All Chapters of Ashes Of His Regret : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

ESMERALDA'S POVThe restaurant where Julian proposed is exactly as I remember it.Intimate tables, soft lighting. The kind of place where wealthy people have quiet conversations that change lives.I arrived ten minutes early, wearing a soft pink dress that Julian always loved. Simple and Understated. The opposite of the bold, powerful looks I've been wearing with Damien.I need Julian to see me as the woman he remembers. Soft, vulnerable and his.Even though I'm none of those things anymore.The hostess leads me to a private corner booth, the same booth where Julian knelt three years ago and asked me to marry him.The irony isn't lost on me.I order water and wait, my heart hammering despite my careful planning.This is dangerous. Meeting him alone. Lying to Damien about where I am.But I need this. I need to look Julian in the eye and see if I still feel anything.I need to test my power over him.I need to know I can do this without breaking."Esmeralda."I look up to find Julian st

EIGHT YEARS AGO - HARVARD UNIVERSITYThe party was already in full swing when Damien Hale arrived at the off-campus house.Junior year. Spring semester. The startup competition was tomorrow, and he and Julian had just finalized their pitch deck."Finally!" Julian appeared, beer in hand, grinning. "I thought you were going to spend all night tweaking those projections.""Someone has to make sure the numbers add up," Damien said, accepting the beer Julian offered.They were roommates, business partners, best friends. Had been since freshman orientation when they'd bonded over ambition and a shared disdain for legacy admissions who coasted on family names."Come on. I want you to meet someone." Julian pulled him through the crowd.That's when Damien saw her.Blonde hair catching the light. Silver-gray eyes bright with laughter. She was arguing with someone about Kant's categorical imperative, animated and brilliant.Beautiful."That's Esmeralda Morrison," Julian said. "Philosophy major.

DAMIEN'S POVI woke up in her bed for the third time this week.This wasn't supposed to happen.Esmeralda's still asleep, blonde hair spread across the pillow, one hand tucked under her cheek. She looks younger like this. Softer.I should leave before she wakes up. Keep it professional. Keep it clean.Instead, I'm watching her breathe.Fuck.My phone buzzes. Marcus, my CFO.Marcus:The board meeting moved to 10. Are you ready for the Laurent presentation?Me:Yes.Marcus: Good. Also, I saw the photos from last night's gala. You and the wife look good together.The wife. Right.I set the phone down, careful not to wake her.She shifts in her sleep, moving closer, and her hand lands on my chest. Still asleep.I should move it.I don't.This is a problem.***************I'm in the shower when she wakes up. I hear her moving around, probably looking for me.By the time I'm dressed, she's in the kitchen making coffee."Morning," she says, not looking at me."Morning."Awkward. We don't do

VIVIENNE'S POVJulian's been drinking since we got home.It's 2 AM and he's on the terrace, staring at the city like it holds answers.It doesn't.I'm six months pregnant with his child, and he's obsessed with a woman who wants nothing to do with him.Story of my fucking life.I pour myself water the doctor said no alcohol and joined him outside."Come to bed.""Not tired.""You have a board meeting at eight.""I'll manage."He's still in his tux. Hasn't even loosened his tie. Just drinking scotch and brooding."You hit Damien Hale tonight.""Your point?""My point is that you assaulted one of the most powerful men in New York over your ex-wife. Do you know what that could do to us?""There is no 'us,' Vivienne."The words land like a slap.I set my water down carefully. "I'm carrying your child.""I know.""Then act like it. Act like you care about this family we're building."He laughs. Actually laughs. It's bitter and harsh and nothing like the man I thought I was getting."Family

ESMERALDA'S POVHe told me to go to bed.Like I was a kid throwing a tantrum. Like I hadn't just laid something bare and watched him flinch behind that cool mask of his.Go to bed, Esmeralda.Twenty-three minutes later because I counted every one I was done staring holes in the ceiling. Done replaying the way his voice went flat, the way he wouldn't meet my eyes when he said it.I didn't put pants on. Just his shirt from this morning, the one that still smelled like his skin and whatever cologne he thinks nobody notices. I walked down the hall barefoot, heart knocking against my ribs, and pushed his door open without knocking.He was at the desk, laptop glowing, but he wasn't working. Just sitting there, tie pulled loose, sleeves rolled, staring at nothing.He turned when the hinges creaked.Saw me standing in the doorway, legs bare, his shirt barely covering the tops of my thighs."You told me to go to bed," I said.His gaze dropped, slow, deliberate, taking in every inch. "I did.""