Chapter 114
Dominic
I furrow my eyebrows, shocked by what Carmella has just said to me.
"What do you mean you're leaving town for good?" I ask, leaning against the wall.
"That doesn't matter. Just meet me as soon as possible!"
"Why do you keep whispering?"
"That also doesn't matter. Just come here as soon as you can!"
"If you have something urgent to say, then just say it here. I'm not coming over there."
"Don't you want to know how Shane found out about us?"
"What? I thought you didn't know that."
Suddenly, the call ends and I look down at the screen with a heavy breath. I instantly call back but no matter how many times it rings, she doesn't pick up.
Frustrated, I step away from the wall and pace in the corridor, wondering what I should do as I look at the office I'm supposed to go to.
Though it's possible that she knew all along and just didn't want to say anything before, or she found out about it now, it's also possible that she's just doing this to get my attention since I didn't get in touch with her after what she told Vanessa.
While I'm conflicted, I'm still trying to find ways to get Shane off my back, so I decide to go to Carmella's apartment.
I head outside to find Vanessa and she's sitting right on the grass with a few kids.
As soon as she looks at me while I approach her, her enthusiasm fades.
I gesture with my head for her to come over while faking a smile for the kids, who genuinely smile back at me.
She excuses herself, her voice extremely gentle and I can't help but compare it once again to how it was when she was harsh with me. Though it's no longer the case, I can't seem to just forget about it.
The children call out to me, trying to get my attention and I just wave at them, then look over at Vanessa as she comes closer while cleaning herself.
"What's wrong?" she asks.
I chuckle softly, amazed by how she knows that something's up before I even say it.
"Carmella just called me. She claims to have information about Shane and how he knew about us."
"And you believe her?" She narrows her eyes suspiciously.
"Of course I don't, but I'm still going to see her. That's how desperate I am to get rid of Shane. Maybe if I know how he found out about this, I'll be able to fix it."
"But what about the children here?"
I sigh. "You'll just have to cover for me when it comes to them. I won't even dare announce that I'm leaving. I know how some of them burst into tears everytime I leave."
"Why not just see Carmella after we leave this place? There are only a few hours left."
"That's the problem. I can't wait. She says she's leaving town."
"She is?" She raises her eyebrows. "That's unexpected."
I only nod, turning to face the other direction as I say, "I'll see you later."
Finally arriving at the apartment, I ring the doorbell, clenching my fist as I have so much to say to her.
As I wait for her to open the door, something catches my attention at the corner of my eye. It's the subtle movement of the white curtain on the window in the living room. I look over and realize it's her. It almost looks like she's trying to find out who's at the door. She's never done this before and I find it strange.
Finally, she opens the door and she actually looks like a mess with unkempt hair and large circles under her eyes as she frantically looks around.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Nothing." She composes herself, leaning against one side of the doorway and clearing her throat.
"Are you sure it's nothing? You looked like you were trying to scan for something."
"Don't be ridiculous." She rolls her eyes.
"And what was just that now? Since when do you first check through the curtain? Were you expecting someone else?"
"What? Of course not." She flips her messy hair while glancing at her phone.
"You made me come all this way, so this better be good. I already can't stand the sight of you, but what you did to Vanessa was absolutely wrong."
She smirks. "It took you long enough to talk to me about that."
"Did you really think I was going to fall for your little game? You expected me to call you, but I didn't. What were you trying to achieve by telling her about the divorce?"
"Are you kidding me?" She snickers. "Did you plan to keep her in the dark about everything? I was just doing her a favor so she doesn't get her hopes up."
"Why would she get her hopes up? She's known from the beginning what this marriage means for us."
"I know she loves fucking you. Who wouldn't? I just needed to put that bitch in her place. I didn't want her to think she won. And that's some pathetic security she has with her. I hope you fired them all."
I clench my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I should have had you arrested you by now for wanting to attack Vanessa, at least that's what it looked like according to what she said." "Well, yeah, but I didn't end up doing it."
I can only smack my lips at how nonchalant she is while admitting this to me.
"So, tell me." She gives a sinister smile. "What did the bitch say to you when she came home? I know it hurt like hell when I told her about the divorce and that's exactly what I wanted to see." Holding my head high, I chuckle. "We spoke about it and we're fine now."
Her smile fades. "What?"
"You heard me correctly."
"But...but how?"
I scoff. "That's between Vanessa and me."
She frantically shakes her head. "You're still divorcing her after you get what you want, right?"
"I don't want to waste time here, so cut the bullshit and talk."
Suddenly, she flinches at the sound of the gate in the next yard, making me tilt my head at how she seems on edge.
"What's wrong with you?" I ask.
"Just come inside so we can talk." Her eyes still dart around the yard.
"No. I'm not coming in, so just tell me about Shane."
She purses her lips, then nonchalantly says, "The honest truth is I have no information about how he knows."
I sigh with disbelief, disappointed in myself for even giving this a chance when I knew that this was one of the possibilities.
"You're really unbelievable."
She shrugs. "Can you blame me? I had no other way of getting in touch with you. I just wanted to see your face before I leave. At least that part is true." She licks her lips with a flirtatious smirk. "And why are you leaving?"
Her smirk instantly fades. "That doesn't matter."
"I can't believe I left the orphanage for this bullshit," I say gritted teeth.
"You seriously prefer being with those bastards over me?" She twists her face in anger.
I glare at her and she instantly fixes her face, but it's too late.
"Babe-"Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
"Just Dominic."
"Always keep in mind that I love you and no will take you away from me."
Suddenly, she wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me on my lips.
Without kissing her back, I push her away. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"That was supposed to be a goodbye kiss, but longer." She draws her lower lip between her teeth.
Her phone rings before I can speak
and the moment she looks at the caller ID, her eyes widen and I see her chest suddenly rise and fall rapidly, Whatever's going on with her, r, don't give a fuck. I'm so upset with myself that I came here for nothing.
Wanting to head back to the orphanage, I say, "I'm taking back this apartment. If you choose to return, it won't be here."
"Come on. You don't mean that."
"Keep making yourself believe that," I warn her.
Trying to contain my anger from the fact that I wasted my time, I head to my car and she doesn't run after me like the last time. She just stands by the door, making me wonder what's going on with her. It's not like twant her to run after me, but this is so out of character for her.
Quickly, I fasten my seatbelt while glancing at her and she just stands in place, pressing hard on her phone with rage. It completely has her attention and she doesn't even look at me. What's going on with her?
back to the
Even as I drive ba
orphanage, can't seem to forget
about my moment with her as something just doesn't feel right. For someone so determined for us to get back together, why is she doing the complete opposite by leaving?