Page 175 of My Big, Fat, Accidental Billionaire Husband

Free.

No matter what happens.

God, I love her.

47

Tatiana

Istare at the business proposal in front of me, trying to process Dom’s words through the sudden roaring in my ears.

My own consulting company.

A legitimate contract with Serenity Shores.

No strings attached.

And then there’s the other part... the part where he just said he loves me. The man who tried to trade me to his brother like a baseball card is now sitting across from me, his dark eyes vulnerable, his voice raw with emotion, telling me he loves me.

I take a careful sip of my coffee, buying time while my brain scrambles to form coherent thoughts. The café around us continues its gentle hum of conversation and clinking silverware, but it feels distant, as if we’re in our own little bubble of emotional chaos.

“When you told me I was important to you, and then you failed me utterly at dinner the next day... it almost broke me,” I finally say, my voice steadier than I feel. “But I also see you owning that failure... owning all of it. I see the change.”

Dom leans forward slightly, hope flickering in his eyes. The cut on his lip from his fight with Nico shines a bright, painful red.

“The thing is, Dom,” I continue, “I’m terrified of trusting you again. My ex leaving me at the altar was one thing. But what you did—” I swallow hard. “Setting me up with your brother after making me believe there was something real between us? That was something else entirely.”

His jaw tightens, shame washing over his features. “I know. It was unforgivable.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” I close the portfolio, running my fingers over its smooth leather surface. “I need to know why. Not the surface reason. The guilt over your brother. The deeper why. Why would you sabotage something that was starting to feel real? It can’t be just guilt.”

Dom takes a deep breath, and for once, he doesn’t deflect or retreat into cold control.

“Because it was starting to feel too real,” he admits. “And real means vulnerable. Real means I could fail you, just like I failed Nico. Real means caring so much that losing you would destroy me.” He looks down at his hands. “So I destroyed it first. I told myself you deserved someone better than me. Someone who could never hurt you. Someone stronger than me. Someone who wasn’t a coward. Someone who could stand up to his little brother. I wasn’t that man. At least not a few days ago.”

God, we’re both so fucked up.

“Self-sabotage.” I nod slowly. “I’m familiar with the concept. Though my version usually involves ice cream at 2 AM, not elaborate betrayal schemes.”

A surprised laugh escapes him, relief visible in the slight relaxation of his shoulders.

“I love you,” I say quietly, the words slipping out before my brain can engage its usual caution filters. “That’s the worst part of all this. I fell in love with you somewhere along the way. And I hate that I still love you, even after what you did.”

Dom goes completely still, his eyes widening. “You love me?”

“Unfortunately.” I attempt a smile, though it feels wobbly. “My therapist is going to have a field day with this one.”

“Tatiana,” he breathes, and the way he says my name, like it’s the most precious thing in the world, makes my chest ache.

“I’m not saying we can just pick up where we left off,” I warn him. “Trust is earned. And you’ve got a significant deficit in your trust account at the moment.”

“I understand.” He nods, earnest in a way I’ve rarely seen him. “I’ll spend every day making deposits if you’ll let me.”

“Financial metaphors? Now you’re speaking my language.” I check my Cartier watch. “I should go. I really do have that meeting.”

Dom looks stricken. “So that’s it?”

“For now.” I stand, gathering my purse and the portfolio. “But I’m taking this with me to review properly. And...” I hesitate, heart hammering. “I’m free tonight. If you wanted to continue this conversation.”

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