Chapter 43 Chapter 43
Dominic's Pov
The house creaked beneath the silence. Every step I took up the stairs was calculated, slow and deliberate. My heart had tensed up out of rhythm and my throat bulged as I swallowed. The darkness was not just an absence of light, it was palpable, dense and enough to choke someone. The only light came from the soft glow of the streetlamp shining through the blinds on the first floor, painting skeletal fingers of light up and down the walls.
The stairs creaked underfoot and I tried to be careful with my steps. I ran my hand over the banister, cold as a corpse. I thought I saw a shadow move past and I stopped in my tracks. Heart beating fast, I searched into the darkness but everywhere grew still, then the light flipped off and on again. My breath caught in my chest. No footsteps. No sound. Just that damn light spoofing me. Who the hell was in my house?
As I walked further, I bumped into something. There was a flower vase just by the side and I had run into it. It wasn't exactly a weapon material but I would make do with what I have. I picked it up and moved towards the master bedroom, my footsteps soundless on the gleaming wood floor. The door stood slightly ajar, its edge open like a yawning mouth into the blackness. I nudged it open with one finger.
Everywhere was pitch black. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. The light switch was on the opposite side of the room. I moved stiffly, every step taut with tension, every breath shallow. My eyes scanned the darkness, moving from shadow to shadow.
Step by step. Then just as I approached the wall a voice called out of no where,
"Don't move."
The voice had been behind me. Low. Controlled. Indisputably human.
I froze, my face growing pale. With the nature of my work, I was used to being in danger, yet something about the voice was too close, too controlled and aware. I tried to calm my breathing, but it cramped out of me in short, panicky gasps.
My lips parted to speak something, to plead, but the silence cut them apart. And then out of nowhere, someone broke into a laugh. A laugh I recognized.
The lights flashed on with a suddenness that almost blinded me. I whirled around and came face to face with the last person I would have guessed.
"Mum?"
She stood there, arms crossed, with a huge grin on her face like she'd just won at poker. “You should've seen your face, Dom." She said, rolling into another feat of laughter. My legs weakened. Relief hit me so hard I almost staggered. "What the hell, Mum?
“What's life without a little fun?" she teased, moving in and wrapping her arms around me.I hesitated, and then I held her close, tucking my face into the curve of her shoulder for an instant. Her scent; lavender and mint, hit me like a reassurance I hadn't realized I needed. She smelt like home, her perfume the same scent I had always known.
"Welcome home," I whispered, releasing her so that I could see her.
She smiled up at me, eyes shining. "I've missed you, boy.".
We hugged again. My heart still pounding from the terror, but I let out a shaky breath and relaxed. It wasn't a break in after all. We walked back to the kitchen, the lights were warm, and I pulled out a bottle of red wine, pouring two glasses.
She took hers and sat down at the dining table, her movements calm and controlled. That glint in her eye hadn't dissipated.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? When did you come in? Why exactly?" I asked, sipping my wine.
“Easy now. One at a time.”
I chuckled. “Okay let's start from when you came in.” I replied.
"Nine. I was hoping to catch you at home sooner, but you weren't here. It was so unlike you to be out so late, so I waited."
I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck. "And thought you'd scare me half to death waiting?"
She laughed, made a toast in the air and then sipped her wine. "Guilty."
I chuckled softly. Her sense of humor had always caught me off guard. Even today, when the world appeared to be crumbling beneath my feet, she managed to find a way to bring me back to earth.
But then her smile faltered. The creases surrounding her eyes deepened and her grin faded.
"Dominic, I didn't just visit. I mean, I've been meaning to come see you but I came because I saw something. Or should I say… someone."
My body tensed. "What are you even saying?"
Standing up, she walked back to the loving room and returned with her bag. She rummaged in her handbag and pulled out her phone, scrolling for a moment or two before handing it to me.
"Here."
I stared.
It was a little girl in front of a window, sunlight bathing over her hair. She had big eyes, a soft mouth, and a comparable curve to her jaw.
But that wasn't what struck me, it was the resemblance then I noticed.
This kid—this girl—was the spitting image of what I was when I was her age. She shared my eyes. My goddamn facial structure. My whirlwind hair. I could see it all like someone had taken the photo of my childhood and painted it in pastel colors.
My entire self stood still.
"Where did you find this?" I rasped, my throat dry.
“A girl that my friend encountered out of state. I had this interview and I went for a publicity shoot. Remember Aunty Rosa? Well, they are scouting for children models and the lady showed her this picture. The moment she saw it she said it reminded her of you and so when I visited, she showed it to me. Then I called for the girl and asked about the father. She didn't even know who the parents were, she just said it's the child of her sister's boss. I didn’t push further so that it doesn't begin to look creepy but I have no doubt she's yours."
I stared at the child again but all I saw was my goddam face staring back at me.
"How old is she?"
"Judging by her looks, she should be six, or maybe seven"
I swallowed hard. Six. Just about the time I started cheating on Liana. My mind flashed back to a one night stand I had at a party years ago, but I have had multiple of those in the past years. I am usually very careful but judging by how rich I am, if a girl got pregnant for me, she wouldn't have buried it.
No. It couldn't be. I shook my head. "I… I always used protection. Always."
"Are you sure?"