4. Gold-digger

Chapter 4

Damon;

Three years.

Three fucking years since she left.

Three years since she dropped the bomb, and my life became a goddamn mess.

Coming to Rosecliff—my hometown, the same place I’d vowed never to step foot in again—was a last-minute decision. I shouldn’t be here. I had told them I wouldn’t be attending any shitty engagement, which, of course, would’ve been mine. Family traditions and all that crap.

We all knew this marriage was blind to happen...for the merger, plus the many benefits I'd have gotten out of it, but what I didn't know, until this moment, was the identity of the bride to be.

Now I fuckin wished I'd agreed to it. Fate really does have the shittiest sense of humor.

It was hard to believe. Seeing her again. But it was harder to stomach realizing she was engaged to Marcus.

The night gradually wore off, and while the few guests took their leave, I sank onto a couch in the living room, nursing a bottle of tequila.

A few minutes later, and the entire family were all seated, having their little cringey bonding moment.

“You know what?” Marcus’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He had that smug tone that made me want to break something. “I think I do owe you a heartfelt thank you, brother. I mean, this should’ve been your engagement, and for once, your nonchalance about family traditions actually paid off.”

“Marcus,” Father warned, his tone flat and irritated.

Of course, I could recall. And the damn realization made me want to hurl this bottle across the wall.

Marcus held up a hand, “No, seriously. Let’s not pretend. We all knew a day like this would come—where you’d choose the perfect family for the merger… and Olivia? She’s just right for me.”

I scoffed silently. I could already feel my knuckles itching.

But Father said instead, “Well, it was always going to be her. I had made a deal with her father before he died. The marriage was going to happen either way, and since you," his eyes drifted to me, filled with the familiar disappointment I was already used to, "since you stubbornly refuse to adhere to it, it's only fair Marcus take the reins."

For some reason, the fact that she was literally stripped of her choice rattled me. Does she even love him? I guess she was left with no choice as this was an agreement between both families.

The tequila burned down my throat but did nothing to kill the rage crawling up my spine.

And then she walked in.

My peaches.

Hair brushed to one side, that soft uncertain smile she wore when she was uncomfortable, and her gaze, obviously and carefully avoiding mine.

Wendy—stepmother of the fucking year—hurried to her like she couldn’t wait to gloat. “How’re you, darling? Marcus said you weren’t feeling well?”

Olivia tucked her hair behind her ear and offered that soft, polite smile. She still wouldn’t look at me.

“I’m really sorry, Mrs. Kingston.”

Mrs. Kingston, my foot.

Wendy waved dismissively. “I told you, just call me Wendy,” she beamed, all sugary sweetness. And I understand crowds aren’t your thing. Actually, it’s a good thing we realized that today. We’ll make the necessary arrangements on the wedding day so you don’t lose consciousness halfway through.”

She laughed at her own joke, the high-pitched sound getting on my last nerves. “Oh—and we’re going for your dress fitting tomorrow, so make sure you rest up. It’s going to be a fun-filled day.”

Olivia chuckled softly at that, and for some reason, that sound sent my blood rushing. I looked away. Took another swig.

“Go on, dear,” Wendy said, touching her arm. “You should get some rest.”

Marcus started to get up to escort her, like a devoted fiancé he wanted everyone to believe he was.

But Olivia shook her head. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice soft.

He sat back down reluctantly.

And just like that, everyone shifted focus—except me. I was still gripping the glass as if it was the only thing keeping me from losing my mind.

Wendy turned her attention to me, smiling brightly. “So, Damon. It’s really great to finally see you again,” she said. “But what’s this I hear about you going back tomorrow? Your wedding is barely three weeks away... you should—”

“That’s none of your fucking business, Wendy,” I snapped before she could finish, and I didn’t miss the stunned silence that fell over the room.

I leaned forward, my voice sharper now, my eyes pinned to hers. “Quit acting like my fucking mother and stick to being the Kingstons’ gold digger. That title suits you better.”

“Damon! Enough of that. Show some respect to her.” Father’s voice cracked through the room.

Wendy’s face flushed a deep red. She stood up quietly and left the room without another word, her heels clicking hard on the floor.

“I can’t believe this!” Kimberly, her daughter, hissed as she stood up. I'd almost forgotten she was in the room with us.

“Are you seriously all just going to sit here and let him talk to my mother like that?” She glared at me. “Who the hell do you even think you are!?”

“Are you sure you want to know?” I said coolly.

“Can you just stop it already!?” Marcus snapped, finally losing that plastic coolness he always wore. “Enough, Damon!”

Of course. Marcus, the Kingstons' pride. The peacemaker. Now that I think about it, he'd always stuck with Kimberly even years back. Protecting her from her bully stepbrother, aka, me.

I raised a brow at him, slow and amused. “Touched a nerve, baby brother?”

Kimberly looked like she was about to burst into tears. She turned on her heels and stormed out.

Marcus gave me one last glare before following her.

The only thing I felt was the pressure of Layla’s hand on my arm, rubbing those annoying soothing circles, like I was some fucking child needing comfort. It did the opposite.

I scraped my chair back and tossed the bottle on the floor. I wasn't okay with this. I wasn't.

“Damon,” my father called sharply. I didn’t answer. They should be grateful I was here in the first place. I wasn't here to lick anyone's ass.

I made my way upstairs. Towards my room. But on second thought, and without a care in the goddamn world, I turned and kicked open the door to Marcus’ room.

But--

I wasn't expecting the sight that greeted me.

There she was. Olivia. Facing me directly, eyes wide in horror, and...

completely naked.