The rhythmic hum of the private jet did nothing to quiet the storm raging in Dominic's mind. He sat in one of the plush leather seats, staring out the window at the endless stretch of sky, but all he could see was the past.
Haven Cove. Camille Rivers.
It had been ten years since he left that town behind. Ten years since he had walked away from the only woman who had ever made him feel like more than just the sum of his wealth. He had convinced himself it was for the best—that she was better off without him. But now, with the weight of his diagnosis pressing down on him, all he could think about was her.
And the what-ifs.
"You sure about this?" Nathan Cole's voice pulled him back to the present.
Dominic turned to his right-hand man, his closest friend in a world where trust was a rare commodity. Nathan leaned against the built-in bar, arms crossed, his expression a mix of concern and skepticism.
"You drop off the radar for a year, and the board is going to panic," Nathan continued. "They'll assume the worst. Hell, they'll know the worst if you disappear now."
Dominic exhaled slowly. "Let them assume whatever they want."
Nathan's brows shot up. "That's not like you."
No, it wasn't. He had spent years building his reputation—ruthless, unstoppable, untouchable. But none of that mattered if his days were numbered.
"I don't care about the company right now," Dominic admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I need to go back."
Nathan studied him for a long moment before sighing. "This is about her, isn't it?"
Dominic didn't answer. He didn't have to.
Nathan let out a low whistle. "Ten years is a long time. You sure she even wants to see you?"
No. He wasn't sure of anything. Camille could slam the door in his face. She could tell him to go to hell, and he wouldn't blame her. But he had to try.
Nathan rubbed a hand down his face. "And what if she's moved on?"
Something in Dominic's chest twisted at the thought.
"Then I'll leave," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "But I need to see her first."
Nathan shook his head, muttering something under his breath before grabbing a tumbler of whiskey. "You always were a stubborn bastard."
Dominic smirked faintly. "That's why you work for me."
Nathan huffed a laugh but didn't argue.
As the jet soared toward Haven Cove, Dominic felt something shift inside him. Fear, anticipation, maybe even hope.
For the first time in a decade, he was going home.