CHAPTER 7

Damien's POV 

I stand at the entrance to Adrian's house, adjusting my clothing. Today, I am myself, Damien. My hair is ruffled, just how I like it, hiding my scar. 

Yesterday, he hurt her so badly. I hated listening to her cries, the way she begged him to stop. I did not realize at which point I called my father, requesting to go carry out a routine check on our collection. 

The butler opened the door. “Mr Damien,” he said coldly. “The Boss is gone.”

“Good, thing I am not here for him,” I said, pushing past him into Adrian's house. The house is just how I expected, large, empty and cold. Unnecessary artificial sculptures, one I was certain was of my arrogant brother lined the hallway.

“Go and call her down,” I instructed the butler. He sighed, muttering something under his breath. That wouldn't do. 

I moved quickly, grabbing the man's fat neck in my hands. “If I ever,” I gritted out, “give you an instruction again and you move slowly, you mumur, infact, you don't run like the fucking rat you are,” I growled in his face. “I would skin you and take your teeth as my reward. Are we fucking clear?”

The butler's skin turned white and I squeezed his throat harder, almost crushing his windpipe. “Yes, Mr. Kane,” heanhed to choke out. 

“That's more like it. Now go call my fucking sister in-law here,” I said.

“That wouldn't be necessary,” a voice said from behind me. Sophie stood at the top of the stairs, in a yellow sundress that went down to her knees. “Please, let him go.”

I let go of my brother's stupid butler. “Sorry,” I said smiling. “You were not meant to see that.”

Sophie raised a brow at me. “Really?” she watched the butler hurry into the kitchen before turning back to me. “Honestly,” she whispered like she had a secret to tell me. “You could have squeezed a little harder,” she said, batting her eyelashes. 

Fuck me this girl.

“Hi,Sophie Martinez. Well now Kane.” She stretched her hand out to me. I accepted it, loving the smallest contact between us. “I assume you are my husband's brother.”

I nod. “Yes, I am. A pleasure finally meeting you Sophie.”

She looked at me, intrigued. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

Did she remember?

I grinned at her. “It's probably just the resemblance between us,” I said, referring to my brother. 

“Yeah, no one offered the fact you guys were twins.” She led me into the living room. I scoffed at the large obscene picture my brother hung over the fireplace.

“What a waste,” I hissed. I shook with disgust. A shelf was lined with trophies my brother had won, some of them meant to be with me.

“Please have a seat,” Sophie gestured towards the couch. She sat down after I did, making sure to cover her knees properly.

“So, what brings you here?” she asked me.

“I want to see my brother,” I lied. “He's not home, I presume?”

She shook her head. “I am sorry. He barely stays here,” she said, sadness filling her voice.

“Are you okay?” She looked down at her feet before replying to me.

“Can I call you Damien?”

She said my name. “Yes, you can,” I said.

“I am so alone here.”

How did I not know she was lonely? Something on my face must have made her retreat because she started apologizing but I shushed her. “What do you mean by that?”

Sophie sighed. “I go out, I go to the gym. I spend time with my friend and honestly, I only have one of those so you can imagine how it is,” she shrugged. “When I come back, I am just hit again with sadness.”

I inched closer towards her. “Adrian doesn't take care of you?” I asked softly, gently taking her hand. She lets me, watching my movements but not resisting any of it.

“He gives me what I want. I mean I never ask him for anything, but I get the feeling whatever I want is mine,”she said. 

“I miss my family, Damien.”

I knew how close she was to them. “Who exactly do you miss?”

She smiled. “My mum. You know, I used to talk with her every week. It's been a month,” tears filled my girl's eyes. “I haven't heard my mama's voice.”

I pulled her close to me, careful not to be too close in case any of my brother's employees were watching. “You have to understand your situation Sophie,” I said, wiping her tears. “Your papa fucked up.”

She sobs louder. “I know. I hate him so much. He stole from her and used it to gamble and that was all he did. I told her not to take him back again. He said he changed,” she cried. “Now, here I am. Paying for his foolishness.”

“I don't want to say I understand how it feels to be in this situation.” I tell her, “ I understand how it feels to be lonely though.” I reach up, cleaning some of her tears away. 

“You have to find happiness in small places you don't expect. You are a brave girl,” I said, watching her calm down to my words. “A lot of people wouldn't do what you did.”

She laughed. “Well, it was either that or die along with him. I doubt your family pities debtors this often.”

They didn't. My brother has requested to marry her to make a mockery of me. I was certain about that too. “Does my brother treat you well?” I asked.

Sophie hesitated then nodded. The little liar. “Yes, he is very kind,” she said, her voice shaking.

“Then Sophie, you have nothing to worry about. As long as you can have fun and you are treated rightly by him, you can always find ways to not feel alone anymore.”

Sophie bobbed her head. “Yes, I do hope so,” she smiles at me. “Thank you Damien.”

I grin back at her, not letting go of her palm in mine. “Anytime, Sophie.”