Chapter 3 - The Man Vanessa Paid
Damian reached the cottage in less than three minutes.
Two security officers were with him.
Marco Reyes was still on the porch.
He smiled when Damian approached.
“Well.”
“The billionaire himself.”
Damian’s voice was flat.
“Leave.”
Marco laughed.
“I have rights.”
“You have a daughter you abandoned.”
“That’s between me and Elena.”
“No.”
Damian glanced at security.
“It became my business when you entered my property without permission.”
Marco’s confidence slipped.
Then he pulled a folded document from his jacket.
“I’m seeking custody.”
Elena opened the cottage door.
“You what?”
Marco looked past Damian.
“There she is.”
Mia hid behind Elena’s legs.
Elena shook with anger.
“You haven’t seen her in two years.”
“I’m changing.”
“You didn’t know she turned three today!”
Marco’s face tightened.
Vanessa appeared at the edge of the path.
Everyone turned.
She looked surprised.
Too surprised.
Damian noticed.
“Vanessa.”
“What’s happening?”
Marco answered before anyone else could.
“Ask your fiancé.”
Vanessa frowned.
“I’m sorry?”
Marco stared at her.
“You told me you’d handle him.”
Silence.
Vanessa’s face changed.
Only for a second.
Then she laughed.
“I have absolutely no idea who this man is.”
Marco stared.
“Are you kidding me?”
Damian stepped closer.
“Marco.”
Marco pulled out his phone.
Vanessa moved instantly.
“Don’t listen to him.”
Damian’s eyes snapped toward her.
Marco held up the screen.
A payment confirmation.
$25,000.
Sender initials: V.H.
Then another.
$15,000.
Then text messages.
RETURN TO NEW YORK.
FILE FOR CUSTODY.
MAKE HER LEAVE THE ESTATE.
Elena covered her mouth.
Vanessa went pale.
“That’s fabricated.”
Marco laughed bitterly.
“You promised me fifty grand.”
“I promised you nothing.”
Marco looked at Damian.
“She found me in Florida six weeks ago.”
“She said Elena was getting too close to you.”
“She wanted her gone before the wedding.”
Elena felt physically sick.
Damian turned slowly toward Vanessa.
“Is that true?”
Vanessa’s voice became icy.
“No.”
Marco shoved his phone toward Damian.
“Check the number.”
Damian did.
He recognized it.
Vanessa’s private second line.
The same one she used for wedding vendors.
Vanessa stepped backward.
“Damian, this man is clearly unstable.”
“Security.”
Damian didn’t raise his voice.
“Escort Marco to the gate.”
Marco protested.
“What about my money?”
Damian stared at him.
“If you come near Mia again without a lawful arrangement, you’ll discuss it with attorneys.”
Marco’s shoulders dropped.
As security led him away, Elena hugged Mia.
Vanessa began walking toward the house.
Damian stopped her.
“Where are you going?”
“To bed.”
“No.”
She turned.
“What?”
“You’re going to your room.”
“You’re packing.”
“And tomorrow morning, you’re leaving.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“You’re ending our engagement over your housekeeper?”
Damian looked at Elena.
Then at Mia.
Then back at Vanessa.
“No.”
“I’m ending it because I finally heard you when you thought I wasn’t listening.”
Vanessa’s expression turned vicious.
“You think you understand what’s happening?”
“I understand enough.”
“No, Damian.”
She smiled.
“You really don’t.”
She leaned closer.
“Because if you throw me out tonight, the foundation transfer becomes public tomorrow.”
Damian froze.
Vanessa saw it.
And smiled wider.
May you like
“That’s what I thought.”
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