Chapter Thirty Two
Damien’s POV
I don’t know how I let Vanessa browbeat me into taking the family to dinner at a trendy restaurant across town. It was crowded, overpriced and disappointing–a complete waste of time.
Only half my attention was on the road as I tried to block out Bonnie and Vanessa’s bickering in the backseat.
My company’s sales had plummeted these past three months, and I was running out of excuses to give the shareholders. I contemplated various strategies and schemes as I drove.
My phone rang from the cupholder.
It was my assistant.
I groaned before answering–she never brought good tidings.
“Miss Wilson, this better be important.” I said tersely.
“Good evening, Mr. Kent.” Her voice was filled with apprehension. “I apologize for calling so late, but I thought you’d want to hear what I discovered immediately.”
“Then spit it out.”
“Mr. Brown’s secretary told me that our shareholders were preparing to withdraw funding.” She spoke in a nervous whisper. “It sounds like they’re planning a mass exodus.”
My blood pressure shot through the car’s roof.
“Why would they do something so absurdly rash?” I said, my voice rising.
She faltered. “Because of Rosemary.”
I was sick of hearing that name.
“Explain.” I barked.
“They haven’t been able to contact her.” Miss Wilson hesitated for a beat. “And they’ve lost faith in your ability to sign her with our company.”
I took a deep breath to calm down.
It didn’t work.
“Did your source mention when the shareholders would be leaving?” I asked through clenched teeth.
“She wasn’t sure, but said it would be soon. They want to sell their shares quietly before our stock prices drop further.”
I flung my phone onto the passenger seat.
“For fuck’s sake, Rosemary.” I hissed. “When I find out who you are, you’ll wish you were never born.”
My grip on the steering wheel was deathly tight.
No matter how much digging I did, I couldn’t reach Rosemary. Now I needed to pull a rabbit out of my ass because of her or I’d lose everything.
The noise in the backseat got louder as Bonnie whined.
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Chapter Thirty Two
“But I want to watch Candy Floss Friends!”
“Well, you can’t,” Vanessa said. “I’m using my phone.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror, frowning. Bonnie grabbed the phone and clenched it to her chest. Vanessa struggled to pry it out of her hands.
She screeched loudly. “Give that back! You can watch your cartoon when we’re home.”
Her high–pitched voice grated on my last nerve.
“Stop fighting and quiet down, you two.” My voice boomed “You’re giving me a headache.”
Bonnie screamed. “I want Candy Floss Friends! Auntie Vanessa isn’t-”
“I. Don’t. Care.” Vanessa shouted back. “Give me back my phone, you little brat.”
My blood boiled as they ignored me.
“I said quiet–shit!”
The moment I saw the red light, I slammed on breaks.
But it was too late.
The wheels locked, and the car skidded. Vanessa yelled as she was thrown forward violently, slamming into the back of the passenger’s seat.
We fell into silence as the car screeched to a standstill in the middle of an interaction.
I took a deep, steadying breath and turned around.
Bonnie sat stock still and silent in her car–seat. Vanessa’s hands clutched her stomach as she struggled back into the seat. Her face was paper white.
“Look what you two have done.” I scolded. “How can you fight while-”
“Oh my god our baby.” Vanessa wailed.
I couldn’t believe my ears.
“What did you just say?”
Tears fell from her face and tremors wracked her body.
“I’m pregnant, Damien.” Her voice choked as she cradled her belly. “What if that hurt our baby?”
My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.
Vanessa was a temporary mother for Bonnie. I had only intended to keep her around until I could secure a more suitable partner. This was supposed to be a fun fling.
Now it was just another problem.
“When did you find out?” I asked coldly.
She replied timidly. “It’s been about two months. I wanted to tell you after I passed the three–month mark safely.”
I sat back in my seat and slammed my fists on the steering wheel.
This was a disaster.
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Chapter Thirty Two
“What if the baby got hurt?” she asked, whimpering.
I snarled. “If you were so worried, you should have worn a fucking seatbelt.”
She put on her seatbelt as I turned on the ignition.
“Are we going to the hospital? We need to check if our baby is okay.”
My face twisted into a deep frown.
“No, I have to work.” I said as I pulled off. “You can take yourself in the morning.”
“But, babe, the-”
I cut her off.
“Shut it, Vanessa. You caused this accident.” I shouted. “You’re going tomorrow and that’s final.”
My mind was in screaming turmoil as I drove the rest of the way home. By the time I reached my driveway, I had decided.
Vanessa and that baby had to be dealt with swiftly.
