CHAPTER 20DAMIEN'S POVThe drive to meet Adrian was quiet, but my mind wasn’t.What the hell is wrong with me? Why does her smile stick with me like that? She’s just Rose. Nothing more.I pulled up to the sleek, glass-front building where Adrian’s office was located, forcing those thoughts to the back of my mind. I had bigger problems to deal with.Adrian was already waiting when I arrived, sitting at the long conference table with a folder in front of him. He stood up as I entered, offering a sly smile.“Damien,” he said smoothly. “I was starting to think you’d never show.”I sat down across from him, keeping my expression neutral. “Let’s just get this over with.”Adrian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “You always did have a way with words.”I ignored his jab, glancing at the folder on the table. “So? What’s the deal?”He slid the folder toward me, tapping it with his finger. “The same as before. You sign this, and we finalize the merger. It’s a win-win for both of us.”I opene
CHAPTER 21DAMIEN'S POVLaz dropped into the chair across from me, his expression somewhere between disbelief and amusement as he ran a hand through his messy dark hair.“Damien,” he began, dragging out my name like it was a joke, “your life is straight out of a rom-com, man. I mean, what the actual hell is going on with you?”I leaned back in my chair, rubbing the back of my neck. “Don’t start, Laz.”“No, seriously,” he continued, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. “Let me get this straight. You’ve got Lily’s sister living in your house now—Lily’s sister, Damien. The same Lily who was your first love, the one who, might I remind you, broke your damn heart. And now, you’re catching feelings for her sister? Are you out of your mind?”I groaned, running a hand down my face. “I know, okay? You don’t have to spell it out for me.”“No, I do, because clearly, you’re not thinking straight!” Laz shook his head, looking at me like I’d lost it. “Do you realize how messed up this is?
CHAPTER 22ROSE'S POVI could hardly believe that Laziel—the Laziel—was sitting in front of me, laughing, joking, and completely different from the way he came across in his pictures and interviews. The man oozed charm, sure, but there was something disarming about him in person. He wasn’t stiff or cold like I expected. If anything, he was warm, laid-back, and approachable. It was such a stark contrast to the confident, almost intimidating image his portraits gave off.And let’s be honest, he was devastatingly handsome. Unfairly so. The kind of handsome that made you nervous just being in the same room.Before I could think better of it, the words slipped out. “You’re really beautiful.”The second it was out, I clamped my hand over my mouth. Oh, no.Laziel’s eyes widened for a moment before his cheeks flushed a soft pink. He actually blushed.“Did you just—?” Laz started to say, his lips curling into a surprised smile.“Oh my God,” I stammered, turning to Damien out of instinct, only
CHAPTER 23DAMIEN'S POVRichard Grantham lounged across the polished table, exuding his usual smug self-importance, his associates stationed like bodyguards at his sides. I could feel the tension rippling through the room as he leaned back in his chair, adjusting his tie.“We’ve heard some...interesting things,” Grantham began, his voice slow and deliberate.I held his gaze, unblinking. “Interesting things,” I echoed, my tone devoid of emotion.His faint smile was the kind that made my fingers itch to wipe it off his face. “Yes. From the Duvals, actually. They seem to have a lot to say about Sterling Corp these days.”My jaw tightened, but I kept my expression unreadable. “The Duvals have a habit of running their mouths. I assume you’re not here to peddle their gossip, Mr. Grantham? Because that would be a waste of my time—and yours.”Grantham chuckled, a low, condescending sound. “Of course not. But you understand, Mr. Sterling, that when such...persistent rumors circulate, it raises
CHAPTER 24ROSE'S POVThe kitchen was unusually quiet as I stepped inside. The only sound was the faint hum of the refrigerator. I froze mid-step when I saw the maid standing near the counter, her back partially turned to me. She wasn’t doing anything obvious, but her stiff, almost jittery stance put me on edge.“What are you doing?” I hadn’t meant for it to sound so accusing.The maid jerked back, guilt flashing across her face. She whirled around, clutching a dish towel, her eyes wide and nervous. “Oh! Miss Rose! I—I was just... cleaning,” she stammered, lifting the towel as if it could explain everything.“Cleaning?” I echoed, narrowing my eyes. Something wasn’t right. “What exactly were you cleaning? Because this place looks like it’s already been cleaned.”Her gaze darted around the kitchen like she was searching for an escape route. “I was... wiping the counters. Yes! The counters.” She gestured vaguely toward them, but the countertops were spotless, not a single smear or crumb
CHAPTER 25ROSE'S POVThe words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My breath caught, and my world tilted slightly. “What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.“She was pregnant,” Seraphina repeated, her smirk widening. “With Damien’s child.”“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “That doesn’t make sense. Are you saying Damien was the father?”“It means exactly what I said,” she replied coldly, her tone dripping with condescension. “She was carrying Damien’s child.”My mind spun, every thought colliding with the next. “But—how do you know this?”She leaned back in her chair, inspecting her nails as if the topic were casual. “I have my sources. They haven’t found more details yet, but she was pregnant. And she’s still in this city, Rose. My private detectives are working tirelessly. It’s only a matter of time before she’s found.”The café seemed to close in around me, Seraphina’s voice fading into the background as my thoughts screamed louder than her words. Lily. Pregnant. With Damien
CHAPTER 26ROSE'S POVI sat at the dining table, staring at my untouched plate, absently pushing my eggs around with my fork. Damien sat across from me, sipping his coffee, his sharp gaze flickering toward me every few seconds.I knew he was watching me. I could feel it.“Alright,” he finally said, setting his mug down with a soft clink. “What’s wrong with you?”I didn’t flinch. Didn’t react.“Nothing,” I murmured.Damien didn’t buy it.“That’s a lie,” he said, his voice edged with impatience. “You’ve barely spoken since last night. You look like a ghost, and now you’re sitting here acting like the world is ending. So, I’ll ask again—what’s wrong?”I forced a small, tired smile. “I’m fine.”His eyes narrowed slightly, like he was trying to read me.He let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple. “Fine. If you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you. But at least take care of yourself, okay?”I nodded, still not meeting his gaze. “Yeah. Sure.”Damien exhaled, clearly frustrated, but he didn’
CHAPTER 27ROSE'S POVThe clock on my phone read 11:07 PM, the soft glow of the screen the only light in the darkened room.I dropped it onto the couch with a sigh, dragging my hands down my face.Sleep was impossible. No matter how hard I tried, my mind wouldn’t stay quiet.I had tried eating, tried watching TV; some mindless late-night show I barely paid attention to… nothing helped.I exhaled, pushing myself off the couch, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle deeper. Maybe a glass of water would help. Or, maybe pacing the house would finally drain some of the restlessness out of me.My steps faltered as I reached the bottom of the stairs.The dim glow from the bar area flickered softly, casting shifting shadows across the floor. The faint amber hue from the overhead lights glowed against the glass bottles, their reflections stretching like golden ghosts behind the counter.And then I saw him… Damien.He was seated at the bar, one elbow resting on the counter, a tumbler of whiske
CHAPTER 50ROSE'S POVI 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 satisfaction of
CHAPTER 49ROSE'S POVI 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 kitchen, n
CHAPTER 48DAMIEN'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 you tryin
CHAPTER 47DAMIEN'S POVI 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 forward, but s
CHAPTER 46ROSE'S POVI 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…”My heart cle
CHAPTER 45ROSE'S POVI 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 into a
CHAPTER 44DAMIEN'S POVRose adjusted her dress, smoothing out the fabric before reaching for her purse. Her lips were still slightly swollen, her cheeks faintly flushed, but she looked composed—like she hadn’t just let me wreck her right here in my office.I leaned against the desk, watching her, half-amused. “You’re just gonna leave like that?”She shot me a dry look. “I did bring you lunch. I think I’ve done enough.”I smirked. “Oh? You sure about that?”Her ears turned red, but she ignored me, picking up her bag. “I’ll see you at home.”Home. I didn’t know why that word settled so strangely in my chest.She turned to leave, but before she reached the door, I caught her wrist. She blinked up at me, surprised. "Rose."She tilted her head. "What?"I hesitated for a fraction of a second before sighing, loosening my grip. “Nothing. Get home safe.”She smiled, small but genuine. "You too."And just like that, she was gone. The warmth she left behind lingered for a moment. Then my phone
CHAPTER 43DAMIEN'S POVSeraphina, of course, took full advantage. She turned her head just slightly, eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. "Oh. Hello, Rose."I looked at Rose just in time to see her expression flicker. A flash of something—annoyance? Hurt?—before she schooled her face into something unreadable."Am I interrupting?" she asked, voice careful.Seraphina smiled, brushing past her with a deliberate bump of her shoulder. "Excuse me."Rose didn’t move for a second. Then, slowly, she turned to me, arching a brow. "So… should I come back later?"I exhaled sharply. "No. You’re exactly who I want here."Her gaze lingered on the door Seraphina had just walked out of before she shook her head, stepping forward. She placed the bag on my desk. "I brought your lunch."I sat back in my chair, opening the bag. The smell hit me instantly. "This looks…" I took a bite and groaned in approval. "Okay. This is amazing." Rose smirked, crossing her arms."Are you the same person who fumbled m
CHAPTER 42DAMIEN'S POVThe bed was empty when I woke up.I blinked against the soft morning light streaming through the curtains, my body still heavy with sleep. My hand instinctively reached for the warmth that should have been there. But the space beside me was empty, the sheets cold beneath my fingertips. A small frown formed as I tried to piece it together. She was here last night. I remembered that much.I sat up, raking a hand through my hair before stretching and making my way toward the bathroom. The shower was quick, the warm water washing away the last traces of sleep. But it was the scent drifting through the apartment that truly pulled me awake.A faint aroma of something warm and buttery lingered in the air, teasing my senses. A slow smirk tugged at my lips. That could only mean one thing.Drawn by the scent, I followed it toward the kitchen. I stepped into the kitchen and stopped, my gaze lingering longer than necessary.Rose stood at the stove, her back to me, the soft