Chapter 7 - Dominic’s Choice
Dominic followed Vivienne into the private office near the ballroom.
Gabriel wanted him removed, but Vivienne asked for five minutes.
She needed to hear the truth without his mother or sister speaking for him.
Dominic closed the office door.
“Please don’t make a permanent decision tonight.”
Vivienne sat carefully in a chair.
“My decision became permanent when you told me to let them search me.”
“I was trying to prevent a scene.”
“They were tearing my clothes.”
“I didn’t realize the gown would come apart like that.”
“You saw your sister pull it.”
“I froze.”
“You have been frozen for three years.”
Dominic stared at her.
“That is not fair.”
“No? Your mother called our baby an inconvenience. Chloe called me your temporary wife. They excluded me, mocked me and used my family whenever they needed money or access. Every time, you asked me to stay quiet.”
“They are difficult people.”
“They are cruel people.”
“They’re still my family.”
“So was I.”
The words settled between them.
Dominic sat opposite her.
“I never believed you stole the ring.”
“That makes it worse.”
“How?”
“You watched them humiliate someone you knew was innocent.”
He looked away.
Vivienne studied him.
“Did you know they planned the search?”
Dominic did not answer.
Her voice became quieter.
“Dominic.”
“Chloe said she wanted to teach you a lesson.”
“What lesson?”
“She thought you had been controlling the wedding because of the ballroom.”
“I approved one guest list and refused to disable the security cameras.”
“I know.”
“What did she tell you she was going to do?”
“She said she would claim something was missing. Then she would ask to look inside your bag.”
Vivienne struggled to breathe evenly.
“You knew.”
“I didn’t know about the ring. I didn’t know about the replica or the insurance.”
“But you knew she planned to accuse me.”
“I thought it would last a few minutes.”
“You allowed your pregnant wife to walk into a planned public humiliation.”
Dominic covered his face.
“I made a mistake.”
“A mistake is forgetting an anniversary. This was a decision.”
He reached for her hand.
She pulled it away.
“I love you.”
“You love the version of me that remains quiet enough to make your life easy.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Then tell me one time you chose me when choosing me required you to disappoint them.”
Dominic opened his mouth.
No answer came.
Vivienne stood.
“My lawyer will contact you.”
“Vivienne, please.”
“Our daughter will not grow up believing that silence is love.”
He began crying.
For years, that would have weakened her.
That night, it did not.
She opened the office door.
May you like
Gabriel was waiting outside.
Vivienne walked past Dominic without looking back.
