Chapter 64: The First Gift

The morning after the charity gala...

Damian Sterling sat alone in his office.

His laptop was open, but he hadn't read a single page of the report before him.

His thoughts kept returning to Evelyn's words.

"Prove it."

He couldn't prove anything with apologies.

He had to show her.

A knock sounded on the door.

Lucas Bennett walked in with the day's schedule.

"You have a board meeting in thirty minutes."

Damian nodded absentmindedly.

"Lucas."

"Yes, Mr. Sterling?"

Damian looked up.

"When Evelyn and I were married..."

"What was the one thing she looked forward to every Monday morning?"

Lucas looked surprised by the question.

He thought for a moment before smiling.

"The white lilies."

Damian frowned.

"White lilies?"

Lucas nodded.

"Every Monday, fresh white lilies were delivered to your home."

"You probably don't remember."

"But Mrs. Hartley always arranged them herself."

"They made her happy."

Damian closed his eyes.

He couldn't remember.

Not because it wasn't important.

Because he had never paid attention.

A bitter smile crossed his face.

"I want a bouquet delivered to Collins International."

Lucas hesitated.

"Should I include your name?"

Damian thought for a moment.

"Yes."

"I'm not hiding."

"And don't write anything dramatic."

"Just..."

He picked up a pen and wrote a short message.

I remembered your favorite flowers. I hope they brighten your day. — Damian

Lucas accepted the card.

"I'll arrange it."

Around eleven o'clock that morning...

A florist arrived at Collins International carrying an elegant bouquet of fresh white lilies.

The receptionist smiled.

"Who are these for?"

"Ms. Evelyn Hartley."

Several employees looked up curiously.

Moments later, the bouquet was delivered to Evelyn's office.

She looked up from her computer in surprise.

"Flowers?"

The assistant handed her the small card.

"They were delivered personally."

Evelyn slowly opened it.

Her eyes fell on the handwritten note.

I remembered your favorite flowers. I hope they brighten your day. — Damian

She stared at the words for several seconds.

He remembered.

After all these years...

He remembered.

Her fingers unconsciously brushed the soft white petals.

A memory surfaced.

During the first year of their marriage, she had once told Damian that white lilies made her feel peaceful.

She hadn't expected him to remember.

But then another memory followed.

The lonely dinners.

The forgotten anniversaries.

The divorce papers.

Her expression slowly hardened.

She picked up the office phone.

"Could you ask the florist to come back?"

"Yes, Ms. Hartley."

Twenty minutes later, the florist returned.

"I'm sorry," Evelyn said politely.

"Please return these to the sender."

The florist hesitated.

"Are you sure?"

She smiled gently.

"Yes."

"Please tell him..."

She paused before continuing.

"My favorite flowers haven't changed."

"But I have."

The florist nodded before carrying the bouquet away.

Late that afternoon...

Lucas quietly entered Damian's office carrying the same bouquet.

Damian looked up immediately.

"They were returned."

Lucas placed them on the desk.

"She asked me to give you a message."

Damian remained silent.

"What did she say?"

Lucas repeated Evelyn's words.

"My favorite flowers haven't changed."

"But I have."

Damian looked at the bouquet for a long time.

His heart ached.

She hadn't rejected the flowers.

She had rejected the man who sent them.

After several moments, he smiled sadly.

"I deserved that."

Lucas watched him carefully.

"Are you giving up?"

Damian gently touched one of the white lilies.

"No."

"I spent three years breaking her heart."

"I can't expect one bouquet to fix it."

He looked out through the office window.

"Tomorrow..."

"I'll try again."

Not with grand gestures.

Not with expensive gifts.

But with patience.

Because for the first time in his life...

Damian Sterling understood that love couldn't be bought.

It had to be earned.