CHAPTER ONE

“Do you have any idea what will happen to you if Mr. Kingston discovers what you’re planning?”

Andrain’s voice was low, but the anger in it was unmistakable.

I tightened my grip on the bucket and stared at him.

“Then perhaps you should stop asking questions and help me before I lose my only chance.”

“Evelyn, you’re not thinking straight. You’re desperate, and desperation is making you reckless.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Would you rather watch my son die?”

He looked away.

That was all the answer I needed.

I turned around and continued cleaning the floor. The strong smell of bleach burned my nostrils, but I barely noticed it. Three months of accumulated cleaning chemicals had been sitting in that bucket, and I had volunteered to dispose of them.

Anything to keep myself occupied.

Anything to stop thinking about the fact that my little boy was dying.

I had secured the job at Clientele through a lie. I had fabricated my work experience, embellished my qualifications, and somehow convinced the manager that I was an experienced waitress.

Andrain knew the truth.

He also knew why I had taken the job.

I wasn’t there for the salary. I wasn’t interested in the tips or the opportunity to work in one of the most expensive eateries in the city.

I was there for one man.

Damian Kingston.

The billionaire whose financial resources could fund an entire medical research institution without making a noticeable dent in his fortune.

If anyone could assemble a team of world-class scientists to investigate the disease killing my son, it was him.

And today, I was going to make him listen to me.

“Evelyn!”

I nearly dropped the bucket when Andrain called my name.

“What?”

“Table four has been waiting for their order for almost fifteen minutes.”

“Please, serve them for me.”

“Again?”

“I’m begging you.”

He shook his head.

“You’re going to get me fired.”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

I hurried into the kitchen, grabbed my notepad, and checked the entrance.

Then I froze.

A black luxury vehicle had just pulled into the parking lot.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Damian Kingston.

He was here.

I abandoned the notepad and rushed towards Andrain.

“Listen to me. I need you to serve the gentleman sitting by the entrance. Please, just this once.”

He frowned.

“What exactly are you planning?”

“Something that will change my life.”

“Evelyn, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Just watch.”

I hurried into the staff restroom.

My reflection stared back at me from the mirror. My uniform was ordinary, my face looked exhausted, and my eyes carried the unmistakable evidence of sleepless nights.

I couldn’t approach Damian Kingston looking like someone he could dismiss without a second glance.

I adjusted my push-up bra, unbuttoned the top of my shirt slightly, and tied its lower ends around my waist. I applied a generous layer of red lipstick and loosened my long blonde hair.

It wasn’t my proudest moment.

But pride wouldn’t save my son.

I stepped out.

Andrain nearly choked when he saw me.

“Evelyn, what the hell?”

“Does it look convincing?”

“You look like you’re about to get yourself fired.”

“Then I better make the most of my remaining minutes.”

He grabbed my wrist.

“Wait. Do you have the chip?”

I pulled my hand away.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Evelyn—”

But I was already walking away.

Table six.

That was where Damian Kingston was seated.

Three men occupied the table, including the billionaire himself.

I had spent several nights researching him. I knew his business history, his investments, his public appearances, and even the tragic story of his late wife.

Damian was thirty-six, wealthy beyond imagination, and notoriously private.

He was also a devoted father to his fourteen-year-old daughter.

His wife, Isabella, had died during the Bubonic plague outbreak, leaving him to raise their daughter alone.

I had read that story repeatedly.

Perhaps that was why I believed he would understand my desperation.

Perhaps I had mistaken his wealth for compassion.

I approached the table with my best smile.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

Two of the men immediately turned towards me.

Their eyes travelled over my body, and I noticed the approving smiles spreading across their faces.

“What can I get for you?” I asked.

One of them leaned back in his chair.

“Something sweet, preferably.”

His companion laughed.

I forced a smile.

“Unfortunately, I’m not on the menu, sir.”

They laughed again.

Then I turned towards the man I had come to see.

Damian Kingston.

He didn’t even look up.

“Cocktail,” he said.

His deep voice carried an authority that made the others instinctively quieten down.

“Certainly, sir.”

I reached for my notepad.

“We have several specials today. But before you make your choice, I’d love to show you something rather unusual.”

That finally earned me a glance from one of his associates.

Damian, however, remained uninterested.

I brought out my iPad.

My fingers trembled as I inserted the memory chip. I had spent weeks gathering the footage, researching the outbreak, and compiling information about the growing death toll.

This was my only chance.

“What’s this?” one of the men asked.

“Something you might find interesting.”

I turned the screen towards Damian.

A video began playing.

It showed disturbing footage of the Bubonic plague outbreak in Italy, followed by interviews with medical personnel and reports highlighting the growing death toll.

Damian’s eyes moved from the screen to my face.

The temperature around the table seemed to drop.

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

His voice was quiet.

Too quiet.

I swallowed.

“Sir, I need your help.”

He stared at me.

“Who the hell are you?”

“My name is Evelyn Pierce. I’m twenty-eight years old, and I’m a single mother.”

His expression didn’t change.

“My son, Sebastian, is suffering from the same disease that killed your wife.”

One of his associates shifted uncomfortably.

I continued before Damian could interrupt.

“My son is getting worse every day. I’ve spoken to doctors, scientists, and several medical institutions. Nobody has given me a definite solution. All I hear is that research is ongoing.”

My voice cracked.

“Sir, I know you have the resources to assemble the best medical researchers in the world. You could fund a proper research team. You could give these scientists the equipment and resources they need.”

I moved closer to the table.

“Please, help me save my son.”

Damian slowly placed his glass down.

I thought I had finally reached him.

Then he spoke.

“Are you finished?”

My mouth fell open.

“Sir?”

“Are you finished disturbing my lunch?”

The words struck harder than a slap.

I shook my head.

“Please, you don’t understand. He’s just a little boy.”

“Security!”

My stomach dropped.

The restaurant manager came rushing towards us.

“Mr. Kingston, I sincerely apologize for this unfortunate disturbance.”

He turned towards me, his face twisted with embarrassment.

“Evelyn! What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

“Please, let me explain.”

“Get away from this table!”

“I’m begging you!”

Two security guards approached.

The manager grabbed my arm.

“Have you lost your mind? Do you know who you’re speaking to?”

“I know! That’s why I’m here!”

My voice rose above the noise in the restaurant.

“Mr. Kingston, your wife died from this disease. You know what it does to a family. You know what it feels like to watch someone you love suffer while you can do nothing!”

Damian’s expression remained unreadable.

“Your wife would have wanted you to help another mother. Please, sir. My son doesn’t deserve to die!”

“Get her out of here.”

That was all he said.

The manager shoved me towards the entrance.

I stumbled, nearly falling against one of the chairs.

“Please!”

Nobody answered.

I looked back at Damian one last time.

He had already returned to his drink.

I had become invisible.

Outside, the manager pushed me through the entrance and slammed the door behind me.

I stood there, breathing heavily.

My entire plan had collapsed.

My iPad was still inside.

The memory chip was still with it.

And I had just embarrassed myself in front of the one man I desperately needed.

“Damn it!”

I sank onto the wet pavement.

The sky had turned dark, and thunder rumbled overhead.

Within minutes, rain began pouring heavily.

I didn’t move.

I couldn’t.

I had spent weeks researching, writing letters, making phone calls, and visiting medical institutions. I had sold almost everything I owned to keep Sebastian’s treatment going.

And now?

Nothing.

I buried my face in my palms.

“Sab, my baby…”

My lips trembled.

“I’m sorry.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

“I promised I would save you. I promised, sweetheart.”

The rain soaked my clothes, but I barely noticed.

“If I have to die so you can live, I will. I swear I will.”

I hugged myself and began sobbing.

“I cannot bury my child. I cannot!”

A shadow suddenly fell over me.

The rain stopped hitting my head.

I slowly lifted my face.

Someone was holding an umbrella above me.

A large hand stretched towards me, holding a small folded note.

I stared at it before accepting it.

Written on the paper were the words:

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. Sometimes, the strongest blows come when you are closest to victory. Never give up.

I read the words twice.

Then I looked up.

The stranger extended his other hand.

“Come on. Get up.”

I hesitated.

“Who are you?”

“Someone who knows what desperation looks like.”

I took his hand.

He pulled me to my feet and guided me towards a waiting taxi.

I was too exhausted to protest.

We drove to the nearby Worital Hotel, where he arranged for me to get a warm room and something dry to wear.

For several minutes, I sat silently, trying to process everything that had happened.

The stranger stood by the window, watching the rain.

“You fought hard today, Miss Pierce.”

I looked at him.

“Unfortunately, you chose the wrong approach.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Damian Kingston doesn’t respond well to public confrontation. He values his privacy more than anything. He doesn’t appreciate people using his personal tragedies to pressure him.”

I laughed bitterly.

“So what was I supposed to do? Send him a birthday card?”

He turned towards me.

“There were other ways.”

“Like what?”

“Approaching him through a legitimate foundation. Requesting a private meeting. Finding someone he trusts.”

I stared at him.

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not.”

“Then you don’t understand what I’m going through.”

He said nothing for a moment.

Then he pulled a chair and sat opposite me.

“My name is Antonio Devereux.”

I studied his face.

He was an unusually tall man with a broad, muscular frame. A dark patch covered one of his eyes, giving him an intimidating appearance.

“I noticed you staring at my eye,” he said.

I quickly looked away.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I was born with an infection in that eye. It affected my vision, and I eventually lost it.”

He paused.

“Growing up, children called me names. Antonio the Blind. One-Eyed Antonio. You name it. I heard everything.”

He touched the patch.

“I hated my childhood. I hated the way people looked at me. Sometimes, I wished I could tear this thing out and pretend I was normal.”

I didn’t know what to say.

For the first time since leaving Clientele, I felt someone was talking to me without judging me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s in the past.”

I looked at him desperately.

“Mr. Antonio, if you know anything about Damian Kingston, please help me. I’ll listen to any suggestion you have.”

He leaned back.

“I used to work in Damian’s mansion. I was part of his household staff before his wife died.”

My eyes widened.

“You worked for him?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know him?”

“Better than most people.”

“Please, tell me how I can reach him.”

Antonio studied me for a moment.

“Everything changed after Isabella died. Damian dismissed almost everyone who worked in his household. He became withdrawn, unpredictable, and extremely protective of his daughter.”

He paused.

“Some of us thought grief had driven him mad.”

I swallowed.

“Why?”

“Because the man who once enjoyed the company of people suddenly wanted nothing to do with anyone. He stopped attending social functions. He avoided interviews. He practically disappeared from public life.”

I lowered my head.

“So I have no chance.”

“That’s not what I said.”

I looked up.

Antonio leaned forward.

“I can help you get through to Damian.”

My heart skipped.

“You can?”

“Yes. But there’s something you need to understand.”

“Anything.”

“Getting close to Damian Kingston will not be easy. And if you want my help, you’ll have to follow my instructions.”

I nodded quickly.

“I will.”

“You haven’t heard what I’m asking.”

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

He stared at me.

“I want your complete loyalty. No unnecessary questions. No running away when things become difficult. If I tell you to do something, you do it.”

I hesitated.

There was something unsettling about the way he said it.

But then I remembered Sebastian.

His tiny hands.

His innocent smile.

The way he called me Mommy even when he was too weak to speak.

I couldn’t afford to be suspicious.

“Please, help me,” I whispered. “My son is dying. I don’t have anyone else.”

Antonio’s expression became unreadable.

“Then we have an understanding.”

I nodded.

“Thank you.”

I stood up and reached for the clothes I had brought with me.

“I need to go. My son is waiting for me.”

“It’s late. You should rest.”

“I can’t. Not when he’s lying in that hospital bed wondering where I am.”

I brushed my hair into a ponytail and picked up my bag.

“Evelyn.”

I turned.

“Yes?”

“Don’t tell anyone about our conversation. Especially not Damian Kingston.”

“Why would I?”

He didn’t answer.

I walked towards him and, overwhelmed by gratitude, planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, Antonio. I won’t forget this.”

Then I hurried out.

I didn’t see the way his entire body stiffened.

I didn’t see him touch the spot where my lips had landed.

And I certainly didn’t know that, for a man who had spent thirty-eight years avoiding affection, that little gesture would leave him completely unsettled.

He remained standing in the middle of the room, staring at the door long after I had disappeared.

Then—

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

He jerked around.

His expression changed instantly.

Nobody was supposed to know he was there.

He approached the door cautiously.

“Who is it?”

A familiar male voice answered from the other side.

“Open the door, Antonio. We know you’ve been helping Evelyn Pierce.”

His blood ran cold.

Then came the second statement.

“Mr. Kingston wants the woman. And if she has already told you about the chip, you had better pray she hasn’t discovered what is actually stored on it.”

Antonio froze.

The chip.

His eyes widened.

Because Evelyn had no idea what she had just walked away with.

And Damian Kingston was prepared to do anything to get it back.