Lahat ng Kabanata ng Chasing His Divorced Wife: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

DAMIEN'S POVThe memories came back in a flood three days later.I was in a meeting when it hit—every moment from those five lost years crashing into me at once. Our wedding where I'd mentally reviewed quarterly reports during the vows. The anniversary I'd forgotten completely. Finding Elara crying in the bathroom and asking if it could wait because I had a call. The divorce papers I'd signed without reading them properly.I excused myself and barely made it to the bathroom before throwing up.James found me twenty minutes later, sitting on the floor."Damien?""I remember everything. Every single thing I did to her.""Okay. Okay, let's get you out of here."He drove me to Dr. Reeves' office. She cleared her schedule."Tell me what you're experiencing.""I remember treating her like an obligation. A task to manage. I'd come home and she'd try to talk about her day and I'd think about work. She'd reach for my hand and I'd pull away because it felt—inconvenient." My voice broke. "I kill

DAMIEN'S POVThe day before Elara's showing, I got a call from an unknown number."Mr. Hartley? This is Detective Bowman. We need to speak about Victoria Hartley's case.""What case? The overdose was ruled accidental.""New information suggests otherwise. Can you come to the station?"I called James first. "Victoria's being investigated for something. They won't say what.""I'll meet you there."At the station, Detective Bowman laid out surveillance footage and financial records."Your mother hired someone to tamper with your car. The accident that caused your amnesia wasn't an accident."The room tilted. "What?""We found payments to a mechanic who admits he sabotaged your brake line. Victoria paid him fifty thousand dollars.""Why would she do that?""We were hoping you could tell us. But based on the timeline, it was right after you announced plans to promote Elara to a senior role at Hartley Enterprises."James grabbed my arm. "Sit down. You look like you're going to pass out.""S

DAMIEN'S POVVictoria's trial date was set for July. Her lawyer called asking if I'd testify on her behalf."Absolutely not," I said."She's your mother. The jury will expect family support.""She tried to kill me. I'm testifying for the prosecution."I hung up and immediately called Dr. Reeves."Her lawyer thinks I should defend her. Am I a bad person for refusing?""You're establishing boundaries with someone who's repeatedly violated them. That's healthy, not bad.""Then why do I feel guilty?""Because she spent your whole life conditioning you to prioritize her needs over yours. That programming doesn't disappear overnight."The guilt stayed anyway. I threw myself into work to distract from it. James noticed."You're working twelve-hour days again. That's not healthy.""I'm just busy.""You're avoiding feelings. There's a difference."He was right. I was falling into old patterns—work as escape, productivity as self-worth.I called Elara that night. We'd been doing weekly coffee d

DAMIEN'S POVThe auction was spectacular. Elara moved through the crowd like she owned the world, confident and radiant in a black dress that made my breath catch. I stayed back, watching her work."You're staring," James said, appearing beside me with champagne."I'm observing.""You're staring like a lovesick puppy."He wasn't wrong. Watching her succeed at something she'd built entirely on her own did something to me. Pride, attraction, something deeper I wasn't ready to name.The auction raised four hundred thousand for the hospital. Patricia Holbrook publicly praised Elara's work. By the time the last guest left, Elara looked exhausted and triumphant."You did it," I said, finding her in the empty gallery."We did it. Everyone did it.""No. You did this. Own it."She smiled, tired but genuine. "Okay. I did it.""I'm proud of you.""Thank you for not trying to take over.""That was physically painful, but I managed."She laughed and swayed slightly. I caught her elbow."When did y

DAMIEN'S POVVictoria's sentencing was fifteen years with possibility of parole after ten. I didn't attend. Dr. Reeves said I'd done enough, that I didn't owe her my presence.James called afterward with the details."She cried when the judge read the sentence. Asked if you were there.""What did you say?""Nothing. I wasn't in the courtroom. Her lawyer told me."I felt nothing. Just numbness where guilt should have been."Is that wrong? That I don't feel anything?""That's shock, Damien. It'll hit you later."He was right. Three days later, I was in a board meeting when it crashed into me—my mother was in prison because of my testimony. I excused myself, barely made it to the bathroom before the panic attack hit.I called Elara from the bathroom floor."I can't breathe.""Yes you can. Count with me. Four in, six out."We breathed together until my heart rate slowed."Where are you?""Office bathroom. I'm supposed to be in a meeting.""Can you leave?""I'm presenting quarterly results