Chapter 2: Goodbye Dominic
1051 Words
Chapter 2: Goodbye Dominic
(Caroline's POV)
The black Rolls Royce glided smoothly away from the Ashford estate. Through the tinted privacy glass, I saw Mrs. Gable's nanny standing on the sidewalk, craning her neck toward our car like a meerkat. Her eyes were wide, hungry for gossip to spread through the neighborhood.
I didn't hide. I pressed the button on the door panel, lowering the window just enough to be seen. I lowered my sunglasses and fixed her with a cold, piercing stare. The nanny flinched and quickly looked down at her shoes.
I rolled the window back up and turned to the rearview mirror. I checked my reflection. My eyeliner was sharp, my lipstick flawless. There were no tears.
"Goodbye, Dominic. I hope you choke on your freedom."
With that, I snapped my compact shut. The car sped away, leaving three years of wasted time in the dust.
The vehicle passed through the iron gates of the Lowells estate. As soon as I stepped through the familiar double oak doors, the air felt different. It smelled of power and old money.
My mother, Grace, walked forward. She didn't rush. She looked at me with a mixture of relief and expectation.
"Carrie," she said.
My father, Richard, stood beside her. The ruthless Chairman of Lowells Corporation looked at me, assessing my state.
"Welcome home," he said simply.
I didn't collapse. I didn't cry. I stood tall, meeting their gazes.
"You were right about him, Dad," I said, my voice clear. "But I had to learn it the hard way. Now, I'm done playing the victim."
Richard nodded, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "Good. The Lowells don't break. We reload."
"I need to freshen up," I said.
"Go ahead," mom said. "Your suite is ready."
In the master bathroom, the air smelled of Damascus rose oil. The massive tub was filled with water, covered in fresh rose petals. A silver tray held a pitcher of fresh milk.
The maid smiled excitedly. "Miss Caroline, a hot bath to wash away the stress?"
I reached for the belt of my robe, then paused. My hand rested briefly on my flat stomach.
"Drain the water," I said. "And take the champagne away. Bring me a sparkling water with lime."
The maid looked confused. "Miss?"
I turned to my mother, who had followed me in. I took a deep breath, "I'm pregnant," I stated. "Two months."
The room went silent. Mom's eyes widened. She looked from my stomach to my face.
"Pregnant?" she gasped. "Does Dominic know?"
"No," I said, a cold smile playing on my lips. "And he never will. This is *my* child. It will carry the Lowells name. It is not his heir."
Mom's shock turned into a fierce nod. "Agreed. That man doesn't deserve a legacy from you."
We moved to the sitting area in my suite. Dad joined us, listening to the news with a stoic expression.
"This changes things," he said. "But it changes nothing about our stance."
Suddenly, a knock came at the door. The butler stepped in, looking slightly flustered.
"Sir, Madam," he said. "Mrs. Eleanor Ashford's motorcade is at the gate. She demands to see Miss Caroline. She says she is here to bring Mrs.Ashford back."
Mom's expression turned stormy, but before dad could speak about protocol, I stood up.
"Tell security to lock the gates," I commanded, my voice cutting through the air.
The butler blinked. "Miss?"
"You heard me," I said, walking to the window to look down at the driveway. "If she doesn't leave in five minutes, call the police and report her for trespassing. There is no Mrs.Ashford here. Only Caroline Lowells."
Dad looked at me, impressed. He turned to the butler. "Do as she says."
"Yes, Sir."
I watched from the window as the gates remained shut. After a few minutes of honking, the Ashford motorcade turned around in defeat.
I turned back to my parents. "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me for dinner."
I slept peacefully. When I woke, the afternoon sun was filtering through the curtains. A purple silk dress hung on the valet stand—bold, regal. I dressed and went downstairs.
I stepped into the living room.
*Bang!*
Confetti exploded in the air. Ribbons rained down on me.
"Surprise!" my cousin Ella shouted, jumping out from behind the sofa with a champagne popper. "Happy Divorce!"
Several relatives raised their glasses. The mood was electric.
"Ella!" Aunt Patricia scolded, though she was smiling. "You'll startle her!"
Ella grinned and winked at me. "Please. Caroline is tougher than all of us combined. Besides, I'm celebrating the return of the Queen."
I smiled, genuinely this time. I took a glass of orange juice from a tray.
"Did Eleanor leave?" I asked casually.
"Ran off with her tail between her legs," Richard said, taking a sip of his coffee. "The police were halfway here."
I nodded and sat down, crossing my legs. I looked at my father.
"Dad," I said. "I'm taking back my seat on the board. I have some ideas for the merger with the tech giant, and I'm not going to sit around knitting baby socks just because I'm pregnant."
Dad didn't hesitate and frown. He set his cup down and grinned—a shark-like grin of pride.
"That's my girl," he said. "The office is ready. The paperwork is already on your desk."
Ella raised her champagne flute high.
"To the return of the heiress!" she yelled. "Let that blind man regret everything!"
"Cheers!" everyone shouted.
(Dominic's POV)
Night had fallen by the time the car pulled into the driveway. The headlights cut through the darkness.
I helped Faye out of the passenger seat. We walked toward the front door.
Habit made me look up. I glanced at the master bedroom window on the second floor.
It was black.
For three years, no matter how late I came home, a warm yellow light always shone from that window. Caroline always waited.
Tonight, the glass reflected only the cold moonlight. The entire villa felt submerged in a suffocating silence. It was lifeless.
I paused on the step. My chest tightened. A strange, sharp annoyance pricked at my heart.
"Dominic?" Faye asked softly.
I looked away from the dark window, jaw tightening. "Let's go inside."
- Writer
