake my head at her.

“What the hell are you doing?”Iask, not moved by her words and state.

“Do you know what Dominic said after I told him what happened? He said that I’ll get better next time and he understands that it was an accident. That’s why…” She sniffles, straightens up, drops the tissues right on the floor and raises her eyebrows at me as she pokes out her hip. There’s nothing you can fucking do about it. Her voice tone changes to the regular mean tone I’musedto.

Iscoff. “I’mgladI didn’t believe you for one second. That was horrible acting

“Bitch, it doesn’t matter. I knowyouwere planning on telling Dominic, but no matter what you say, he won’t believe you at all. Do you know why? It’s because he already believes me. He even called the orphanage and apologized on my behalf. That’s why there’snothingyou can say to him that’ll change his mind

I can’thelpbut clench my fists at how she made this work in her favor. It actually makes my blood boil.

“How could you act this way despite knowing what you did back there?” I ask, tryingtokeep myself composed,

your head.

She sneers. “Isn’t it yetobviousthat Idon’tgive afuck? Let that sink into you

“I don’t doubt thefactthatyou’re crazy. That explains why you justtookoff your heels and ran off”

She turns serious and points at me. “You better mind your own Business when it comes to that. Just knowthatwhateveryouplanned to say to my man, shove it up yourass. You might’ve won the previous round when Iwasforced to pick up stupid bear, but I definitelywonthis round.

She cackles, heading to the door while hummingmockingly.

Despite the frustrations I feel even after she’s gone, I need to find a way to tell Dominic. But at this point, just telling him

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what happened won’t be enough. I need evidence. No matter what ittakes, I’ll makethingsright.

It’s 9 inthemorning and I learn from one of the butlers that Dominic’s not yet back. I wonder what’s goingon. I don’t even want to text him or call and ask. He’ll just say it’s none of my business.

With breakfast served at the table, I sitonthe far end while Carmella sits on the other side. I don’t even bother lookinginher direction. I know we’re supposed to act like friends, but to hell with that. I’m certain that no one working here actually believes it.

I had the option to have my breakfast in my bedroom, but this is my house, not hers.

She glares at me a few times, but there’s nothing she can say to me right now in the presence of themaidsand butlers on standby.

“Do you guys have to be here?” she says to them in annoyance. Co to another room or something. It’s difficult to enjoy my

breakfast like this. Geez!

“Everyone, stay right where you are,” I step in, my tone authoritative.

“Yes, Ma’am, they all say in unison..

She glares at me again and I just narrow my eyes. It

I’m the one in charge here.

While I look away from her and have my meal, I can’t stopthinkingabout what I can do to convince Dominic of what the actual truth is. I finallythinkof something and hope it’ll work out perfectly when I decide to do it.

Now that I’ve had enough breakfast, it’s time to leave. I don’t want to be in close proximity with her for too long.

But just before I get up, my phone rings and I giggle at the caller ID. It’s Mia, my best friend. I’ve been wantingtotalk to her/ since yesterday.

“Wow! Your phone’s finally back on. Why was it off for so long?” say to Mia, glancing at Carmella as she pours herself some hot tea.

“I justhadso much to do with moving and all!” she says from the other end of the line.

1 finally get up and begin heading out of the dining room, having to walk in Carmella’s direction so I can leave.

“Guess who I ran into yesterday at the orphanage**

“Who?” Mia sounds eager to know.

“PatrickKentworth!”

Suddenly, Carmella spits out her hot tea and her mug slips from her hand, instantly burning her.

色