Chapter 9

Some said Dominic only married Bianca for fun and would discard her once the child was born.

Others leaked that Dominic hadn't even registered the marriage with Bianca; the wedding was merely a show to appease her.

Public opinion was divided, with everyone holding their own views, some even placing bets on the outcome.

Behind her phone screen, Bianca watched the swirling rumors, her heart slowly sinking.

Though it was Dominic who had pursued her first, she had approached Adeline from the very beginning with the sole ambition of usurping the title of "Mrs. Dominic."

Being belittled like this felt as if her deepest, hidden motives had been exposed.

Furthermore, she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but ever since Adeline left, Dominic’s treatment of her had gradually changed. He was no longer as attentive as before.

If the old Dominic granted her every wish, the current Dominic seemed to have lost his fervor.

Now, even her friends were starting to ask her about the netizens' speculations. In the past, Dominic would have personally stepped in, clarified the rumors, and deleted the posts immediately.

But now...

Bianca lay in bed, her mind a chaotic mess and her head feeling groggy. She didn't even notice when Dominic woke up.

"What are you looking at?" Suddenly, a hand reached from behind, moving up her clothes as Dominic’s kisses fell densely across her neck.

As the man's touch grew more unrestrained, Bianca abruptly pushed him away. "No, I'm still pregnant."

Dominic frowned, but ultimately said nothing. He simply stroked her hair. "Then sleep for a while."

Seeing him turn to leave, Bianca finally spoke. "Have you seen what they're saying online?"

Dominic’s hand paused while dressing. "More of those entertainment gossips? Don't worry, I'll have someone take them down immediately."

Within three minutes, the internet was scrubbed clean.

Seeing his swift action, Bianca felt both moved and conflicted.

Dominic, however, didn't bother to look at her again. He merely stroked her cheek, as if playing with a cat. "Be good. Wait for me at home."

He walked out.

The assistant was already waiting outside. "Mr. Dominic."

Dominic said nothing and got straight into the car.

Opening his phone, he habitually checked his call logs with Adeline; it was still a blank slate. None of his messages had been replied to.

His brow furrowed tightly as an inexplicable irritability surged within him.

Having been with Adeline for ten years, he knew her character perfectly. Given how much she loved him, she was bound to lose her cool and come looking for him first.

After all, that was how it always went. Even though she suffered because of his betrayals, hadn't she endured it every single time?

But this time was different.

Dominic gripped his phone, his usually smiling eyes now dark and clouded.

"Mr. Dominic," the assistant called out.

Dominic snapped back to reality and picked up a newspaper. "Has my wife called you?"

The assistant was taken aback, realizing he meant Adeline. "The Madam only said she was going on a trip. She’s likely still clearing her head."

Dominic looked out the window; it was already snowing.

He had intended to ask if she was enjoying her trip and tell her not to overthink the rumors—that they were all fake.

But his calls remained unanswered.

Could it be that she was so heartbroken over the divorce that she was refusing to answer?

Truly a childish temper.

Thinking this, Dominic’s frustration vanished, and the corners of his mouth tilted up unintentionally.

Since that was the case, he would just have to coax her properly when she returned. After all, she loved him so much; how could she ever bear to let anyone else have him?

Having made up his mind, Dominic decided to give Adeline a surprise.

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He hired top-tier event designers to re-plan a grand wedding banquet.

In half a month, when Adeline returned, she would surely be moved.

To this end, Dominic spent the next few days entirely with Bianca.

Bianca had been feeling insecure, but Dominic’s sudden warmth reassured her. He kept her by his side constantly, acting as if he couldn't bear to be apart for a second.

He even personally decorated the nursery and accompanied her to prenatal checkups. All of this made Bianca feel that her goal of becoming the true Mrs. Dominic was within reach.

However, after acting for half a month, Dominic’s patience was wearing thin.

On the day of the planned banquet, Dominic lied to Bianca, saying he was going on a business trip, when he was actually heading to the wedding venue.

Before going, he stopped by the office to handle a backlog of documents, sending his assistant ahead to supervise the decorations.

He had personally selected a wedding dress and jewelry for Adeline and had his assistant prepare numerous gifts, instructing everyone to attend in formal attire.

Dominic planned to return to Adeline’s side after the ceremony, remarry her, and stay by her side faithfully.

If she wanted a child, once Bianca’s baby was born, they could adopt it under her name. Or they could have another one of their own.

Thinking of that lost child made Dominic’s chest feel tight. That was the baby Adeline had longed for. He had looked forward to it for a long time too, but he hadn't expected...

Dominic forced himself to stop thinking about it. As long as Adeline came back, there was still a chance to fix everything.

He sent Adeline a message asking what time her flight landed so he could pick her up. Then, he immersed himself in work until 7 PM.

At the venue, everything had been flown in. Per Adeline’s taste, there was a silk wedding gown and a massive crystal glass shoe display in the center, filled with the gifts he had prepared for her.

Dominic wanted to use today to let Adeline know he was coming back to her.

Imagining the look of happiness on Adeline’s face, Dominic couldn't help but smirk. She would surely throw herself into his arms and cry with joy.

Time ticked by. All the guests had arrived, but there was no sign of Adeline.

Dominic began to feel restless. Anxiety and panic intertwined in his heart as he reached for his phone.

He called five or six times, but no one picked up. The WeChat messages he sent also sank into the void.

For ten years, Adeline had always replied and answered instantly; she had never lost contact with him.

Recalling Adeline’s state of mind recently, Dominic finally realized something was wrong.

She hadn't reached out to him in a long time, hadn't smiled at him, and her eyes had grown increasingly dim. She had even mentioned wanting to leave.

Dominic’s heart gave a violent jolt, and the smile froze on his lips.

The people around him sensed the change in atmosphere; trembling with fear, they backed away silently to keep their distance.

"Get the car," Dominic ordered coldly, turning to sit in a high chair, staring at the entrance in silence.

The aura around him was bone-chilling. The banquet hall fell into a dead silence; no one dared to even breathe loudly.

Dominic scrolled through his chat history with Adeline. He realized that since their divorce, she hadn't initiated a single message.

His fingers curled slightly, and he frowned deeply as his unease intensified.

He looked toward the door just as his assistant, pale-faced, walked in alone.

"Mr. Dominic, the Madam wasn't seen at the airport," the assistant whispered in his ear.

Dominic struggled to suppress his emotions, his voice icy. "Send men to the hospital to watch her mother."

"Let's go. To the airport."

The airport was bustling with people. Dominic and his men stood like a dark cloud at the arrival gate.