From Forgotten Wife To Fierce Queen - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

In a VIP ward of Harrowfell Hospital, Dominick sat by the bedside, letting the pale-faced middle-aged woman hold his hand.
"Dom, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you," the woman spoke weakly as if she'd just fought a battle.
"Dom, I didn't mean for this to happen. My mom was in critical condition and wanted to see you, so I called you," Marissa chimed in with a concerned look. She poured a glass of water and set it on the side table. "I hope I didn't disturb you."
"It's fine," Dominick replied and gently patted the woman's hand. "Mrs. Prescott, as long as you're fine."
"I'm alright, but I feel bad making you go through all this... I'm just afraid I won't make it and won't get to see you one last time," Linda said, her eyes welling up with tears. "I didn't want to burden you..."
"Mrs. Prescott, please don't say that." Dominick reassured her patiently. "When Mr. Prescott entrusted you and Marissa to our family, you became my family. It's only right for me to take care of you."
Marissa's father, a former chauffeur for the Vanderbilt family, had always taken responsibility for driving Dominick around. Linda Prescott, Marissa's mother, had been the maid who had tended to Dominick's every need since his birth.
Since their parents had worked for the Vanderbilt family, Marissa had known Dominick and his family from a young age.
Bright, charming, and well-liked, Marissa had become like a younger sister to Dominick, and Lauren even brought Marissa to their house and had her attend the same prestigious school as Dominick. Technically, Marissa and Dominick grew up together.
But tragedy struck when Marissa's father died in a car accident while driving Dominick home. On his deathbed, he asked Dominick to take care of his wife and daughter.
Hearing Dominick's words, Linda nodded, deeply moved. "I've been so lucky to have worked for a family as kind-hearted as the Vanderbilts. Honestly, if I were to die today, I wouldn't have any regrets..."
"Mrs. Prescott..." Dominick's voice softened.
"Mom." Marissa wiped away her tears. "Please stop saying things about death."
Linda waved it off and continued, her voice filled with deep emotion, "The only thing I'm worried about now is Marissa. I just want to see her get married and have children, but I don't know if I'll get that chance."
"You will." Dominick reassured her, trying to lighten the mood. "The doctor said you're getting better. Everything's going to be fine."
Linda, however, wasn't convinced. "Dom, you don't need to comfort me. I know my body better than anyone."
With that, she gripped Dominick's hand tightly, her eyes filled with pleading. "Dom, you've grown up with Marissa. I can only rest easy if I know she's in your hands. That way, I can go meet her father without worry."
"Mom, what are you saying?" Marissa's face flushed, and her voice trembled as she glanced at Dominick. "We're... Oh, geez." The words were awkward, and she seemed almost embarrassed by her mother's insistence.
But there was something in her eyes when she looked at Dominick, something that suggested more than just friendship.
Linda fixed her eyes on Dominick, waiting for his answer.
Dominick nodded firmly and answered, "Mrs. Prescott, don't worry. I'll take care of Marissa, I promise."
Linda's face lit up with relief at his words, but before she could smile fully, Dominick added, "To me, Marissa is just like Kayla."
Linda's smile froze instantly, and for a long moment, she didn't know what expression to wear.
"Mrs. Prescott, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?" Dominick asked.
Linda managed a forced smile and replied, "No, everything's fine..." She glanced at Marissa, whose expression had also turned stiff and awkward.
"Dom, my mom meant to say..." Marissa hesitated, her voice trailing off.
"Hmm?" Dominick turned to look at Marissa with clear eyes.
Marissa bit her lip, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to say it. Instead, she spoke, "Hey, aren't you supposed to be leaving for a business trip tonight? It's getting pretty late."
Just then, Julian knocked on the door and entered. "Mr. Vanderbilt, it's time to go."
Dominick checked the time, realizing it was indeed getting late. After giving Linda one last reassurance, he left the room.
Julian followed behind, but before stepping out, he exchanged a brief look with Marissa, gave a slight nod, and walked away without another word.
Marissa stood in the hallway and watched the two men disappear around the corner. Once they were out of sight, she went back into the room.
"Dear, what's going on?" Linda, lying weakly before, now sat up in bed anxiously. "You had me fake being sick to get Dominick here. Why did you do that?"
Marissa slumped into the chair, grabbed the water she'd poured for Dominick earlier, and drank it all before speaking, "Dominick's ex-wife is back."
"You mean Paisley?" Linda's eyes widened in surprise. She remembered Paisley well—a stunning woman who instantly grabbed the attention of others in a crowded room.
"She's come looking for Dominick again?" Linda asked.
Marissa shook her head. "She hasn't actively sought him out, but the way Dominick's been acting around her makes me uneasy."
If Julian hadn't told her that Dominick had gone to see Paisley with Grayson, Marissa wouldn't have known anything about it. She thought he'd be back quickly, but Julian said Dominick had gone into Paisley's house and hadn't come out since.
So, Marissa rushed to the hospital and used her mother's situation as an excuse to get Dominick to leave.
"Sweetie, maybe you should just let it go," Linda said, seeing the situation more clearly. It was obvious now that Dominick didn't have romantic feelings for her daughter. He saw Marissa as family, and nothing more.
Of course, Linda wished her daughter could marry someone like Dominick. She wanted her daughter to live a good life, but...
Linda said, "Sometimes, forcing things just doesn't work out, you know?"
Marissa shook her head stubbornly and replied, "No, Mom, I can't just give him up!"
She didn't care whether the result was good or not, as long as she got him. But more than that, she was concerned with Paisley's thoughts about Dominick.
Grayson ended up staying at Paisley's house.
Paisley called Emery not to come over in the next couple of days. While Grayson wasn't exactly Dominick, Emery still had biases against Grayson, and there was no telling what she might say in front of him.
Grayson was still just a kid, and although Paisley didn't wish Grayson to accept her, she didn't see the need to complicate things. She just wanted to get through the next few days in peace. Once Dominick came back, she'd send the kid off.
Paisley glanced at the clock, and it was time to start dinner. Since Maria was out, it was up to her to cook.
"Kids, I'll cook now. No fighting, got it?" she said while heading into the kitchen.
To her relief, the two kids could already take care of themselves, so she could leave them alone.
Grayson rolled his eyes and gave Serena a dismissive look. He wasn't about to waste his time fighting with a little kid.
Serena, though, wasn't paying attention to him. She was happily playing with her toys, completely ignoring his attitude.
After wandering around the living room and feeling bored, Grayson noticed the stairs leading up to the attic and decided to check it out.
By the time Serena looked up, Grayson was already halfway up.
Serena thought, "Where's he going? To Mom's space?"
Furrowing her brows, she got up and followed him upstairs.