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.

Unable to take it anymore, I get up without saying a word and he doesn't even stop me this time.

The mansion is so huge that I use my phone and call her but she doesn't pick up.

I take it upon myself 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 her arms for self comfort.

I gently close the door behind me, keeping my eyes on her trembling shoulders. Though I don't hear her cry, I can tell she's holding it in.

I stand right behind her, slowly reaching out with my hand in the hopes that she doesn't push it away since I can't tell what state she's in.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

As soon as it comes in contact with her shoulder, I gently say, "Come here."

She instantly turns around, burying her face in my chest and breaking down into tears.

I gently rub her back with my arm wrapped around her waist as she tightly holds onto me.

"It's okay," I whisper to her.

"No. It's not," her voice trembles with emotion.

"I'll do everything I can to prevent the worst from happening," I assure her as I close my eyes as I mean every word.

I continue holding her for a few minutes so she can let it out, until I feel the need to make a suggestion to her as I look down at her.

"We should go downstairs to your father."

"No! I don't want to see him."

"I 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 talk to him about this and hear what etse

as to

he has to say. I know you're upset, but also know that this hurts you asmuch as it hurts him, so come with me."

More tears rush down her cheeks and I wipe them away again, then hold her hand after she agrees to come with me.

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

While we walk in silence, she constantly sniffles and I tightly hold her hand, this being the only comfort I can give her. She needs to talk to her father.

As soon as we're back downstairs,

he rises from his seat and she pulls away from me, running toward him and bursting into tears again as they embrace each other. She pulls on the fabric of his sleeves, the sorrow in her voice deep.

I've seen her break down before, but not like this and it makes me face the ceiling just so I can hold back my own tears. I don't remember the last time I felt this way.

"I'm so sorry I kept this from you, my sweet child," he says to her, his voice shaky.

"But what....what about... surgery?" she asks, the desperation in her voice filled with sorrow.

"I'm afraid I don't have the strength for that. Even if I did, the cancer's too advanced."

"No! This can't be it, I don't want to lose you, too!" She holds him tighter as her voice gets louder while in tears.

As they have their moment, I just stand in place, fighting hard to hold back the wet sensations in my eyes.

Breaking out of each other's embrace, they sit down together and I sit on the other couch.

She rests her head on his shoulder as he wipes her tears and I sigh deeply, the heaviness in my heart something I didn't expect.

"Who else knows about this?" I ask him, trying to compose myself.

"The two of you are the first to know," he says. "I'll talk to everyone else after this."

He smiles a little but I can tell he's just devastated.

While thinking about what words of comfort I can say, my phone rings from my pocket and it's the potential investor, informing me that he'll be ready to meet up soon so we can talk and drink together. After reading the message a second time, I look at Vanessa and say, "Will you be coming home with me?"

She firmly shakes her head. "I want to sleep in my old room."

I can understand the value it holds right now, so I nod in understanding, deciding to stick around for a few more minutes until it's closer to the time for me to leave.

I don't even see myself enjoying the drinks I'll be having this evening as my mind will just be on this devastating news.

My father-in-law tries to lighten the mood by talking about old memories, but they do nothing for her as she doesn't smile even for a second.

When it seems she can't take it anymore and wants to be alone, I hold her hand and lead her up to her bedroom since I know where it is.

I bring her inside and she's silent the entire time. Though she doesn't cry, I know she's deeply hurting inside.

Without taking off her shoes, she gets on the bed and curls up into a ball, hugging the pillow tightly.

I glance at her back a few times as I

stand by the door, about to close it so I can get to the car, but she sniffles and I I'I can tell she's in tears again. The longer I stand here and watch the harder it gets for me to leave. At the same time, this is one of the most important investors I've ever had for my personal projects. What should I do?