Page 149 of The Bonus

A lead ball sits in my stomach, my life is a mess.

Fuck…

19

Grace

The sound of Dom’s regulated breathing sounds through his bedroom like a drone. The sun is just peeking through the curtains, and I don’t think I slept a wink all night.

How can I be married to someone else while knowing that I still have feelings for you.

I exhale heavily. I don’t need this drama in my life, and after freaking out all night, I have made a decision. I’m not thinking about it again.

I slowly climb out of bed, put my robe on and go to the bathroom. I catch sight of myself in the mirror and cringe, oh hell…I look like crap. I wash my face, tie my hair up into a bun and make my way downstairs.

“Good morning,” I hear his deep voice purr.

Glancing up, I see Gabriel standing at my coffee machine, he’s freshly showered and wearing navy suit pants, his white shirt is open and his tanned broad chest and torso are on display.

I am instantly reminded of our mornings back in his office.

“Coffee?” He raises his eyebrow in question.

“What are you doing?” I pull the cords of my robe tighter, suddenly feeling very exposed.

“What does it look like?” He holds his coffee cup up.

“It looks like you are being a poser, that’s what.”

He gives me a slow sexy smile as he sips his coffee. “I should ask what are you doing.”

“What do you mean, what am I doing?”

“Why are you wearing that hideous dressing gown?”

My mouth falls open as I look down at myself. “This is a beautiful dressing gown,” I gasp.

“If you’re ninety.”

“Listen . . .”

“We need to talk.” He cuts me off.

“You’re damn right we do,” I whisper.

“I have to go back to New York, but I’ll be back on the weekend.” He sips his coffee casually. “We can tell the children then.”

“Tell them?”

“I’ve made the decision and I am staying in their lives; you can’t ask me not to. I am their father, Grace; I want them to know. My new life with them needs to start, and I’m not putting this off any longer.”

My heart sinks and I know he’s right, I can’t fight this anymore, the writing is already on the wall. I nod in resignation.

“I move into my new place on Saturday,” he continues.

“Your new place?” I frown.

“I’ve rented a property in town.”

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