Dominic rolls his eyes as if this is a stupid question.
“HIPAA applies only in the United States, and I’m sorry to inform you, Dorothy, but we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
A growing horror dawns on my face.
“So you’ve been following my pre-natal check-ups?”
“I have,” he confirms, checking his nails as if bored.“Sweetheart, you’re here on my dime, and seeing my private doctor to boot.Doctor Gentile isn’t an obstetrician by trade, but we’re going to get you to a perinatal specialist very soon because twins are high risk by nature.”
I stare at him.
“Oh my god, you know everything.”But then, rage fills my veins because it’s not fair.He’s been spying on me all this time?Besides, why does he always hold all the cards?
“You know, we’re fine on our own,” I say in a stiff voice.“Patrick and Lochlan are safe and happy, and the three of us are very content together.I don’t know why you’re in Rome, Dominic, when you haven’t so much as called these past couple months.”
The handsome man looks regretful for a moment, but then his expression smooths.
“Circumstances changed,” he says in a noncommittal voice.“I had a breakthrough.”
“Oh really!”I snap, suddenly incensed again.“You’re forty-five years old, and an adult.You can’t just say that circumstances changed!Pray tell, what caused this precious breakthrough?”I ask in a sarcastic tone.“I’d love to know.”
The billionaire doesn’t look angry at my outburst.Instead, he looks around for a moment, and then gestures to a nearby seating area.
“Angie, take a seat,” he says in a low voice.“What I have to say isn’t going to be well-received, and I don’t want you to fall again while pregnant.”
“I didn’t fall!”I grit through my teeth.But as gracefully as I can manage, I step into the drawing room and sit down on a tufted green sofa.“So say what you’re going to say and get out,” I spit.
Dominic shoots me an unreadable look while folding that huge form into an armchair across from me.He’s startlingly gorgeous, with dark hair falling in a comma over his brow, and blue eyes that see straight to my soul.As usual, he’s clad in an immaculate grey suit that highlights his broad shoulders and wide chest.Still, this man brings chaos to my life and it’s unwanted and unneeded.
“Say what you have to say,” I manage through gritted teeth, my eyes shooting sparks.“Then get out.”
He lets out a low chuckle.
“You realize this ismyhouse, right sweetheart?”he drawls.“I find it bizarre that you’re demanding that I leave my own home.”
“I’m a pregnant woman, and logic has no place here,” I retort back.“Now say what you’re going to say and get out!”
Dom merely looks amused, his blue eyes twinkling.I swear, this man finds my distress enjoyable, and I hiss again, wishing I could breathe flames.But then his expression goes serious as he holds up both hands in placation.
“I hear what you’re saying, Angela, and give me a chance to explain.You know I’m a wealthy man—”
“I don’t care how much you have!”I scream, my hands gripping a green tufted pillow so hard that my knuckles go white.“You could be rich or poor, and it wouldn’t matter to me!What does that have to do with any of this?”
Dominic nods slowly, his expression regretful.
“I know, and this is one of the places where I went very wrong.You’re a gem, Angie, and I realized it too late.You are truly a diamond when compared to other women because other females often want me for my money.”
“Okay,” I grit, my hands clutching the cushion so hard that my knuckles hurt.“Thanks for telling me.But that doesn’t clarify anything.”
Dominic nods slowly, his expression thoughtful.
“Just wait for it, sweetheart.You see, when I made my first million, I started being targeted.Women began throwing themselves at me, not because they thought I was so charming or handsome, but because I was rich.Back then, I didn’t hide my wealth.There was no such thing as “quiet luxury” and I drove a Bugatti while wearing a Patek Phillipe watch.I didn’t possess the true markers of wealth yet, but I lived well, and ostentatiously.”
“You’restillliving ostentatiously,” I snap.“You named the old Holly Pines property after yourself, and it’s now known as the Masters Estate.If that isn’t the definition of conceit, then I don’t know what is.”
Dominic shrugs.
“Holly Pines didn’t suit me.Neither do other names like Daybreak, Hidden Hills, or Chapel Cottage.Yeah, someone suggested that I mislabel my mansion as a cottage,” he says in a wry tone.“It must be a Southern thing.But anyways,” he continues.“I’ve been a target of feminine manipulation for a long time.It’s been going on for decades, and as you know, a tried and true method of ensnaring a man is by getting pregnant.Family court can be generous, and child support payments last eighteen years.I mean, look at Elon Musk.That dude must be paying up the ass for his brood of children.”
