On your knees, Mr. Billionaire

Camille Blackwell ~•~ I’m pregnant. Those words replayed in my head over and over as I stared at the pregnancy test strips I’d bought. I’d bought about five of them after I realized I missed my period and all five of them showed positive. My first thought was to tell Dominic. Maybe our married life would be better after I let him know we had a baby on the way. Maybe after I went for a proper test in the hospital. With that thought in mind, I discarded the test strips, washed my hands, and exited the bathroom. I was just about to leave the bedroom when the door opened and Dominic came in. My lips formed an automatic smile when I saw him. “Good morning,” I greeted with more cheeriness than normal. Dominic scrunched his eyebrows as if he was surprised by my excitement and grunted something that sounded like “same” as he took off his suit jacket. I couldn’t wait to tell him about the news! I was sure his family would be happy to hear it. They’d been asking us for a grandchild for the longest time. I rushed over to help him. “Where have you been?” I asked as I folded the suit jacket and placed it on the bed, coming around the front to help him unbutton his shirt. “You didn’t come home last night.” “None of your business, Camille.” I pursed my lips, but I didn’t let his grumpiness affect my good mood. It wasn’t the first time he was staying out all night. I was used to it. The only difference was that it was becoming more frequent. I knew he was very busy at work. His company was working on a very high-profile project that would increase its profits so he had to work overtime most days. “You must be tired,” I said as I took off his shirt to reveal his muscles. I placed my hands on his shoulders, massaging some of the tension away. Dominic spent most of his time in the office but was somehow very toned. “Why don’t you get some rest? My ceremony doesn’t start until three so you have enough time to rest.” Dominic shrugged my hand away. “What ceremony?” I felt my stomach drop. “M-my graduation?” My voice came out smaller. “You’re not coming?” “Of course not.” He said, not bothering to sugarcoat his words. “I have work to do. Why would you think I’d be free?” “I… I just thought—“ “Look, Camille,” he cut me off. “I don’t know what kind of sympathy card you’re trying to play with me this morning, but as you said, I’m tired. I only have a few hours to rest before I return to work.” I lowered my gaze in embarrassment. What was I thinking? Why did I delude myself into thinking he was going to show up? He didn’t care about showing up for me? He only cared about me when he needed to be present with his wife. “And can you please take the other room? I need uninterrupted rest.” My cheeks burned. “I—“ “Never mind.” He sighed like I was a real piece of work. “I’ll shower in the other room.” Before I could say anything, he walked past me into the closet, grabbed a couple of clothes, and walked back out, closing the door with a lot more force than necessary. I let out a shaky breath after he was gone. I wasn’t surprised by his actions, but that didn’t mean they hurt any less. In the four years I spent in medical school, he’d never asked me how I was or if the course was too tough. If anything, he was glad that I had something to keep me busy. Tears gathered in my eyes but I blinked them away. I wouldn’t cry, not today. Today was the happiest day of my life. I was pregnant and was graduating. I’d be starting residency soon. I was married to my first love and making progress in my dream career. I was happy. I wouldn’t let anything or anyone take it away from me. That was what I told myself as I went downstairs to prepare breakfast. Dominic had a lot of staff for that, but I wasn’t good at cooking anything else so I tried to make breakfast most days. I wasn’t going to give it to him. I didn’t want to interrupt his rest, but I made some for him anyway. I ate, returned upstairs, and showered. By the time I was done, the makeup artist and the stylist had arrived. One of the staff led them up to my room. Well, mine and Dominic’s. They spent quite a while getting me pretty for my graduation and left by twelve. Dominic was gone by then. He didn’t even bother to tell me congratulations. I forced down every sad feeling and went to school. My graduation ceremony was depressing. For me, at least. Everyone else had friends, family, or lovers, cheering for them. It was embarrassingly silent when my name was called and I had to take my diploma. It was so silent to the point that my classmates had to start cheering for me. I almost broke down on the stage but I reminded myself that graduating was a big milestone in my life and so was having a baby. My life was on the right track. Despite Dominic’s sour mood earlier, I was already in a better mood by the time I returned home at night. I was tired. I had the longest day ever. I opened the door to the house and stepped in. All the lights were still on. Was Dominic waiting for me? Was he finally going to congratulate me? Was it a surprise? I couldn’t help the giddy feeling that spread across my chest as I walked further and turned the corner into the living room and paused. It was a surprise all right. Right on our couch, Dominic was seated, but his hands were tangled in another woman’s hair, his lips locked with hers. My bag clattered to the ground and the two of them moved away from each other. Dominic wiped his lips, staring at me like I was an inconvenience. The woman turned to look at me and I felt the blood drain from my face. I recognized her. She was Dominic’s ex-girlfriend. The woman he swore to love forever. Victoria Sinclair.