His Mistress is His Ex-Wife

Chapter 344: A Rival Acting Like A Friend

The Next Day...

Miguel summoned Dominique to his study.

"What are you going to do now?"

Miguel had an indescribable expression on his face while questioning Dominique.

"This time... I’ll avenge my family and make Alfonso Williams pay for his crime. This is my only goal. I’ll deal with him by myself."

His words were filled with determination.

Miguel nodded in understanding. "If you need my help, just don’t hesitate to tell me. You can use all my resources. After all, you are becoming the next leader of the Ivankov Clan."

Dominique put on a faint smile when he heard that. "Dad, I want to grab this chance to express my gratitude toward you. I owed you a lot. Without your help, I won’t be able to rise up again after that tragedy. You never fail to support me... I know I have to return the favor; that’s why I accepted your offer of becoming your heir. However..."

Miguel frowned in confusion. ’Did he change his mind?’

"Vladimir is still your biological son. I hope you will reconcile with him. Please don’t hate him for choosing to love Sabrina. She is an amazing woman. I know you also love Aaron, treating him as your grandson. Why don’t you give them a chance to be part of your family?"

Miguel was at a loss for words. He couldn’t understand why Dominique was speaking up for Vladimir. His son was his rival, so why did Dominique start defending him?

"What are you trying to say here, Dom?"

"Dad... Vladimir is your rightful heir. I will no longer compete with him. I hope you can still fix your relationship with your children. Vladimir and Lanny have been serving you for several years. You have to acknowledge their efforts. Don’t hate them for disobeying you once; instead, try to understand them and their feelings. After all, they are still your biological children."

Miguel didn’t know what to say upon hearing that. He didn’t want to admit it, but Dominique’s words made sense.

"Does it mean you won’t accept my offer of becoming my heir?"

Dominique bobbed his head. "Yes. I have to refuse, Dad. I’m sorry. I have another plan. Besides, I don’t think I can lead your organization. I am not suited for this position."

Miguel could only heave a sigh of defeat. "Fine. I understand. I will respect your decision. I will also try to reconcile with Vladimir and Lanny."

Little did they know, someone had overheard their conversation. Vladimir went to visit his father to confront him about something. He was supposed to enter the study room when he heard his name being mentioned by Dominique.

Instinctively, he paused on his track and decided to listen. He didn’t expect Dominique to convince his father to reconcile with him. Before they could find out that he was there, Vladimir immediately left, his mind filled with conflicting thoughts.

For several minutes, he just stood outside the villa, waiting for Dominique to finish his conversation with his father.

It did not take long before Dominique ran into him at the entrance door.

"Vladimir," Dominique uttered his name in surprise. "Are you here to see your father?"

Vladimir turned to look at him, his expression unreadable.

"Yes. Is he inside?" Vladimir pretended not to know that Miguel was in the house.

"You can see him in his study room," Dominique replied.

Vladimir simply nodded.

He was about to walk past him when Dominique spoke up again. "Vladimir, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Vladimir was startled for a moment, halting on his steps. After contemplating for a second, he finally agreed to talk to him alone. He wanted to know what Dominique was going to say to him.

The two of them chose the isolated area of the villa, making sure that no one would disturb them.

Vladimir leaned on the wall, crossing his arms as he waited for Dominique to speak up first. For a few seconds, they were engulfed by an awkward silence.

"I’m here to talk to you about Sabrina," Dominique started.

Vladimir frowned, pursing his lips in annoyance. "What is it?"

Dominique smiled faintly. "Calm down, Vladimir. I’m not here to pick a fight with you. I just want to ask you for a favor."

"What do you want?" he asked him coldly.

Dominique averted his gaze somewhere else. Then he continued, "Before Sabrina’s father died, he requested something. I could no longer fulfill his last wish, so I am here to ask you this. Please, protect Sabrina’s smile. Keep her happy always. I’m leaving her in your care. I failed to do it. So–"

"You don’t have to ask me this. I am going to make her happy and protect her always! I’m different from you. I will never make her cry," Vladimir responded, cutting off Dominique’s words.

Dominique gave him a grateful look. "I feel at ease now, knowing Sabrina has someone like you by her side. I am counting on you, Vladimir. Please love her... and our son, Aaron. Take care of them."

Vladimir didn’t know why, but he became more irritated even though Dominique had finally given up on Sabrina. The way he spoke those words seemed like he was going to disappear from Sabrina and Aaron’s lives completely.

He should feel grateful for that. However, Vladimir couldn’t help but feel skeptical about the way Dominique was acting like this.

"Even if I’m marrying Sabrina, I won’t forbid you from seeing your son, Aaron. He still treats you as his father. I hate to admit it, but I know that... he likes you more than me."

"Thanks. I truly appreciate it. But rest assured, I will no longer be a hindrance to you. Sabrina will be happier with you. You will also become Aaron’s stepdad. Please don’t hate him just because I’m his biological father."

"I don’t hate him!" Vladimir spat back. "It’s just that... I don’t know how to deal with a child," he accidentally admitted, lowering his gaze from embarrassment.

’Damn it?! What am I saying?! Why do I have to say this to this man?’ Vladimir lamented inwardly.

Meanwhile, Dominique suddenly burst out laughing.

"Why are you laughing? Is there something funny?" Vladimir snarled at him, grabbing Dominique’s collar. He felt like Dominique started making fun of him.

Dominique simply tapped his hand and replied, "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that. I didn’t expect you to be honest with me. Now, I do understand why you can’t get along well with Aaron and Kimmy."

This time, Dominique stopped laughing and looked at Vladimir with a serious expression.

"Vladimir, to make Sabrina happy, you have to love the people around her. Aaron is very important to her. Try to bond more with Aaron. You have to learn how to interact and play with the kids. Sooner or later, you will have a child of your own... You shouldn’t only become the best husband for Sabrina, but you also need to be a good father to her children. I know I have no right to lecture you... It’s just that I am now rooting for you... to make her happy."

Vladimir was at a loss for words. He finally loosened his grip on Dominique’s collar until he let him go. He hated it, but Dominique’s words were genuine and sincere.

Gritting his teeth, Vladimir just pushed him away. "I know! You don’t have to worry about that. I will do my best to make Sabrina happy. I will cherish her and protect her... including her loved ones!"

Without waiting for Dominique’s response, Vladimir turned around to leave. The more he spoke to him, the more he began to see him in a different light.

’What’s wrong with him? He is my rival! Why the hell is he acting like a friend to me?! I really hate this side of him.’

Meanwhile, Dominique could only smile in sorrow as he watched Vladimir’s retreating back.

’I feel at ease now. But my heart is still in pain. Giving up on Sabrina is the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. But still, I am really hoping to see her happy. I caused her pain. I broke her heart. I don’t deserve her anymore. Time to wake up from my sweet dreams. Sabrina and I can never be together. Maybe this is our fate. Maybe she was right. Our love story ended the moment she jumped off that bridge... five years ago.’