The days that followed Damien's disappearance were a silent, suffocating blur for Gina. She could hardly recall how she spent them—time seemed to drag on endlessly, filled only with the sound of her own heartbeat echoing in her ears. The wedding, once a grand event that had occupied all her thoughts and plans, was now nothing but a cruel reminder of how everything had unravelled in an instant.Gina sat by the large windows of the Smith family mansion, her tear-streaked face illuminated by the fading afternoon light. The mansion, usually bustling with activity, felt eerily quiet. The servants moved about quietly, avoiding her gaze as if they feared disturbing her. There was no wedding music, no laughter, no celebration. Only the hollow silence that seemed to swallow her whole.Her phone, which she had kept by her side at all times, remained silent. No messages from Damien. No calls. Nothing.She clenched her fists in frustration, staring down at her engagement ring—a symbol of promise
The weight that had settled on Damien’s chest for the past few days was unbearable. He had tried to ignore it, tried to push away the confusion and guilt, but it clung to him like an invisible chain. He’d made his decision—he had walked away from the wedding, from Gina, and yet, here he was, still uncertain about everything. Why had he left? What had he been running from?His phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping him out of his thoughts. He grabbed it, expecting yet another update about his family or some report of his disappearance, but the name on the screen caught him off guard. It was Blaire.Taking a deep breath, Damien answered the call, his heart racing for reasons he didn’t fully understand.“Damien,” Blaire’s voice came through the line, soft but clear. “I’ve thought about everything…about us. And I’ve come to a decision.”Damien felt a rush of relief. Hearing her voice was like a balm to his soul, a reminder that despite all the chaos around him, there was still somethin
The weight that had settled on Damien’s chest for the past few days was unbearable. He had tried to ignore it, tried to push away the confusion and guilt, but it clung to him like an invisible chain. He’d made his decision—he had walked away from the wedding, from Gina, and yet, here he was, still uncertain about everything. Why had he left? What had he been running from?His phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping him out of his thoughts. He grabbed it, expecting yet another update about his family or some report of his disappearance, but the name on the screen caught him off guard. It was Blaire.Taking a deep breath, Damien answered the call, his heart racing for reasons he didn’t fully understand.“Damien,” Blaire’s voice came through the line, soft but clear. “I’ve thought about everything…about us. And I’ve come to a decision.”Damien felt a rush of relief. Hearing her voice was like a balm to his soul, a reminder that despite all the chaos around him, there was still somethin
The digital world buzzed with the unexpected news, but for Gina, the shock was too much to handle. She had been curled up in her family’s mansion, scrolling aimlessly through her phone, trying to distract herself from the overwhelming emotions that had consumed her since Damien’s disappearance. She had yet to come to terms with the reality that he wasn’t coming back, that the dream she had built of a perfect life with him was slipping away faster than she could grasp it.Then, her eyes fell on the screen—a tweet that made her stomach drop. There it was, in black and white, a headline that seemed to mock her pain:“Runaway Groom Found with New Woman – Damien Smith’s Shocking Move”The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Damien walking with Blaire. It was unmistakably them. Her heart slammed against her chest as if it were trying to escape her body. Her hands trembled, and she felt her knees weaken beneath her. The room seemed to spin as the weight of the betrayal crushed her.“Damien…”
The phone call came through like a bolt of lightning. Rachel’s heart skipped a beat as she saw the hospital’s name flash on her screen. Without hesitation, she answered.“ Miss Rachel, it’s Gina. She’s in the hospital, she fainted when she saw a picture of Damien with another woman.” The voice on the other end was frantic, breathless. “You need to come quick. She's going through alot.”The words barely registered as Rachel felt a sudden cold rush of fear grip her chest. Gina? In the hospital? What happened? Her mind raced, but before she could even process what she was hearing, she was already heading for the door.She grabbed her coat in haste, her steps quick but heavy as she made her way to the car. The thought of her best friend in distress, broken and humiliated, made Rachel’s stomach twist. She had been trying to avoid the storm that had been brewing for days, but now it had erupted with full force. Gina was hurt, not just emotionally but physically from the shock. And it was al
After leaving the hospital, Rachel’s mind was spinning. She had never felt so helpless, standing by Gina who endured the agony of betrayal. Her heart ached for Gina, but there was something else, something gnawing at her. It was the truth she couldn't ignore: Damien had made his choice. And now, there was nothing left to do but confront the consequences of those choices. But there was one thing Rachel couldn’t quite wrap her head around—Blaire.Rachel didn’t know where Blaire lived, but she had to see her. She had to understand what was going on between her brother and this woman who had somehow come into their lives like a storm. What was it that Damien saw in her? Was it just a momentary lapse, a distraction? Or was there something deeper?She didn’t have all the answers, but she needed to get to the bottom of it.Her first thought was to call Paul. He had been Damien's trusted driver for years, and though he was mostly quiet and reserved, Rachel knew he would know where Blaire live
Rachel sat back down, her mind still racing. The room was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. Blaire hesitated for a moment before sitting down across from her, crossing her arms as if to protect herself from whatever conversation was about to unfold.“I know this must be strange for you,” Rachel began, her voice tentative but steady. “But I’ve been thinking a lot about everything that’s happened. About Damien… and you.” She looked at Blaire, her eyes searching for some sign that this conversation would go the way she hoped.Blaire’s expression softened, but only slightly. She seemed wary, and Rachel understood why. After all, Blaire had been through so much already—her pregnancy, the sudden reappearance of Damien, the tumult of their complicated relationship. The last thing she probably wanted was an interrogation from Damien’s sister.“I’m sorry if this feels like an intrusion,” Rachel continued. “But things have... escalated so quickly. I know Gina is hurting. And Damien... h
Blaire sat on the couch, the conversation with Rachel still echoing in her mind. It weighed heavily on her, the kindness Rachel had shown her, and the way she had spoken about Damien. Her thoughts were conflicted—there was so much pain between her and Damien, yet Rachel’s words rang true. Damien had to face the consequences of his actions, but that didn’t mean Blaire wanted to see Gina suffer more than she already had.The guilt gnawed at her. Gina had been left humiliated, heartbroken, and Blaire couldn’t ignore the empathy she felt for the woman who had been wronged. It wasn’t just about the baby anymore, not just about Damien or herself—it was about doing what was right. And that meant telling Damien the truth about how Rachel had spoken, how she had given Blaire a perspective that made her see the bigger picture.After taking a deep breath, Blaire dialled Damien’s number, her hand trembling slightly as she waited for him to pick up."Hello?" Damien’s voice was thick with exhaustio
In the weeks that followed, plans for a small, intimate wedding were set in motion. The ceremony was to be held in a quaint countryside chapel, surrounded by close family and friends.On the day of the wedding, as Blaire walked down the aisle holding their daughter, Damien felt a surge of love and gratitude. Despite all the obstacles, they had found their way to each other, proving that love could overcome even the darkest of times.As they exchanged vows, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Their journey had been fraught with challenges, but it had also been filled with love, resilience, and hope.Together, they looked forward to a future filled with joy, ready to face whatever life had in store.The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the Smith mansion's grand windows, casting warm hues over the family gathered in the spacious living room. It had been weeks since Damien and Blaire’s intimate countryside wedding, a joyous occasion that marked the start of a new chapter in
Harold was silent, his gaze flickering between Damien, Blaire, and the baby. Rachel stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm.“Dad,” she said, “this isn’t about business or reputation. This is about love. Isn’t that what family is supposed to be about?”For a moment, the room was filled with tense silence. Then, without a word, Harold turned and walked away, leaving them standing in the foyer.Damien let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He turned to Blaire and Rachel, a determined look on his face.“No matter what, we’ll be okay,” he said. “We have each other.”Blaire smiled, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. Together, they left the mansion, ready to start the next chapter of their lives.The tension in the air was palpable as Damien and Blaire left the Smith mansion, their baby cradled in Blaire’s arms. Damien’s jaw was tight with determination, but there was a newfound peace between them. For the first time in months, they felt like a true family, ready to
The evening was still, with only the faint sound of the wind brushing against the windows. Blaire sat on the couch, her hands clutching her phone tightly. She had tried calling Damien countless times, each attempt met with silence. Her heart sank deeper with every unanswered call, and the weight of regret pressed heavily on her chest.Her pacing filled the room with restless energy, her thoughts racing. “What if I’ve lost him for good?” she whispered to herself, her voice quivering.Mrs Taylor, sensing her daughter’s turmoil, stepped into the room. “Blaire,” she began gently, “you need to calm down. He just needs time. Damien loves you. I saw it in his eyes the day he held your daughter.”Blaire shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “But what if he doesn’t come back, Mom? What if he decides this is too much?”Mrs Taylor placed a comforting hand on Blaire’s shoulder. “He’s a good man, Blaire. He’ll come around. You just need to have faith.”Despite her mother’s words, Blaire’s he
The evening was serene, the golden hues of the setting sun casting a warm glow through the windows of Blaire’s small apartment. Mrs Taylor sat at the dining table, cradling her grandchild with a tender smile as Blaire moved around the kitchen, tidying up and preparing a light dinner.“Blaire,” Mrs Taylor began, her voice soft but firm. “You’ve done so much for your daughter. You’ve given her everything she needs. But don’t you think it’s time to be honest? To tell Damien the truth?”Blaire froze, her hands trembling slightly as she placed a dish on the counter. She had been dreading this conversation, even though she knew it was inevitable.“I... I don’t know if it’s the right time,” Blaire admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if he doesn’t believe me? What if he thinks I’m trying to use him?”Mrs Taylor shook her head, rocking the baby gently. “He deserves to know, Blaire. And you deserve to live without this weight on your shoulders. He loves you—anyone can see that. Yo
The air in Blaire’s apartment was thick with warmth and joy, the kind that only a newborn could bring. Her daughter, wrapped in a soft pink blanket, lay cradled in Blaire’s arms, her tiny fingers curling around Blaire’s thumb. It was as if all the struggles, heartache, and fear of the past months had melted away, leaving behind only love and hope.Maria, Blaire’s mother, hovered nearby, her eyes glistening with happy tears as she handed Blaire a glass of water. “You’ve been through so much, my dear. Seeing you like this, with her—it’s a blessing.”Damien stood close, his hand resting protectively on the back of the couch where Blaire sat. He looked down at his daughter with awe, his piercing blue eyes softening in a way no one had seen before.“She’s perfect,” Damien said, his voice thick with emotion. “Just like her mother.”Blaire glanced up at him, her heart swelling. Their journey to this moment had been anything but easy. From their unlikely connection to the trials that had test
Rachel sat on her bed, staring at the glowing screen of her phone. The posts, the comments, the endless judgement—it was all too much. The photos of her and Marcus were everywhere, plastered across gossip sites and social media platforms. The caption stung more than the images: "Rachel Smith disgraces the Smith name—caught with a low-class lover."She tossed her phone onto the bed, pulling her knees to her chest as tears streamed down her face. Her father’s harsh words echoed in her mind, but she pushed them away. She didn’t regret standing up for herself or her love for Marcus. But the weight of the public humiliation was more than she had anticipated.A soft buzz from her phone interrupted her thoughts. She grabbed it, her heart lifting slightly when she saw Marcus’s name on the screen.“Rachel?” Marcus’s voice was gentle, filled with concern.“Marcus,” she replied, her voice trembling.“I saw everything,” he said. “Are you okay?”Rachel swallowed hard. “I don’t know. It’s just...
Gina sat at her opulent vanity, her fingers drumming against the polished wood as she stared at the photos the watcher had sent. The images of Rachel laughing and leaning into Marcus screamed intimacy. In another, Marcus held her hand, his expression tender.Gina’s lips curled into a malicious smile. “So Rachel thinks she can play the hero, aiding Damien while sneaking around with someone beneath her status. Let’s see how the Smith family handles this scandal.”She called the watcher. “Upload the pictures,” she ordered coldly. “Use a burner account and make it salacious. Make sure it spreads like wildfire.”The watcher hesitated for a second. “What caption should I use?”Gina’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Write this: ‘The mighty Smiths are crumbling—Rachel Smith caught sneaking around with a man far below her class. Does this family have any dignity left?’ Add a hashtag: #SmithScandal.”“Consider it done,” the watcher replied.Within moments, the photos were posted, and the internet de
The next day, the mansion was eerily quiet as Rachel slipped out unnoticed, her heart pounding. She had grown accustomed to sneaking away to meet Marcus, but today was different. She wasn’t just meeting her lover—she was also visiting Blaire, someone she felt a strange yet undeniable connection with. Blaire had become a confidante in a way no one else could, someone who understood the weight of defying Harold Smith.Rachel arrived at Blaire’s modest apartment just as Damien was stepping out. “Perfect timing,” he said with a warm smile. “I need to run a quick errand. Rachel, you’re in charge until I’m back.”Rachel rolled her eyes playfully. “Got it, boss.”Once inside, Blaire greeted her with a warm hug. “It’s so good to see you. You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”Rachel sighed, sinking into the couch. “It’s my father. He’s relentless, Blaire. I can’t even breathe without him questioning my every move. And then there’s Marcus…” She trailed off, her cheeks coloring.Blai
Rachel Smith stepped out of the sleek black car in a quiet corner of the city, her heart pounding with anticipation. She glanced over her shoulder to ensure none of her father’s spies had followed her. Satisfied she wasn’t being watched, she adjusted her sunglasses and walked briskly toward the cozy apartment complex where Marcus lived.When she reached the door, she hesitated for a moment before knocking. Almost immediately, the door opened to reveal Marcus, his warm brown eyes lighting up as he saw her.“Rachel,” he said softly, pulling her into the apartment and shutting the door behind her. “I didn’t expect you today.”“I had to come,” she said, her voice trembling. “I couldn’t wait any longer.”Marcus cupped her face in his hands, searching her eyes. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”Rachel shook her head, a weak smile playing on her lips. “No, nothing new. I’m just... tired, Marcus. Tired of hiding, tired of sneaking around like we’re doing something wrong.”Marcus sighed, b