Page 109 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“Then tell me what it is,” I snap, my voice cracking. “Because right now, it looks like I’ve been nothing more than leverage. Did you ever plan on telling me?”

His face hardens, frustration flaring in his gaze. “You think I’ve been manipulating you?”

A bitter laugh escapes me, sharp and hollow. “It’s not just what I think—it’s what Conrad said. He’s been pulling strings, using me to get to you. And I don’t even know where you stand in all of this anymore.”

Dominic steps closer, his movements deliberate, like he’s approaching a wounded animal. “Eva, I didn’t know about Conrad’s backdoor. Not like this. I knew something was off—I’ve felt it for months—but I couldn’t prove anything. Not until you found the files.”

“You’re the one who built your company on control,” I say, stepping back as he approaches. “On knowing everything. You expect me to believe that something this big slipped right under your nose?”

“You’re right,” he admits, his tone raw. “I should have seen it sooner. I should have stopped it before it got this far. But I didn’t. And that’s on me.”

His honesty throws me off balance, but I don’t let it show. “And what about me?” I ask, my voice trembling. “Were you ever going to tell me about the risks I was walking into?”

He exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “You weren’t supposed to get dragged into this. I never wanted you to be part of this chaos, Eva. I was trying to protect you.”

“Protect me?” I echo, my voice rising. “By keeping me in the dark? By letting me walk straight into Conrad’s trap?”

“I didn’t let you walk into anything,” he snaps, his control slipping. “You made the choice to chase this story. To dig into my life, my company. You put yourself in the crosshairs before I could stop you.”

His words hit like a slap, and I recoil, my chest tightening. “Is that what you think?” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “That this is my fault?”

Dominic’s face softens, regret flickering in his eyes. “No. Eva, that’s not what I meant.”

I press my palms to my temples, trying to steady my breathing. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

Dominic closes the distance between us, his hands hovering near my arms, hesitant. “Look at me,” he says softly.

I force myself to meet his gaze, and what I see there nearly undoes me. There’s no cold, calculating billionaire standing in front of me now. There’s just a man—raw, vulnerable, and desperate for me to understand.

“I need you to believe me when I say this,” he murmurs. “I didn’t manipulate you. I didn’t use you. I care about you, Eva. More than I should. And I would burn this whole damn world down before I let Conrad or anyone else hurt you again.”

His words pierce through the fog of my emotions, but doubt lingers. “Then why does it still feel like you’re keeping something from me?”

Dominic’s jaw tightens, his gaze unwavering. “Because I don’t want you caught in the crossfire. You’ve already been dragged through hell because of me. I won’t let it get worse.”

“It’s not your choice to make,” I say firmly. “I’m in this whether you like it or not. And if you want me to trust you, you have to trust me too.”

He’s silent for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he nods. “You’re right. I need to do better. I need to let you in.”

I swallow hard, my chest aching as I process his words. “Then start now. What happens next?”

Before he can answer, his phone buzzes, slicing through the tension. He answers it quickly, his expression hardening as he listens.

“What is it?” I ask, my heart pounding.

Dominic ends the call and looks at me, his blue eyes blazing. “Adrian found something. A hidden offshore account—one that’s been funding Conrad’s entire operation.”

My breath catches. “Where?”

“Switzerland,” he says grimly. “And it’s not just a name on a screen. There’s a paper trail connecting it back to Reyes and his network.”

For the first time in hours, I feel hope stir in my chest. “So what now?”

Dominic’s jaw sets, his voice steady and resolute. “Now we follow the money. And when we find Conrad, we finish this once and for all.”

Dominic’s words hang in the air, heavy with intent.

Now we follow the money. And when we find Conrad, we finish this once and for all.

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