Chapter 42

DOMINIC

The memory of Maddy in Abigail's favorite dress lingered in my mind even when I tried to think of other things.

But nothing could erase it.

The annoying thing was that Maddy had looked really good in it!

I shook my head, trying to focus. There was a document in front of me but the words were floating on air.

It took me a while to realize I'd already signed. But I hadn't even read it. Something about a financial bill...

I loosened my tie, tossed the document to the side and pressed my palms against my temples. My office was dead silent but my thoughts were loud enough to make me uncomfortable.

How had it come to this?

Yesterday it was Charlie, today it was her dress.

Everything kept on reminding me of Abby, of her lying motionless in that hospital room for years. I'd stopped visiting for a while because it hurt too much and her father, Charlie Carmichael hated me for it.

I sighed, spinning my comfortable chair so I was facing the magnificent view of the city from my office.

He hated me even more for marrying Maddy. Hated me enough to break off one of the major contracts we recently signed.

I sighed again, spinning back to my desk, away from the view.

I'd seen it coming but it still hurt. Charlie was an old friend of my grandfather. I could still remember the impressed glint in his eyes when I turned the company around.

"He sees the potential in you. You're all he talks about these days," Abigail had laughingly told me back then.

How had it all come to this?

The screen on my desk phone blinked with missed calls, but I didn’t move to answer. I had nothing to say to Evelyn.

I picked up the next document while the phone buzzed with messages.

Irritatedly, I glanced at them. Majority from Evelyn, one from Theresa, three from Aunt Marlene. All saying the same thing.

When are you going to divorce her?

Why did you marry her, Dominic? You betrayed Abigail!

How do you think Abby will feel when she wakes up to find you married with an adopted kid!

I switched off the device with trembling hands. Maddy's face flashed in my head. Her genuine smile, the nervous look she got sometimes when she thought I wasn't looking and the look in her eyes today when Evelyn slapped her.

What would I even say to her? Sorry my sister humiliated you in my home? Sorry I stood there like a coward?

I leaned back, exhaling slowly.

I needed to apologize. She was still useful to me. Grandfather's will would be read soon.

I reached for my phone, thumb hovering over her name.

A sharp knock interrupted the thought.

Malcom, my bodyguard poked his auburn head in hesitantly. “Sir, forgive the intrusion, but… I thought you should know something.”

I frowned, dropping the phone. “What is it?”

“It’s about Mrs. Sinclair.”

Every muscle in my body went rigid. I steeled my fingers together.

“Go on.”

“She, uh, left the estate this morning. With Mr. Damien.”

The words hit like a sledgehammer.

I stood up so fast the chair rolled backward. “What did you say?”

Malcom swallowed with effort before continuing, “She asked him for a ride, sir. I thought...since it was Mr. Damien and...”

I didn’t hear the rest.

"You can leave," I coldly spat, waving him away. He nodded, turned and left, knowing better than to give excuses.

My vision narrowed to a single, blinding point of fury. Maddy was with Damien. She'd willingly left with him! God, hadn't I warned her?

She'd promised me just yesterday!

That fucking snake was coming for Maddy. He was repeating the same fucking thing he did with Abigail.

I snatched my phone off the desk, thumb trembling as I dialed her number. Straight to voicemail.

A muscle in my jaw twitched as I redialed.

By the third time, I was pacing. Where were they that she couldn't pick up her phone?!

I didn’t hear the knock at first.

“Sir?”

"What?!" I snapped irritatedly.

My assistant, Claire, stood hesitantly by the door, clutching her iPad.

“What?” I repeated, softening my tone a little.

She held the ipad close to her chest, her expression uneasy. “There’s something you might want to see, sir. It’s… about Mr. Damien.”

Damien again!

I gritted my teeth in annoyance, “What about him?”

She hesitated, shutting the door before stepping closer. “He’s been requesting access to the Sinclair Foundation’s archives and he somehow got it, sir.”

My pulse slowed. I slowly inched back to my chair. “Archives?”

She nodded, placing her iPad on the desk in front of me to see.

“Yes, sir. Old project files, donor lists, medical fund allocations… specifically the ones your father and grandfather oversaw. He’s already used the family credentials."

"What for?"

Claire paused, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

"I'm still finding out why, sir.”

I stared at her for a long second, something cold sliding into my chest.

Medical fund allocations...

What was he up to now?!

“Keep monitoring it,” I said finally, my voice quiet but dangerous. “If he accesses anything else, I want to know immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

She lingered a moment, like she wanted to say more, but thought better of it and left.

I banged my fist against the desk, trying to suppress the rage rising within me.

Maybe Evelyn didn't believe Damien was behind Abigail's accident but I knew the truth, I saw the smug smirk he always had around me, like a cat who'd drank the last milk.

Fucking hell.

Damien was playing a game and just like the last time with Abby, I was losing.