Semua Bab The Stranger My Heart Belonged To: Bab 51 - Bab 60

DAMON POVThere was a smudge at the corner of my mouth. I didn’t move.She did.Her thumb rose slowly. Reflex. Gentle. Like she didn’t know what it’d do to me.She wiped it clean. The soft pad of her finger grazed my lip.I didn’t breathe.Not until she dropped her hand and looked away.It was acting. It had to be.A job. A show. An image.But I could still feel her on my mouth.And for a second—just one—I wanted to taste her again. Just for me.And that was the problem.Because for one breathless second, I forgot what this was. Forgot the cameras. Forgot the goddamn blood contract. Forgot we weren’t real.And then—like clockwork—he appeared.A shadow standing just beyond the sea of applause, holding a flute of champagne like it was part of his anatomy.My father.Same smug smirk. Same glass of top-shelf scotch he hadn’t paid for. And the woman next to him—mid-twenties, barely older than the interns in my office—clung to his arm like a designer handbag.He waited until we cut the cake,

DAMON’S POVThe ballroom was clearing out.All that was left of the wedding were champagne stains, wilting flowers, and too much perfume in the air.Sadie stood near the exit, saying goodbye to Casey and that assistant of hers—the one with the clipboard and the over-apologetic smile. She wore a tired smile, too, but hers was softer. More honest. The kind of smile people gave when they were trying to stay composed for everyone but themselves.I remained seated a few steps away. Watching her.She turned to us—me and Grandpa—with her voice still gentle. Still that careful, polite tone she wore like armor when she was tired. “I’ll head up first. My feet are killing me.”Then, right there in front of everyone, she slipped off her heels.It shouldn’t have mattered. But it did.The way her fingers moved over the strap. The way her bare feet pressed into the cold marble. The smallest wince as she stepped forward. It was human. Soft. Real.She didn’t look back.Didn’t wait for me.Just walked

DAMON'S POVThe second we stepped off the plane, they were already waiting.Bright clothes. Too-wide smiles. A woman with a tray full of flower garlands stepped forward and draped one over Sadie’s neck, then mine.Another tucked a frangipani behind her ear, and I caught it—how her hair shifted in the sun. Soft. The petals resting against her cheekbone. Something in my chest jerked.I crushed it before it moved.We were led through a breezy open-air walkway lined with palm trees and whitewashed walls. One of the staff, in an embroidered linen shirt, handed me the room key with a little too much ceremony.“The honeymoon suite,” he grinned. “Your luggage is already inside. But Mr. and Mrs. Prince might want to enjoy the view first. Lunch is ready at the ocean deck.”Sadie didn’t say anything. She was quiet, polite. Smiling like she had to. Her fingers brushed her necklace. She looked exhausted.So was I.We followed him down toward the restaurant near the sea, the scent of grilled seafoo

SADIE’S POVThe music throbbed like a pulse through the humid night air, drowning out most attempts at conversation. Somewhere behind us, someone screamed—joyful, drunk—and the sound of splashing water followed, laughter erupting like fireworks.The hotel’s pool lounge and beach bar was packed with young, beautiful people, all in varying states of intoxication and undress. Neon lights flickered across the water, bouncing off half-empty champagne flutes and bronzed skin.Damon sat across from me at one of the only unoccupied tables. We were surrounded by half-naked strangers, loud beats, and the unmistakable buzz of a party none of us were invited to.Correction—he probably was. And judging by the way a few people kept glancing at him, someone had already noticed the infamous Damon Prince had made an appearance.But he didn’t seem to care. He didn’t even seem to see them.His posture was rigid. His eyes distant. His jaw tense, like he’d rather be anywhere else. And still—he’d brought u

SADIE’S POVI don’t know what came over me.Maybe I was just tired—tired of holding it all in, tired of pretending I didn’t feel anything. Because every time Damon showed me he cared—whether he meant to or not—I kept falling deeper.And tonight, I couldn’t hide it anymore.That’s why I kissed him.Quick. Soft. Not planned.But honest.When he asked what that was for, I didn’t lie. I meant it. Every second of it. And sure, maybe part of it was because his wet, disheveled look was ridiculously handsome. But most of it… most of it was just me. Wanting to let go. Just once.After it happened, I surprised myself.I wasn’t the type of girl to make the first move. I never had been. But there I was, standing in front of him, lips tingling, heart racing—wondering if I’d just ruined everything.He didn’t say a word at first. Just stared.So I cleared my throat and said, quietly, “It was a thank you.”I took a shaky step back, trying to give us both some space.But before I could even turn away,