Chapter 5

I stepped into Dominic’s grand office building, dread and anger tangled in my chest. Emma had vanished from the hospital, and the more I thought about it, the clearer one possibility became. There was only one person who would be ruthless enough to do something like this—to rip her away from me.

I clenched my fists, ignoring the pain of my nails digging into my palms, and made my way to the VIP elevator. Each floor we passed seemed to match my racing heartbeat, pounding louder as I neared his domain.

When the elevator doors slid open, his secretary glanced up, her brows shooting up in surprise. “You can’t see him right now,” she said coldly, sizing me up with a look that only added fuel to my fury.

“Tell your boss I need to see him. Now.” I forced my voice to stay steady.  Her lips pursed as she glanced at her screen, clearly unimpressed.

“Mr. Dominic is in a meeting. You should leave.” With a bitter smile, I shook off her disdain.

Not today. In a flash, I pushed past her and stormed into Dominic's office.

The plush office was bathed in sunlight, casting long shadows over Dominic, who sat at his massive desk, engrossed in a document.

“Dominic!” My voice echoed in the silence. I felt my hands tremble as I clung to the doorframe, trying to steady myself.

His secretary appeared beside me, panic in her eyes. “Sir, I tried to—”

“It’s fine,” he said sharply, his gaze never leaving mine. “Leave us.”

With one last look, she closed the door behind her, leaving us in silence. I took a deep, shaky breath.

“Where is she?” I demanded, voice cracking under the weight of my fury. He stood slowly, adjusting his tie with deliberate calm. I braced myself for his denial, expecting him to turn the blame back on me, but his chilling words left me utterly paralyzed. “She’s safe, and she’s with me, where she belongs.”

“Where she belong?” My voice rose, rage boiling inside me. “You had no right to take her from the hospital! She’s, my daughter!” His expression didn’t shift, and he took a slow, measured step toward me.

“I had every right. You couldn’t care for her, could you? Look at you, panicking and running back to me. You don’t even know how to be a mother.” The words were like a slap. My heart twisted, my fists clenching again as I struggled to keep my composure.

“I was there, I was taking care of her. You don’t get to barge into our lives and take her without even telling me! You… you just don’t have that right, Dominic!” I screamed; my whole body was trembling. He raised an eyebrow, his face a cold mask.

“Do you hear yourself?” He took another step forward, his voice a dangerous, low tone. “She was sick, and you panicked. Running through the streets barefoot with her in your arms, waving down taxis like a mad woman. You can’t take care of her, admit it.”

“You don’t get to judge me!” I hissed, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. “At least I was there for her! Where were you all this time?”

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” His tone was clipped, almost bored, as if my outburst was nothing more than an inconvenience.

I glanced around the room, desperate for something to hurl at him. That’s when my eyes landed on the coat draped over the couch—the same coat the taxi driver had worn. My stomach twisted as realization dawned.

“This… This was you?” I whispered, pointing at the coat, my voice barely audible.

He didn’t answer, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of acknowledgment. My head spun as the pieces clicked into place.

“You were the one who took me to the hospital that night, weren’t you?” I could hardly believe it. He had been right there, and I hadn’t even recognized him. “Why… why did you pretend to be a stranger?”

His jaw tightened, and for a split second, I saw something almost like regret in his eyes. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his icy composure.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said finally. “What matters is that Emma is safe, and I’m not leaving her care up to someone who can’t handle the responsibility.” The words stung, cutting deeper than I thought possible. It took moments to control my self.

“I want to see her,” I said finally, my voice trembling with barely suppressed rage.

“She’s resting. You can see her when she’s well enough.” I felt my fists tighten again, the frustration building.

“No, I’m not going to wait until you decide it’s convenient! She’s my daughter too, Dominic. I have every right to be with her.” He tilted his head, studying me with that detached, calculating look.

“You have every right,” he agreed, his tone mocking, “as long as you prove you can handle it.”

“Prove it?” I repeated, my voice low, trembling with fury. Why was he doing that? Just punishing me for a slap? Of course this could be the reason.

He walked back to his desk, picking up the file he’d dropped when I first entered.

“Stay with me.”

My breath caught as I took a step back, the room spinning around me. He was using my daughter to manipulate me, to bend me to his will.

“Think about it,” he said, a twisted smile creeping onto his face. “You want to see your daughter? You want her back? You’ll do what I say.” Anger surged through me, making my vision blur.

“You’re a monster, Dominic! You marry me just for your fiancé. You always wanted to end this relation and now when I want that too, you are playing your games. You think I’ll just roll over and let you control me?” My lips wavered; I barely held my tears. I had to fight, fight for my daughter.

“You’ll do what it takes. Or you’ll lose her for good.” Hearing his cold tone, the heat of rage coursing through me, my heart pounding in my ears.

“I won’t play your games, Dominic. I’ll find a way to get her back, even if it kills me.”

“Good luck with that,” he taunted, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

I slammed the door behind me, my heart racing, fists clenched in determination. He always used me like a pawn, but not this time. I’d fight for Emma, no matter the cost. As I stormed down the hallway, each step fueled by anger, I vowed that Dominic would regret ever underestimating me.