Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN DOMINIC HAD MISJUDGED
Layla survived.
So did both babies.
But the doctor warned Dominic.
“The pregnancy is extremely fragile.”
Dominic sat beside Layla's bed.
He had not left the hospital for thirty-six hours.
When she woke, she found him asleep in a chair.
Not the ruthless billionaire.
Not the feared crime boss.
Just a tired man holding a tiny ultrasound photograph.
Layla whispered:
“You stayed.”
Dominic woke immediately.
“Yes.”
“You didn't have to.”
“I did.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
He stared at the photograph.
“Because I spent my entire life believing power meant never needing anyone.”
He looked at her.
“Then you disappeared.”
Layla's eyes softened.
“And?”
“I realized how empty everything was.”
She said nothing.
Dominic carefully reached toward her hand.
He stopped before touching it.
“May I?”
Layla hesitated.
Then she nodded.
He held her hand.
“I was cruel to you.”
“Yes.”
“I judged you without asking.”
“Yes.”
“I hurt you.”
“Yes.”
Dominic swallowed.
“I am sorry.”
Layla had expected many things from him.
Not that.
She squeezed his fingers.
“I don't need you to become someone else.”
“What do you need?”
“I need you to listen.”
“I will.”
“And I need my children to grow up knowing kindness.”
Dominic nodded.
“I'll learn.”
Layla smiled faintly.
“You're going to have to practice.”
For the first time, Dominic smiled.
Then the door opened.
Matteo entered.
“We found the person behind the attack.”
Dominic stood.
“Who?”
Matteo placed a photograph on the table.
Dominic stared.
His face became expressionless.
May you like
The mastermind was someone he had trusted for fifteen years.
His own uncle.
