Dominic’s Wife

CHAPTER2

~Danielle

None of us spoke as the car drove through the city. It was a starless night and the moon sat alone in the sky. Alone; that was what I felt. I continued to gaze up, not daring to acknowledge the tense silence that surrounded us. He did not attempt to move or speak to me. It seemed that the earlier warmth that he had shown me was gone. It had all been theatrics and I was itching to know why.

I let my mind wander from the man beside me to my grievous lack of judgement that had landed me in this mess. I would have never suspected that my boyfriend of two years and my fiancee of four months was capable of destroying me.

I could still remember how he had slipped the ring onto my finger at the hospital after he had been diagnosed with cancer. How I had giggled like a little girl and wept afterwards as he held me to him. We had planned that whatever would happen we would go through it as husband and wife. Of course, now I knew that it had all been a lie

I had given him half of my inheritance and I gotten involved with loan-sharks at his persuasion. All so that he would have a chance at life, so we would have a chance at life together. I played right into his hands. Who would have thought that Liam Lancaster, my fiance, was the head of the loaning organisation that I had signed a contract with.

The interest rate had been outrageous but I went through with it because I could not see a life without Liam by my side. Once the deadline came I had to use the rest of my inheritance to pay which entered Liam's pocket. Still, it had not been enough and his men had begun to harrass me. Tonight, as they had promised me many times before, they did their worst.

They destroyed my only source of income. The coffee shop was more than just a source of income, she was my blood, tears and sweat. After toiling for the years and under my father's tyranny, the coffee shop was the one thing I had to show for it.

Tears prickled my eyes and I wiped them away. I refused to cry for Liam but betrayal cut deep. First my mother, then Liam and Vera. It was as though my life was an endless maze of treachery. I took in a breath that sounded more like a shudder.

"Are you cold, Miss Foyer?" Dominic's voice sliced through my reverie.

I turned to look at him. His amber eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of night and they held no warmth. It had been a cursory question and it had nothing to do with him caring for me.

"I am fine." I lied.

His gaze was accessing and I suddenly felt a chill. He nodded in acceptance of my reply but he did not look away. He did not look like one who had recently awakened from a coma. He was the vision of power and stability. "We will be heading to my house, if you do not mind. We have much to discuss." His voice told me that I was in no place to refuse since he had just paid a huge portion of my debt to his step-brother.

I nodded, dread pooling in my gut and I swallowed. He finally turned away and I let out the breath that I did not know I was holding.

__________________

"A marriage contract?" I echoed as I got up from my seat across from Mr Lancaster who was watching me through hooded eyes.

"Yes." He replied as though the proposal was not outlandish. "That is if you want my funds but if not," he got up and put his hand in his pockets. "You know where the exit is." His tone was dismissive but there was an intensity in his eyes. Liam had been right to ask, what exactly was his game?

I turned away before I heard his voice again.

"You will pay me back what I paid to Liam. Interest included."

I pivoted to look at him again. "Interest? I don't remember ever asking you to pay my debt for me." My voice rose with growing indignation.

"Yet, you took my hand. You watched as I threw the money in his face. You rode in my car. You are here now."

My face heated in embarrassment. "I thought I was taking a helping hand."

"A helping hand." He scoffed as though the thought alone disgusted him. "You are that naïve, Miss Foyer?"

"It is not naïve to believe someone would be willing to help." I countered.

"Even after your own sister stabbed you in the back. Even after your own mother left at the mercy of a father who saw you nothing more than a punching bag.

My stomach churned at his words and the breath was knocked out of me for the second time today. I took some steps back. "You… don't know… anything." I tried to sound fierce but the words came out breathy and shaky.

"Danielle Foyer, twenty five, parents, John and Ymir Foyer, graduated from Pineshold community college, with a bachelor's degree in business management. Favourite colour, Lavender…"

"Stop!" I screamed. "Please." I felt injured, cornered, and I couldn't breathe. I looked up at him, tears blurring my vision. "Why me? Give me one reason." I understood well enough that I did not merely want what he was offering, I needed it. Yet, I could understand why this imposing man wanted me as a wife. "When you could have anyone."

He looked down at me, unfeeling and to my surprise his lips twitched into a wicked grin that made my blood run cold.

"To settle old scores." He said, his eyes gleaming with sinister intent.

I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. I walked up to him, still unsure of my reply to his proposal. My heart thumped in tandem to my racing thoughts as I approached him.

When I finally came to a stop, my mind was made up. "Yes, I will be your wife."

I turned to leave after finally conceding to his terms.

"Miss Foyer," He called before I could get far.

I faced him once again and my eyes were drawn to something that he now held. A ring.

"You have forgotten your engagement ring."

I blinked at him in astonishment. He asked for my right hand and I gave him. Liam's ring was still on my finger and I watched as he slipped it off. He gave it to one of his men who promptly disposed of it in a waste bin.

Dominic slipped the new engagement ring onto my finger.