Chapter 306: Chapter 90 Hospital Revelation

Gemma’s POV

With trembling fingers, I scrolled through my contacts until Dominic’s name appeared on the screen. Drawing in a shaky breath, I pressed call, only to be instantly redirected to voicemail. My heart plummeted. I glanced at Zander, who offered a sympathetic grimace.

"Food’s here. I’ll handle the delivery while you get yourself together," Zander declared with unwavering resolve. "You can eat while getting dressed, then I’ll drive you to the Capo’s place." His confidence far exceeded my own.

"What if he’s conducting family business with someone?" I whispered, my stomach churning with dread and possessiveness.

Zander scoffed. "Then you walk straight in, dismiss whoever it is, and reclaim your territory. Trust me, he’ll respect the boldness." Despite everything, his blunt reasoning made me laugh.

True to his promise, Zander managed the food while I rushed to make myself presentable. Between bites of perfectly prepared Italian cuisine, I applied makeup and selected an outfit that balanced professionalism with subtle allure. Clutching my purse with white knuckles, we set out into the night.

When we arrived at Dominic’s heavily fortified estate, I asked Zander to remain in the vehicle in case the situation deteriorated. The armed security guard’s response hit me like a physical blow: the Capo hadn’t been at the compound for quite some time. My thoughts spiraled. Perhaps his downtown penthouse?

Zander navigated through the city to Dominic’s high-rise sanctuary. The building’s concierge delivered identical news – Dominic hadn’t been seen at the penthouse for quite some time either. Where had he vanished to? Zoe would have answers.

I dialed her secure line, anxiety mounting with each electronic tone.

"Well, well. Look who finally remembered I exist," Zoe’s sardonic voice crackled through the encrypted connection.

"I’m not that neglectful," I countered with a weak smile.

"No? Miss Vanishing Act has the nerve to claim she’s not ungrateful?" she needled.

"You know I care about all of you," I replied, though she couldn’t witness my pout.

"I know, beautiful. What’s the emergency?" Her tone shifted to concern.

"I’m in serious trouble, Zoe. Do you know Dominic’s current location?" I asked desperately.

"Finally!" Zoe exclaimed as though she’d been anticipating this conversation for ages. "Have you checked the compound?"

"Both the estate and the penthouse. According to security, he hasn’t been at either location for quite some time."

"I heard whispers, but I don’t have specifics on his whereabouts. Have you tried his encrypted line?" Zoe inquired.

"That was my first attempt. It’s completely dead."

"Christ, don’t tell me Frost lost another secure phone," she groaned.

"Another one?" I questioned.

"Yeah, a while back, before that business trip, he misplaced his device. Still hunting for the damn thing," Zoe chuckled grimly. "Gemma, it’s late. He might be at Bee’s safe house or Nadia’s place. Why don’t you come to my apartment? We can strategize, you can crash here, and tomorrow we’ll locate your Capo."

"I don’t know if he’s still mine, Zoe," I sighed heavily. "I squandered so much time."

"Yeah, you did. No sugarcoating that truth. But come over regardless."

"Thanks, but Zander will escort me home. Just contact me if you hear from Dominic tomorrow?"

"Who’s Zander?" Zoe’s question came sharp and fast.

"Ryder’s son. He’s like family to me. I’ll introduce him properly soon," I explained. "But you’ll reach out about Dominic, right?"

"Count on it, Gemma. Get some rest and look devastating tomorrow," Zoe replied with dark humor.

After ending the call, Zander drove me back to my apartment. Once alone, the night stretched interminably ahead. Anxiety, fear, and desperate longing created a perfect storm of restlessness that made sleep impossible.

The following day, I forced myself through my morning routine and arrived at the legitimate front office, compulsively checking my phone for updates from Zoe. Hours passed in silence, the lack of communication becoming increasingly ominous. Mid-afternoon, my concentration shattered when an unexpected visitor appeared – my mother. She had never before visited my workplace, making her sudden appearance deeply unsettling.

"Willow! What a surprise!" I embraced her warmly.

"If I were you, I’d wipe that smile away immediately. I’m not here for pleasantries," she stated coldly, her expression granite-hard.

"What’s wrong, Mom?" Alarm coursed through me. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Is there somewhere private we can speak?" she asked, her demeanor radiating barely contained fury.

I guided her to the secure conference room, poured two cups of coffee, and settled at the polished table. "What’s happening?"

"Gemma, why did you allow Dominic to believe Zander is your boyfriend?" The directness of her accusation stunned me.

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw Dominic today. At the hospital," she revealed.

"Hospital? Is he injured?" Terror seized me.

"Physically, he’ll survive. Emotionally, he’s destroyed. They found him unconscious in a downtown hotel after he drank himself into a coma. And do you know why he’s drowning himself in alcohol, Gemma? Because he believes you’ve moved on with Zander."

My mother’s concern was evident, but surprisingly, it wasn’t directed at me.

"Mom, I never told anyone Zander was my boyfriend. Dominic only saw us together once, from across the street."

"Sweetheart," her tone softened dramatically, "what’s really happening here? I watch you suffer over him, and today I witnessed him suffering over you. It’s obvious how deeply you care for each other, yet you remain apart. According to Zander, it’s all because of your stubborn pride."

"Zander and his big mouth," I muttered.

"Gemma, what did I teach you about pride?" My mother’s penetrating stare demanded honesty.

"Mom..." I attempted to deflect, but there was no escaping Willow’s brutal truths.

"You’re allowing foolish pride to transform your life into nothing but agony. It’ll make you bitter and vindictive! You’re blind and deaf because of pride that’s punishing both of you. I hate watching you hurt, but you’re choosing this suffering. End it immediately." Her words unleashed my tears.

"You’re right, Mom. I’ll make this right," I promised as she pulled me close.

"Learn from this mistake. Don’t let pride damage you again. Unless you secretly enjoy the pain." She rubbed my back soothingly as I collapsed into her embrace.

After my mother departed, I dried my tears, more determined than ever to reclaim Dominic’s heart. Zoe’s continued silence was baffling. I messaged her only to receive a cryptic reply requesting patience. But patience had abandoned me long ago. It was time to seek assistance from someone who would definitely help me in my mission.