Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WHO MADE HIM JEALOUS
The next week changed everything.
Linda became Dominic's unofficial shadow.
She sat in meetings.
She reviewed invoices.
She noticed discrepancies.
She remembered names.
She asked questions his senior men were too afraid to ask.
Within days, she discovered another missing $600,000.
Within two weeks, she had mapped an entire network of fake suppliers.
Dominic watched her work.
She was brilliant.
But she was also exhausted.
One evening, he found her asleep at her desk.
He stood beside her.
A spreadsheet glowed on the monitor.
Linda's cheek rested against her folded arm.
Dominic removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
She woke immediately.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize."
"I was working."
"I can see that."
She sat up.
"Keo's treatment starts tomorrow."
"I know."
"I'm scared."
Dominic looked at her.
"That's normal."
"You don't get scared."
"I do."
"When?"
He paused.
"When I have something to lose."
Linda looked at him.
Neither spoke.
Then Sofia entered.
She stopped when she saw Dominic's jacket around Linda.
Her face changed.
"Dominic."
He turned.
"What?"
"We have guests."
"Then entertain them."
"They're from the Moretti family."
"I don't care."
Sofia's eyes went to Linda.
"Apparently."
Linda immediately stood.
"I'll go."
Dominic caught her wrist.
"No."
The contact lasted only a second.
But both felt it.
He released her.
"Stay."
Sofia stared.
"You are making a mistake."
Dominic's voice became cold.
"Leave."
Sofia left.
Linda looked uncomfortable.
"You shouldn't fight with your family because of me."
"They aren't my family."
"They think they are."
"They're business partners."
Linda lowered her gaze.
"She loves you."
Dominic stared.
"Who?"
"Sofia."
"No."
"You know what I mean."
"Do you?"
Linda looked up.
His eyes were fixed on hers.
"Do you think I love her?"
"I don't know."
"Do you care?"
Linda's breath caught.
"Dominic."
He stepped closer.
"Answer me."
She shook her head.
"I shouldn't."
"Why?"
"Because you're my employer."
"Not anymore."
"What?"
Dominic's voice softened.
"If that's the only thing stopping you."
Linda stared at him.
"Then what am I?"
He looked at her.
"The woman I can't stop thinking about."
Silence.
Linda's heart pounded.
She whispered:
"You don't even know me."
"I know enough."
He lifted his hand but stopped before touching her.
"Tell me to leave."
She didn't.
Neither moved.
Then Dominic's phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed instantly.
"What's wrong?"
"Hospital."
He answered.
"Yes?"
A nurse spoke.
Dominic's face became hard.
"What?"
Linda saw it.
"What happened?"
Dominic lowered the phone.
"Keo collapsed."
Linda ran.
Dominic followed.
They reached the hospital within minutes.
Doctors rushed Keo into emergency treatment.
Linda stood outside the doors, trembling.
Dominic placed a hand on her shoulder.
She leaned into him without thinking.
He held her.
For the first time, she allowed herself to be held.
"I'm scared."
"I know."
"What if he dies?"
Dominic tightened his arms.
"Then we'll fight until he doesn't."
Linda looked up.
"We?"
"Yes."
She cried against his chest.
Dominic held her through every second.
Across the hallway, Sofia watched.
And something inside her finally broke.
She took out her phone.
"Matteo?"
"Yes?"
"I changed my mind."
May you like
"About what?"
"About helping you."
