If you were in Chloe’s position, would you trust Damien, despite not knowing everything about him? Or would you keep your guard up? Let me know in the comments! 👀✨Your support means the world to me—don’t forget to comment, and share your thoughts; every interaction keeps this story alive! ❤️
CHAPTER 49 ROSE'S POV I barely took two steps into the sitting room before Damien’s mother lifted her eyes from her tea, her stare landing on me with an intensity that made my stomach tighten. "I hated whatever it was you two were doing last night," she said, her voice calm, but the underlying irritation was impossible to miss. She raised her cup, took a slow sip, then added, "Could’ve kept it down, don’t you think?” My body went rigid. Heat crept up my neck, burning my skin as mortification settled deep in my chest. Oh. My. God. The heat spread, traveling down my neck, pooling in my chest, then sinking all the way to my toes, making it impossible to stand still. I opened my mouth, closed it again, then finally stammered, "I—I’m sorry. I didn’t think—” She waved a hand, brushing it off. "Not my concern. Just saying." Another slow sip. "Walls aren’t as thick as you think.” I wanted the ground to swallow me. Muttering another apology, I spun around and hurried straight to the ki
CHAPTER 50 ROSE'S POV I froze. My pulse quickened, but I wasn’t surprised. I had already known. Damien had told me, that Lily had been trafficked. I let out a slow breath, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before I forced myself to type: Me: I know. The response came almost immediately, my screen lighting up again before I could even set the phone down. Seraphina: Oh? Getting some balls now? What happened? That man finally letting himself fuck you? I inhaled sharply, my chest tightening as my eyes stayed locked on the screen. Seraphina: Tsk. You must feel so special. Like you’re different. But you’re not. He’ll discard you when he’s done. Just like he does with everyone else. My grip on the phone tightened, my fingers pressing hard against the edges as a slow, uncomfortable heat spread through my chest. I didn’t respond, knowing that anything I said would only give her what she wanted. It wasn’t that I lacked a response. I had plenty. I just refused to give her the satis
CHAPTER 51 ROSE'S POV The next morning came with silence stretching through the house, a kind of stillness I hadn’t felt in days. Now that Damien’s mother was gone, I could finally exhale. The tension she brought into every room had disappeared with her. I shook off the lingering stress and turned my attention back to my laptop, where my research still waited for me. I’d been at it all morning—scrolling through articles on undercover journalism, jotting down notes, and piecing things together. I couldn’t just sit here pretending to play house. My work, my passion—it still lived inside me, whether or not I was tied to Damien in this bizarre arrangement. Sometime around midday, my phone buzzed beside me. Seraphina’s name lit up the screen. Can we talk? I let out a sharp breath and gripped my phone a little tighter than necessary. No need. If it’s important, just text it. I didn’t wait for her to reply. I just flipped the phone over and focused back on the screen, refusing to let
CHAPTER 52 ROSE'S POV The car rolled up in front of the amusement park, and as soon as the lights came into view—the bright glowing signs, the massive Ferris wheel turning against the night sky, and the roller coasters twisting through the air. I couldn’t help but lean closer to the window, my face nearly pressing against the glass like a kid seeing magic for the first time. “Wow,” I whispered, wide-eyed. Beside me, Damien watched me with an amused expression. “You’re acting like you’ve never seen an amusement park before.” I turned to him, still grinning. “That’s because I’ve only been here twice.” His eyebrows lifted. “Only twice? Ever?” I nodded. “Yeah. My family was super strict. We never did stuff like this. They didn’t believe in wasting time on anything remotely fun.” He blinked at me like he was trying to make sense of how that was even possible. Then he shook his head. “That’s insane. You missed out.” “Trust me, I know,” I said with a laugh. The second the car came t
CHAPTER 53 DAMIEN’S POV Life, for once, felt good. For the first time in what felt like forever, I actually felt… content. Rose and I had spent the evening at the amusement park, laughing, teasing each other, and eating nothing but junk food. It was honestly ridiculous how much fun I ended up having. She made me try everything, dragged me into the haunted house just to laugh at my reaction, forced me onto the Ferris wheel even after all my valid protests, and somehow, I didn’t hate a single second of it. I liked her. I liked her a lot more than I should have. As we walked into the penthouse, I could still see the amusement in her eyes and the leftover excitement from the night. She was smiling, and damn, I loved that smile. We made our way upstairs, and by the time we reached my room, she suddenly stopped, frowning slightly. "Why did I even follow you here?" she asked, crossing her arms. I smirked. "Instinct." She narrowed her eyes. "Instinct?" I shrugged. “You’ve been sl
CHAPTER 1ROSE'S POV“Oh, Senator Durian’s here too... wealthy motherfuckers,” I muttered under my breath, snapping a picture of him stepping out of his limousine, surrounded by a cluster of sycophants. His suit looked like it cost more than my rent for the year. I tugged at the thin strap of my camera bag and stepped deeper into the shadows by the hedge. “How predictable. A scandalous party with the usual corrupt suspects.”I checked the screen of my camera. Shots of influencers, politicians, and socialites graced the gallery. Not bad, but not good enough. My editor wanted something exclusive, something that would make headlines, and honestly, so did I.“Come on, Rose,” I whispered to myself. “You can do better than this.”Through the side entrance, a waiter pushed a cart laden with champagne flutes. I straightened up. The villa’s back entrance. My chance.My best friend and occasional partner in crime, Amy, had warned me not to take risks. "Stick to photographing guests outside. No
CHAPTER 2ROSE'S POVWhen I woke up, my body jolted like I’d been struck by lightning. My head pounded, and I shot up, glancing around the unfamiliar room."Where am I?" I demanded, my voice hoarse. Damien Sterling’s voice was infuriatingly calm. “You’re awake. Good. Now, calm down.”"Don’t tell me to calm down!" I shot back, glaring at him. He sat across from me, annoyingly composed, like he hadn’t just knocked me out minutes ago. “ Let’s start with this: who is the girl in the picture to you?”I hesitated, weighing my options. But what was the point of lying? He’d already caught me red-handed. “She’s my sister,” I said through clenched teeth.Damien’s brows lifted slightly, the first sign of genuine surprise I’d seen from him. “Your sister?”“Yes. Now answer my question—where is she?” My hands balled into fists.He leaned back, studying me like I was some sort of puzzle. “Interesting. I didn’t know she had a sister.”“You’re dodging the question!” I snapped.“And you’re too loud,”
CHAPTER 3 DAMIEN'S POV I stood at the base of the grand staircase, watching as the maids moved like clockwork, carrying suitcases and boxes up to the guest rooms. Well, not guest rooms anymore. Rose Sinclair was moving in, and I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it. Lily’s sister. I still couldn’t believe it. She didn’t look like her at all. Where Lily had been soft, delicate, and almost ethereal, Rose was bold. Sharp. And beautiful in a way that demanded attention, even if she wasn’t trying. The thought made my jaw tighten. I shouldn’t be noticing her like that. This wasn’t a relationship; it was a deal. A messy, complicated deal that could blow up in my face if I wasn’t careful. “Is this everything?” I asked one of the maids as she descended the stairs with a clipboard. “Yes, Mr. Sterling. Ms. Sinclair’s belongings are being unpacked in the east wing.” “Good.” I glanced up just as Rose stepped into view at the top of the staircase. She paused there, her hand resting lightly
CHAPTER 53 DAMIEN’S POV Life, for once, felt good. For the first time in what felt like forever, I actually felt… content. Rose and I had spent the evening at the amusement park, laughing, teasing each other, and eating nothing but junk food. It was honestly ridiculous how much fun I ended up having. She made me try everything, dragged me into the haunted house just to laugh at my reaction, forced me onto the Ferris wheel even after all my valid protests, and somehow, I didn’t hate a single second of it. I liked her. I liked her a lot more than I should have. As we walked into the penthouse, I could still see the amusement in her eyes and the leftover excitement from the night. She was smiling, and damn, I loved that smile. We made our way upstairs, and by the time we reached my room, she suddenly stopped, frowning slightly. "Why did I even follow you here?" she asked, crossing her arms. I smirked. "Instinct." She narrowed her eyes. "Instinct?" I shrugged. “You’ve been sl
CHAPTER 52 ROSE'S POV The car rolled up in front of the amusement park, and as soon as the lights came into view—the bright glowing signs, the massive Ferris wheel turning against the night sky, and the roller coasters twisting through the air. I couldn’t help but lean closer to the window, my face nearly pressing against the glass like a kid seeing magic for the first time. “Wow,” I whispered, wide-eyed. Beside me, Damien watched me with an amused expression. “You’re acting like you’ve never seen an amusement park before.” I turned to him, still grinning. “That’s because I’ve only been here twice.” His eyebrows lifted. “Only twice? Ever?” I nodded. “Yeah. My family was super strict. We never did stuff like this. They didn’t believe in wasting time on anything remotely fun.” He blinked at me like he was trying to make sense of how that was even possible. Then he shook his head. “That’s insane. You missed out.” “Trust me, I know,” I said with a laugh. The second the car came t
CHAPTER 51 ROSE'S POV The next morning came with silence stretching through the house, a kind of stillness I hadn’t felt in days. Now that Damien’s mother was gone, I could finally exhale. The tension she brought into every room had disappeared with her. I shook off the lingering stress and turned my attention back to my laptop, where my research still waited for me. I’d been at it all morning—scrolling through articles on undercover journalism, jotting down notes, and piecing things together. I couldn’t just sit here pretending to play house. My work, my passion—it still lived inside me, whether or not I was tied to Damien in this bizarre arrangement. Sometime around midday, my phone buzzed beside me. Seraphina’s name lit up the screen. Can we talk? I let out a sharp breath and gripped my phone a little tighter than necessary. No need. If it’s important, just text it. I didn’t wait for her to reply. I just flipped the phone over and focused back on the screen, refusing to let
CHAPTER 50 ROSE'S POV I froze. My pulse quickened, but I wasn’t surprised. I had already known. Damien had told me, that Lily had been trafficked. I let out a slow breath, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before I forced myself to type: Me: I know. The response came almost immediately, my screen lighting up again before I could even set the phone down. Seraphina: Oh? Getting some balls now? What happened? That man finally letting himself fuck you? I inhaled sharply, my chest tightening as my eyes stayed locked on the screen. Seraphina: Tsk. You must feel so special. Like you’re different. But you’re not. He’ll discard you when he’s done. Just like he does with everyone else. My grip on the phone tightened, my fingers pressing hard against the edges as a slow, uncomfortable heat spread through my chest. I didn’t respond, knowing that anything I said would only give her what she wanted. It wasn’t that I lacked a response. I had plenty. I just refused to give her the satis
CHAPTER 49 ROSE'S POV I barely took two steps into the sitting room before Damien’s mother lifted her eyes from her tea, her stare landing on me with an intensity that made my stomach tighten. "I hated whatever it was you two were doing last night," she said, her voice calm, but the underlying irritation was impossible to miss. She raised her cup, took a slow sip, then added, "Could’ve kept it down, don’t you think?” My body went rigid. Heat crept up my neck, burning my skin as mortification settled deep in my chest. Oh. My. God. The heat spread, traveling down my neck, pooling in my chest, then sinking all the way to my toes, making it impossible to stand still. I opened my mouth, closed it again, then finally stammered, "I—I’m sorry. I didn’t think—” She waved a hand, brushing it off. "Not my concern. Just saying." Another slow sip. "Walls aren’t as thick as you think.” I wanted the ground to swallow me. Muttering another apology, I spun around and hurried straight to the ki
CHAPTER 48 DAMIEN'S POV “I don’t give a damn about Lily,” I said, my voice firm. “I want you, Rose.” She shook her head, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “This wasn’t the plan, Damien.” “Screw the plan.” Her lips parted slightly, her breathing unsteady. I closed the distance between us, trailing my fingers along her jaw. “You’re pushing me away because you’re scared,” I murmured, my voice dropping lower. “But it’s too late for that, Rose.” She didn’t say a word. Not a single breath of protest, just stood there frozen, locked in place. And I sure as hell wasn’t letting her go. She was trying to run again. I could see it in the tension of her shoulders, in the way her hands curled into fists. She refused to meet my eyes, her whole body rigid, every muscle coiled tight, ready to flee. But not this time. “Don’t complicate things,” she whispered softly, her voice almost pleading. “Complicating things?” I scoffed, tightening my grip on her wrist. “The only thing complicated is
CHAPTER 47 DAMIEN'S POV I woke up feeling… off. A dull, persistent ache throbbed at the back of my head, the kind you get after one too many drinks—or a restless night. I dragged a hand down my face, exhaling heavily before forcing myself to get out of bed. The sheets still carried Rose’s scent, a soft, lingering reminder that she had been there. Once dressed, I made my way downstairs, rolling my shoulders in an attempt to shake off the heavy tension weighing me down. I found Rose in the kitchen, her back turned to me. A soft smile crept onto my lips as I stepped inside. "Morning, sweetheart.” She didn’t answer. Not once did she look at me. Instead, she stared at the plate in front of her, fingers tightening around its edges like she needed something solid to hold onto. My brows knitted together. "Rose?” Still, she said nothing. Then, finally, she turned around, and her eyes were red-rimmed and weary. The sight of her like that was a gut punch. "What’s wrong?" I stepped forwa
CHAPTER 46 ROSE'S POV I froze. His breathing slowed, turning deep and steady. Seconds stretched into minutes, and eventually, I realized—he’d fallen asleep. I sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Damien…" No response. I lay there for what felt like hours, trapped beneath the warmth of his body, my mind too restless to shut down. Then, sometime in the middle of the night, I felt it. A slow, steady pressure against my thigh. At first, I thought it was an accident—just movement in his sleep. But then his hips rolled. Pressing against me. A low hum escaped his throat. I stiffened. "Damien…?" He didn’t answer. His grip on me tightened, and then, slowly, deliberately, his hips moved again. My breath hitched. "Damien, wake up—" "Mmh…" His lips ghosted over my neck, his breath warm and uneven against my skin. His movements grew more desperate, his body pressing into mine like he couldn’t help himself. Heat bloomed in my chest. "Damien—" A sleepy, broken hum. "Mmh… don’t go…”
CHAPTER 45 ROSE'S POV I sat on the couch, staring blankly ahead, my fingers idly running along the rim of my glass. My thoughts had been circling the same problem all day, relentless and inescapable. Lily. Damien. And me—falling for the man my sister loved first. This was wrong… wasn’t it? It had to be. No matter how much I tried to ignore it, to push it away, but reality wouldn’t let me. Lately, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. We’d been fucking too much. Every touch, every kiss, and every moment with him had me slipping further, it was like I was losing myself in him. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to stop. I sighed, rubbing my temples. The sharp chime of the doorbell cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. I frowned, glancing at the clock. Who the hell would be here at this hour? Smoothing down my dress, I pushed myself off the couch and made my way toward the door. Damien’s mother. Again. She stood on the doorstep, wrapped in an expensive coat, her lips pressed