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CATHERINE'S JOY

Penulis: Lizzy Aik
last update Tanggal publikasi: 2026-02-19 03:16:35

Catherine Sterling didn't call ahead.

She never did when she wanted to make a point, and showing up unannounced at ten on a Thursday morning was definitely about making a point.

I heard her voice in the hallway before I heard the knock. That particular tone she used when she was speaking to building staff, polite but with an edge that said she expected doors to open for her without question.

Then the knock. Three sharp taps on my door.

I was working from home, had a conference call in twenty mi
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  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    OUR DAUGHTER

    DAMON'S POV The delivery room felt both too bright and too small at the same time. Machines beeped steadily around us, nurses moved quickly but calmly, and the doctor kept giving quiet instructions. But all I could really focus on was Eve. She was exhausted, sweating, her face tight with pain and determination. Her hair was stuck to her forehead, and she gripped my hand so hard I could feel her nails digging into my skin. I didn’t mind. I would have let her break every bone in my hand if it helped her through this. “You’re almost there, Eve,” I whispered, wiping her forehead with a cool cloth again. “Just a few more pushes. I’m right here, I’ve got you.” She let out a raw, tired cry as another contraction hit. Her whole body tensed, and she pushed with everything she had left. I supported her back, talking her through it like we practiced. “That’s it, baby, you’re doing it. Our baby is coming, keep going. I love you so much.” The doctor’s voice cut through. “One more big push,

  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    INTO THE STORM

    EVE'S POV I woke up slowly in the middle of the night, the kind of half-awake feeling where you’re not sure if you’re still dreaming or not. The guest room was dark and quiet, just the faint glow from the city lights outside the window cutting through the curtains. My hand went automatically to my belly like it always did these days. Thirty-seven weeks. The baby felt so low and heavy now, pressing down in a way that made every movement feel like work. I shifted a little in bed, trying to get comfortable, when the first real contraction hit. It wasn’t sharp at first. It started deep in my lower back, a slow, powerful tightening that spread around my middle like a wide belt pulling tighter and tighter. I sucked in a breath and pressed both hands against the firm, round curve of my belly. The baby moved inside me, kicking hard like it knew something was happening. I held my breath through the peak, then let it out slowly when the pressure finally started to ease. “Ow,” I whisper

  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    THE FIRST DATE

    EVE'S POV I stood in front of the mirror in the guest room, smoothing down the soft blue maternity dress I’d picked out. It was nothing fancy... just something comfortable that still made me feel pretty despite the huge belly that seemed to grow bigger every single day. Thirty-three weeks now, the baby was running out of room, and I was running out of patience with how heavy everything felt. But tonight wasn’t about the discomfort, tonight was about our first official “date.” Damon had asked me three days ago, all nervous and careful, like he was afraid I’d say no. Dinner at the penthouse. Nothing outside, nothing that would make me feel pressured. Just the two of us, trying to talk like normal people again, like we were getting to know each other for the first time. I was nervous. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I put on a little lip gloss and brushed my hair. Part of me remembered every time he chose Sophia’s side, every cold word, every moment I felt invisible in my own mar

  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    A FRESH START

    DAMON'S POV The penthouse had started to feel like home again, but not in the way it used to. It was quieter now, more careful. Eve had been back for a little over two weeks, sleeping in the guest room while I stayed in the master. We moved around each other like two people learning a new dance... polite, respectful, but always aware of the invisible lines we weren’t supposed to cross. I made breakfast every morning and left it on the table with a short note. She thanked me. Sometimes we ate together. Sometimes she took it back to her room. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something, it was progress. Tonight we were out on the balcony after dinner. The city stretched out below us, lights twinkling like scattered stars. Eve had her feet propped up on the ottoman, one hand resting on her very round thirty-three-week belly. She looked tired but peaceful, the soft glow from the outdoor lights catching the curve of her cheek. My chest tightened just looking at her. God, I loved her. It w

  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    CHILDBIRTH CLASS

    EVE'S POV Thirty-two weeks pregnant felt like carrying a watermelon strapped to my front. My belly was heavy and round, sitting low enough that I had to waddle more than walk now. Every step sent a dull ache through my lower back, and the baby had taken to practicing soccer drills against my ribs at the most inconvenient times. But despite the discomfort, I couldn’t stop touching my belly... feeling those strong, steady movements that reminded me we were getting closer to meeting our little one. Damon and I were still living under the same roof, but it felt more like two careful roommates than a married couple trying to rebuild. He respected every boundary I set. He never entered my room without knocking. He slept in the master bedroom while I stayed in the guest room. He made breakfast every morning and left it on the table with a short note, never expecting conversation. It was healing in small, quiet ways… but it was also incredibly awkward. Today was our first childbirt

  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    SLOW STEPS

    DAMON'S POV It had been three weeks since the hospital scare. Three weeks of me showing up exactly how I said I would...no grand speeches, no pressure, just consistent, quiet actions. I went to every single doctor’s appointment. I sat in the waiting room early, brought her the right snacks, asked questions but never took over. I kept going to therapy twice a week. I even told my mom, in no uncertain terms, that any negative comments about Eve were no longer welcome. Eve was still guarded. She had every reason to be. But something had shifted after that night in the hospital. She saw me stay calm when things got scary. She saw me put her and the baby first without making it about my guilt. Slowly, the walls she had built started to crack just a little. Then, four days ago, she called me. Not a text. An actual call. “I’ve been thinking,” she said, voice careful but not cold. “I want to move back to the penthouse. But not like before. We’re not jumping back into everything. I need

  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    PATERNITY QUESTION

    Three days of texts from Sophia. Three days of her playing the scared pregnant woman who just wanted to talk, who just wanted Damon to acknowledge what was happening.Finally Damon cracked."We need to confront her," he said. "Get this out in the open, demand the paternity test and end this.""She'

    last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2026-03-23
  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    THE STORM

    Day three and I was getting used to thiswaking up slow, no alarms, no rushing, just existing Damon was already awake, I could hear him outside on the deckI found him with coffee, looking at the ocean, not his phone, not his laptop, just the ocean“Morning,” I said“Morning.” He handed me a cup. “

    last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2026-03-22
  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    COMING HOME

    We drove back to the city Sunday afternoonNeither of us wanted to leave but we couldn’t hide forever. The week had been good, better than good, we’d talked and laughed and had sex on every surface in that house and figured out we actually liked each other outside of all the chaosBut now the chaos

    last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2026-03-22
  • I AM BILLIONAIRE DAMON'S REPLACEMENT BRIDE    THE REVEAL

    Eve knew something was up.Damon had been acting strange for weeks, sneaking phone calls, leaving early, coming home late with weak excuses about work meetings that didn't make sense.Part of her wondered if he was having second thoughts. If the whole Sophia thing had messed with his head more than

    last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2026-03-22
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