Chapter 2 - The Realization
Derek froze in the doorway of the clinic, his arrogant sneer instantly turning to ash. He recognized Dominic Russo. Anyone in Chicago who read the news, owned a business, or valued their life knew exactly who the man in the bespoke suit was.
Britney, oblivious to the sudden, suffocating drop in the room’s temperature, tugged on Derek’s sleeve. "Derek, babe, our appointment is down the hall—"
"Shut up," Derek hissed, his face draining of all color. He took a terrified step backward, his eyes darting from the ultrasound screen, to me, and finally resting on the lethal crime boss standing at my side.
Dominic didn't raise his voice. He didn't even move. He simply turned his head, his dark, dead-eyed gaze locking onto my ex-fiancé like a predator isolating a wounded animal.
"I asked a question," Dominic murmured, the gravelly vibration of his voice making the hair on my arms stand up. He snapped his fingers once.
The two massive men in dark suits stepped out of the room, completely blocking the hallway exits. Derek was trapped.
"Mr. Russo," Derek stammered, sweat immediately breaking out on his forehead. "I... I didn't know. I was just making a joke earlier. At the café. We used to be engaged."
"Engaged," Dominic repeated softly, rolling the word around as if it tasted like poison. He looked back at me, piecing together the timeline with terrifying precision. "This is the man who left you two weeks before the Starlight Gala."
"Yes," I whispered.
May you like
Dominic’s jaw tightened. A terrifying, cold shadow fell over his handsome features.
"So let me understand this," Dominic said, slowly closing the distance between himself and Derek. "You abandoned her. And today, you publicly humiliated the woman carrying my firstborn child, calling her 'fat' in a crowded room while she protected my bloodline."
