Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

DAMIEN’S POVAlthough he had liked Serena while she was alive, he also knew I had never been in love with her.“Nanny,” I responded, flipping through the pages and pretending to read my mother's interview so I wouldn't show how uncomfortable this conversation was making me.“Nanny? A nanny that I easily mistook for your girlfriend? Especially since you have a reputation for being an arrogant dick, that's a bit of a problem, don’t you think?”“Am I paying you to be my therapist or to take care of my nanny?”“Well.” He sighed, rising to his feet knowing he wouldn’t get a word out of me. “I don’t know much about what's going on between you two, but I know you definitely have a thing for her. Which is why I’m going to personally make sure she looks absolutely perfect for your taste.” He threw a wink at me that actually made me chuckle, reminding me why he was the only high school friend I still kept around.I went through my emails, responding to messages from my assistant, the chief oper

IVY’S POV“Alright”. I gave the maid another polite smile. “I’ll be right out. Thank you.”I took a deep breath, checked my reflection in the mirror to ensure no tears had ruined my makeup, and straightened my shoulders. I wasn’t going to let Damien think his words got to me.The maid led me to the dining room and my mouth fell slightly at the sight of silver platters filled with roasted lamb, grilled salmon, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered vegetables, fresh bread, salads and soups.There was so much food that it looked like a banquet rather than a family dinner.I hesitated at the entrance, unsure of where to sit when Carolina spotted me.“Ah, Ivy! Come in, dear, sit down,” she said, gesturing to a seat toward the middle of the table, directly across from Damien.“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, and the maid standing behind the chair pulled it out for me to slide into it.As soon as I sat, I felt Damien’s gaze rest on me but I kept my eyes on the cloth napkin, smoothing it over my lap to

IVY’S POVAfter peeling off my sweaty workout clothes, I took a long, hot shower before wrapping myself in the white bathrobe hanging in the bathroom.Breakfast had already been brought to my room and left on the bedside table. We weren’t eating together today because of the party preparations, and a part of me was grateful as I wouldn’t have to sit through another awkward meal with the Blackwood family.After I finished eating, I rang the bell for the maid to collect the empty tray. I thanked her after she left, then crawled into bed and slept.I woke up to a crushing wave of loneliness, and I reached for my phone, and texted Elena to distract myself.We hadn’t really talked since the night we went to lush club as we’d both been too busy with our lives.Me: Hey, stranger. Are we still friends, or have you forgotten about me?My phone buzzed almost immediately which I expected as Elena was always attached to her phone.Elena: I’m so sorry, Ivy. Mrs. Gable still hasn’t found a good rep

DAMIEN’S POVI hated it when people ignored my instructions. People call it toxic control but I call it maintaining order.I slipped my phone from my pocket and sent Mr. Sinclair a short message.The press is not an excuse. I am tolerating your presence tonight only because it is my mother’s birthday. If you or your wife tries to force your way back into my family’s life again, our agreement is over.I had no intention of actually releasing the truth as I had promised to take Serena’s secrets to the grave for the sake of my daughter.I only used the threat because I knew it was the one thing that terrified him. Like my own father, the Sinclairs cared more about their family’s reputation than anything. That was why they destroyed Serena’s life without knowing it.“Are you writing a declaration for World War Three?” My brother’s voice came from behind me, amused by the force I was using to tap out the message.I sent the message and slipped my phone back into my pocket, turning around t

IVY’S POVThe moment I left the hall, my vision blurred with tears and by the time I reached the stairs, they were already streaming down my face. I wiped them away with the back of my hand and hurried to my room.I was just about to shut the door when a strong hand grabbed the knob from the other side, stopping it from closing.A sharp gasp escaped my lips as my eyes traveled up the tanned hand, past the tailored sleeve, until they finally caught sight of Damien.Before my brain could even begin to process his presence, he used his strength to push his way inside and slammed the door shut behind him.My insides melted at the sight of him in that rich brown tuxedo that stretched perfectly across his broad shoulders and muscular chest.It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him that night but standing this close to him in my room was overwhelming.He raked a hand over his hair in frustration and his jaw clenched tightly. And that’s when realization hit me like a slap to the face.Damien was