CHAPTER FOUR: THE PRICE OF MERCY

I couldn’t believe Damian Kingston had just kissed me.

Even more unbelievable was the fact that I had kissed him back.

His lips had been warm and gentle, yet the moment had left me breathless. I had spent so long convincing myself that romance was a luxury I could no longer afford that I had forgotten what it felt like to be wanted.

When he finally pulled away, I stared at him, searching his face for an explanation.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Shhh.”

I touched his arm.

“I wanted it too. Thank you.”

His eyes searched mine.

“Do you feel anything for me?” I asked quietly.

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

I looked down, trying to hide my disappointment.

“Damian, I have a dying son. Every single day, I’m reminded that I might not be able to save him. I can’t afford to get carried away by feelings.”

I stepped into the elevator.

“I’ll see you soon.”

The doors closed before he could respond.

“Damian Kingston needs to learn that money isn’t meant to be piled up forever,” I muttered as I stopped at a shop to buy snacks for Sab.

I hailed a cab and headed home.

But the moment I reached my doorway, something felt wrong.

The door wasn’t properly closed.

My heart skipped.

I dropped the snacks and rushed inside.

“Sab!”

There was no response.

“Sebastian! Mommy is home!”

I hurried towards his bedroom and pushed the door open.

Empty.

His bed was untouched, and his favourite toy lay on the floor.

Then I noticed a folded piece of paper on his pillow.

My fingers trembled as I picked it up.

YOU OWE ME YOUR MAXIMUM COMMITMENT.

Your Master,

Antonio.

“No…”

I immediately dialled Antonio’s number.

Unavailable.

I tried again.

Nothing.

“You coward!” I screamed, throwing my phone onto the bed. “You took my son!”

I wanted to call the police, but I stopped myself.

What would I tell them? That I had been working with the same man who had taken my child? That I had willingly become involved in a scheme against a billionaire?

Antonio knew I couldn’t expose him without exposing myself.

He had trapped me.

I grabbed my handbag and rushed out.

There was only one place he could have taken Sab.

The orphanage.

The moment I entered, I heard children singing.

Antonio sat at the front of the room, leading them through what he called an affirmation song.

I stopped to listen.

“It doesn’t matter who’s ahead of me, I’m gonna crush!”

“It doesn’t matter who’s involved, I’m gonna crush!”

The children repeated the words excitedly.

I frowned.

What kind of lesson was this?

But then I saw Sab sitting in the front row.

My little boy!

“Sab!”

His face lit up.

“Mommy!”

He jumped from his seat and ran into my arms.

I hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead repeatedly.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“I’m fine, Mommy.”

I closed my eyes in relief.

Then I looked at Antonio.

What kind of lunatic would bring a child to an orphanage when his mother was still alive and desperately searching for him?

Antonio approached us with a smile.

“Evelyn. You’re here.”

I handed Sab his snacks and asked him to wait with the other children.

Then I followed Antonio towards a quiet corner.

“What is wrong with you?” I whispered angrily. “How dare you take my son without telling me?”

“I didn’t want to make anyone suffer.”

“But it’s perfectly fine when you make me suffer?”

His smile disappeared.

“Listen carefully. Christmas is only a month away. If you don’t get serious about securing the $250 million, things will become unpleasant.”

He pointed towards Sab.

“That little boy over there? If you fail, both of you could disappear from this world.”

My stomach tightened.

“Antonio, please…”

“Don’t beg me. Get the money.”

“Tell me what to do!”

He leaned closer.

“The orphanage is ready. The media is already interested in Damian’s supposed donation. All you need to do is make sure the money comes through.”

I shook my head.

“What if Damian refuses?”

“Then make him agree.”

“And if I can’t?”

His expression turned cold.

“Then remember this, Evelyn. If your son dies, you killed him.”

I felt tears gathering in my eyes.

He had a cruel way of making me feel responsible for every terrible thing happening around me.

“What do I do, Antonio?” I whispered.

“Anything. Just get the money.”

“Mommy?”

Sab’s voice interrupted us.

I quickly wiped my tears and turned around.

“Yes, my prince?”

“What’s happening?”

I forced a smile and lowered myself to kiss his forehead.

“Nothing, sweetheart. Mommy was just discussing something with Mr. Antonio.”

“We’re going home?”

“Yes. Right now.”

Sab looked at Antonio.

“Bye, Mr. Antonio.”

Antonio smiled.

“Goodbye, little man.”

I held my son’s hand and walked away.

I wouldn’t allow that man to get close to him again.

Andrain was waiting outside my house when we arrived.

He had brought a bag of clothes, something he had been doing for me since my husband died. He had always tried to fill the brotherly role in my life, even when I insisted I could manage on my own.

I took the bag from him.

“Look at this blue crop top,” I said, holding it against myself.

“Simple but beautiful,” he replied.

He picked up a pair of black trousers.

“And this? You can wear them together. Add earrings, and you’ll look elegant without exposing too much.”

“I love them.”

After trying on a few outfits, I settled on one I liked.

Andrain watched me.

“So, Eve, have you received the money?”

“Not yet.”

“What’s happening?”

I sighed.

“Sometimes, I wonder whether Damian actually has the kind of money everyone claims he has. He seems sympathetic, but I don’t understand why he wouldn’t help if he truly has such a good heart.”

“You’re still trying to understand him?”

I looked away.

“It takes time to understand people.”

Andrain studied my face.

“Something happened between you two, didn’t it?”

I hesitated.

“He kissed me.”

Andrain’s eyes widened.

“He what?”

“Damian kissed me. And I enjoyed it.”

I sat beside him.

“For the longest time, I haven’t felt emotionally connected to anyone since I lost Pierce. I miss being loved, Andrain. I miss kissing someone and feeling wanted. But I don’t want to make another mistake.”

“Do you think he’ll ask you for sex?”

I laughed nervously.

“I don’t know. Damian seems more interested in intellectual conversations than romance. I think his discipline is part of what made him successful.”

Before Andrain could respond, my phone rang.

Damian Kingston.

“Hello?”

“Evelyn, it’s Damian.”

“Oh, Mr. Kingston. Good to hear from you. What prompted this call?”

“Can we see each other?”

His voice sounded different.

“Is something wrong?”

“Please, Evelyn. We really need to talk.”

I sat up.

“Okay. Where should I meet you?”

“I’ll send my driver to your location.”

“Alright.”

The call ended.

I turned to Andrain.

“He wants to see me. Something doesn’t sound right.”

Before he could respond, Sab let out a heavy breath from where he was sleeping.

I rushed to his side.

His breathing sounded laboured.

“Oh, God…”

I held his little hand.

“Please preserve my son’s life. I know he needs a miracle. Please don’t let him die.”

My doorbell rang.

I looked at Andrain.

“I have to leave.”

I squeezed his hand.

“Thank you for standing by me all these years. Please look after my boy. His mother is going on a mission to save his life.”

Damian’s office stood directly opposite the orphanage Antonio had established in my name.

It was strange being there for the second time that day.

The first time, I had come looking for my son.

Now, I was there because Damian had urgently requested to see me.

I entered his office and stopped.

A board covered one wall. Several photographs were pinned to it, and Damian held a marker in one hand.

In his other hand was a photograph of me.

My stomach tightened.

“What’s all this?”

He turned towards me.

“Children’s charity?”

I frowned.

“Is that what you think I’m involved in?”

“I see a friend in you, Evelyn. But the things happening around you make me feel as though my life is in danger.”

He looked towards the window.

For a moment, his expression changed. He seemed lost in a painful memory.

“I’ve seen what this disease can do,” he said quietly. “My wife fought for her life. I spent everything I could on medication and treatment. I took her to different countries, hoping someone could save her.”

His voice broke.

“But her body grew weaker. One day, she couldn’t fight anymore.”

He looked down.

“I know what it means to lose someone.”

I stepped closer.

“I’m sorry, Damian.”

He wiped his face and turned towards me.

“The people on that board have all tried to hurt me. They want what I’ve built. They see success and think it’s something they can exploit.”

He paused.

“But I don’t believe you belong among them.”

I stared at him, confused.

“Why did you call me here?”

“Because I want to help you.”

He walked towards his desk and picked up a bag.

“Your money is ready.”

I couldn’t move.

“Damian…”

“Please, Evelyn. Use it for your son. I know your desperation comes from loving him. Don’t let anything distract you from getting him the help he needs.”

He handed me the bag.

I opened it slightly and saw the money inside.

My knees almost gave way.

“Damian Kingston…”

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I put you through all this. Please forgive me.”

I held his hands.

He pulled me into an embrace, and I cried against his chest.

For a moment, I forgot Antonio, the threats, and the terrible things I had done out of desperation.

I only remembered that my son might finally have a chance.

When I lifted my face, I kissed Damian’s chest.

He gently kissed my forehead.

Our eyes met.

This time, there was no sudden confusion between us. I wanted him, and I could see the same desire in his eyes.

He kissed me.

I kissed him back.

What followed was an intimate moment neither of us had planned, but neither of us wanted to stop. We found comfort in each other’s arms, allowing the feelings we had been holding back to take over.

For Damian, it was the first time he had allowed himself to be close to another woman since Alexa’s death.

For me, it was the first time I had felt wanted in years.

Later, we lay quietly on the couch, our clothes scattered nearby.

I turned towards him.

“Did you sleep with me because you gave me money?”

His expression changed.

“No. I didn’t plan for things to go this far. But you could have stopped me if you didn’t want it.”

I touched his face.

“Shhh. I wanted it too. Believe me.”

He held my gaze.

For the first time, I felt there might be something between us that money couldn’t explain.

But I couldn’t forget why I had come.

“I need to go. Sab will be waiting.”

I got up and began dressing.

Damian did the same.

As I reached for my handbag, I glanced at the bag of money.

My son finally had a chance.

But I had no idea that accepting Damian’s help might have just made me an even bigger target.

And Antonio Devereux was not a man who forgave failure.