The Billionaire’s Regret After His Daughter Died のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

Elara’s POVI waited in the shadows, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure they could hear it. Everything hinged on Damien's answer to James's suggestion about giving me a "generous settlement" to free him for Isabella.The silence stretched on forever.Finally, Damien spoke. "I'm already married, James. I have a child. Isabella being back doesn't change those facts."It wasn't the passionate denial I'd hoped for. It wasn't love or loyalty speaking. It was just... duty. Obligation."But are you happy?" James pressed gently. "In all these years of marriage, have you been truly happy?"Another silence. This one was even more damning than the first.I thought about our six years together. From the outside, we looked like the perfect couple. Damien remembered every anniversary, every birthday. He bought expensive gifts - jewelry, designer handbags, luxury vacations. When I got sick, he would cancel meetings to take care of me. They didn't see him break through a police cordon during that

Lily lay in the hospital bed. She looked impossibly small against the white sheets. When she noticed my troubled expression, she reached out.Her small, soft hand touched my cheek."Mommy, let's forgive Daddy, okay?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but each word was clear. "He must be very busy with important things. That's why he couldn't come today."She paused, her breathing shallow from the day's emotional turmoil. "I'm not upset anymore. So you don't have to be upset either."My heart shattered.Here was my dying daughter, comforting me, making excuses for the father who had abandoned her.I forced what I hoped was a smile, though it felt more like a grimace."Okay, sweetheart."She was such a good, understanding daughter. And I was the one who had doomed her. I had given her a bastard for a father.The evening air was cold as I carried Lily to the car. She had fallen into an exhausted sleep during the drive home.Her small body curled against me. Each breath she took seemed prec

"I don't know!" Lily sobbed, confused and terrified. "Maybe I was spinning with Princess Belle, but I didn't mean to hurt anyone!"Isabella coughed delicately. The sound was perfectly timed. "Children don't always understand the consequences of their actions," she said with false forgiveness. "She probably didn't realize how dangerous it could be."Every word was designed to make Lily look guilty, while painting Isabella as a saint.As Damien carried Isabella toward the house, she glanced back at my daughter. Her expression was a mask of feigned concern."Don't worry, sweetheart," she called softly. "Auntie Isabella forgives you."But as she turned away, I caught the flash of something else in her eyes.Triumph. Cold, calculating triumph.Standing by the pool, watching Isabella's calculated performance, I felt something dark and cold settle in my chest.Every word she spoke was designed to frame my daughter, while making herself look like a victim.Damien set Isabella down gently on o

Damien stared at me. His face cycled through confusion, disbelief, and growing anger."Stop this ridiculous charade, Elara," he said, his voice sharp with irritation. "I know I was harsh yesterday, but I'm here to make it right. The trip to Disneyland is still on."I looked at him with something approaching pity. Even now, he didn't understand.My gaze fell to the angry red marks on his neck. Hickeys. They were badges of his betrayal."Don't bother," I said, my voice hollow. "She doesn't need it anymore. She won't be asking you to take her to Disneyland ever again."Damien's jaw tightened. "I already told you. I was too harsh with her. If she's upset, I can apologize. Now stop being dramatic and go get Lily."When I remained silent, staring at him with dead eyes, he assumed she was hiding from him."Lily!" he called out, his voice echoing through our silent house. "Daddy's home! Daddy didn't mean what he said yesterday. Daddy just wanted you to be a polite, good girl."He moved toward

Elara's POVI had spent the night on a cold marble bench. I clutched Lily's urn until dawn broke. Then I drove home.Damien's car sat in our driveway.He was home. Now. When it was too late.I walked through the front door. My black dress was wrinkled from sleeping outside. My hair hung in tangles. My eyes were raw from crying.Damien stood in the foyer. He looked perfect. Freshly showered. Expensive suit pressed.In his hands was a large pink box with white ribbon.Pink. Lily's favorite color.At least he wasn't completely blind."Elara." His voice was gentle. "Where have you been? I've been waiting."I stared at the box. "What is that?""It's for Lily." Pride crept into his voice. "I’m here to apologize. Yesterday I was too harsh. She's just a child."Just a child. Yes. She had been.A child who died calling his name.He held out the box. "It's a princess doll. Dark hair like hers. I thought she'd love it."The casual way he spoke about her made something snap.As if she were upstai