All Chapters of Ruined By Mr. Cross: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Damien’s PovI stood outside the building, phone in hand, waiting for Selene to come out. The last thing she said kept replaying. She needed our talks more than their proof. That gave me hope.My phone buzzed. I answered fast. “Selene?”“Damien,” she said, voice muffled. “They locked the door. Helena won’t let me leave until I hear Mom’s confession. She says you called my father the night he died.”I leaned against the car. “Selene, listen to me. I did call Lucas Hart that night. Briefly. I wanted to warn him about the bad deals I suspected. We talked for two minutes. I told him to pull back. That’s all. I swear.”There was a pause. “Why didn’t you tell me during all our late talks on the couch? We spent hours going over every call.”“Because I didn’t want to hurt you more,” I replied gently. “Every time we talk, I see how much pain is still there. I was planning to tell you tonight, just us, slow like always. No pressure. Just explaining while holding your hand if you let me.”Helena

Damien’s PovSelene’s face went pale as she stared at her phone. I kept one hand on the wheel and reached for hers with the other. “Selene, talk to me. What’s the text? We do this together, remember? Like every talk we’ve had.”She hesitated, then showed me the screen. “Adrian has Mom again. He says come alone or she dies. And the recording was only the beginning. Damien, I don’t know what to do. I was just starting to feel safe with our slow pace.”I squeezed her hand gently. “First, breathe. We’re not doing alone. That’s not us anymore. Tell me exactly what it says again. We talk it through, one step at a time, like on the couch last night.”Selene read it out. “Come alone to the family house. Don’t tell Damien. I’m scared for her. But I don’t want to hide things from you either. Our talks… they’re what’s holding me together right now.”“Good,” I said softly. “Because I don’t want secrets between us. We’ve come this far with honest questions and answers. Remember when you asked abou

Damien’s PovHelena’s arrival made the air in the penthouse feel heavier, but I stayed focused on Selene. We were on the couch, close but not too close, just like we agreed. Her hand rested near mine.“Selene,” I said quietly, ignoring the knock at the door for a second. “Whatever Helena brings, we talk it through first. You and me. Like always. Tell me what you need right now before she comes in.”Selene looked at me, eyes steady. “I need you to stay calm and explain everything she says. Our slow talks are what I trust most. No rushing decisions. Just honest answers like on the couch these past nights.”“I can do that,” I replied, brushing my fingers lightly over hers. She let me. “I like this pace with you. Asking questions, listening, building bit by bit. It feels real. Ready?”She nodded. “Ready. Let’s hear what she has.”I stood and opened the door. Helena walked in with two men, looking too confident. “Damien. Selene. Victor’s death changes things. I have the original recording

Damien’s PovWe drove to the board office in silence at first. Selene’s hand rested in mine on the seat. I glanced over. “You sure about the five minutes alone with Helena? I’ll wait right outside. But tell me what you’re thinking. Like always.”Selene squeezed my fingers. “I’m sure. I need to hear it without you there first. Then we talk it through together after. Our slow way. You explain, I ask questions. No big decisions in the moment. That’s what feels right with you.”“I get it,” I said softly. “I like that pace too. Your questions don’t scare me anymore. They make me better. Remember last night on the couch? We talked for hours about the guilt and the recordings. That helped both of us.”“It did,” she replied. “You never get defensive. You just answer. It makes me want more talks like that. More nights where we sit close and plan small things. Like that quiet dinner. Nothing fast.”I smiled a little. “We’ll have it soon. After this. Selene, whatever Helena says in those five mi

Damien’s PovThe notifications kept coming on Selene’s phone. The voice message was everywhere now. I held her hand steady on the table, ignoring the board members staring at us. “Selene, look at me first. We talk about this right now. Like every night on the couch. Ask me anything.”Selene turned to me, eyes wide but steady. “Damien, Dad called you S? He knew? And you never told me in all our long talks? Explain it. Honest. No holding back. That’s our way.”I kept my voice calm, thumb brushing her knuckles gently. “Selene, I didn’t know he knew you were S until that message. He must have figured it out somehow. I never heard the full thing before. He asked me to protect his daughter if anything happened. I thought it was just a worried father. We’ve talked about my guilt so many times. This adds to it, but I swear I didn’t hide it on purpose.”She squeezed my hand back. “I want to believe you. The way you always answer my questions patiently… it pulls me closer every time. You wait f