Blaire was in the kitchen when her phone buzzed on the counter. Wiping her hands on a towel, she picked it up, surprised to see Damien's name flash on the screen. They hadn’t spoken much since she started working at his office, except for brief work-related exchanges."Hello?" she answered cautiously."Blaire," Damien's deep voice came through, calm yet firm, "I hope you're not busy. I promised to take you for a scan today, remember?"Blaire blinked, momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected him to remember, let alone call her himself. "Oh, yes, I remember. Thank you," she said, her voice laced with excitement."Good," he replied. "Be ready in twenty minutes. I’ll pick you up."She froze, unsure if she heard him right. Damien himself was coming to pick her up? Not Paul, his driver? She quickly regained her composure. "Okay, I'll be ready," she said before the line went dead.A flurry of activity followed. Blaire rummaged through her modest wardrobe, settling on a simple yet comfortable
Damien arrived at his office, the events of the day swirling in his mind. The moments he had shared with Blaire replayed in snippets—the sound of her laugh, the glimmer of hope in her eyes as they learned about the baby girl. Shaking his head, he reminded himself to focus.As he stepped out of the elevator and into his spacious office, Damien was greeted by an unexpected sight: Gina, seated elegantly in one of the plush chairs, a pair of lunch packs neatly arranged on his desk. She turned, her poised smile lighting up her face."You’re late," she teased lightly, standing to greet him.Damien raised an eyebrow. "I wasn’t aware we had plans.""We didn’t," she admitted, her voice smooth. "But I figured you’d be buried in work and forget to eat. So, I thought I’d surprise you."Damien hesitated, uncharacteristically unsure how to respond. He wasn’t used to spontaneous gestures from Gina, who was usually meticulous and calculated. Still, he appreciated the effort."That’s thoughtful of you
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Smith estate as Damien sat in his study, his mind racing. Gina’s words from earlier in the day echoed incessantly. “I trust you, Damien. I always have. This is what we’ve worked for.” She had made it sound so straightforward, yet to him, it felt like a noose tightening around his neck.He stared at the untouched glass of whiskey on his desk, his fingers idly tapping against the polished wood. Was this the path he truly wanted? His father’s expectations, Gina’s plans, and now, Blaire’s presence in his life—all collided in a chaotic storm within him.The door creaked open, and Rachel peeked inside, her brows furrowed with concern.“There you are,” she said softly, stepping in. “I was looking for you.”Damien glanced up briefly before returning his gaze to the glass. “Just thinking.”Rachel tilted her head, studying her brother. “Thinking doesn’t look good on you. It makes you moody.” She walked over and perched on the arm
The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of Blaire’s small bedroom, gently pulling her from sleep. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she heard a soft knock at the door.“Miss Blaire, it’s Paul,” the familiar voice of Damien’s driver called out. “It’s time.”Blaire sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She glanced at the clock and realized she had overslept slightly. Throwing the covers off, she hurried to her closet. As she picked out her outfit, her thoughts wandered to the events of the past few days. Working for Damien Smith as an emergency assistant was still surreal, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that every step she took was under scrutiny.After dressing in a professional yet comfortable outfit, Blaire made her way to her mother’s room. Maria was there, seated by the bedside, gently dabbing a cool cloth on Mrs. Taylor’s forehead.“How’s she doing this morning?” Blaire asked softly, her eyes scanning her mother’s pale but serene face.Maria looked up and g
Blaire’s heels clicked softly against the polished marble floors as she made her way toward Damien’s office. It wasn’t every day she ventured into his domain uninvited, but the secretary had suggested she could speak to him directly about the new schedule. Despite her growing comfort in her role, facing Damien in his own space still made her a little nervous.Pausing outside his door, Blaire raised her hand to knock, but the sight through the slightly ajar door stopped her. Damien was seated at his desk, head in his hands, his usually composed figure looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. Something was clearly bothering him, and for a moment, she debated whether to leave him alone.Her concern won out. She gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Damien?” she called softly.He didn’t respond, his focus still elsewhere. She took another step closer. “Damien, is everything okay?”This time, he stirred, his head snapping up in surprise. “Blaire?” His voice was sharp at first, b
The Smith business headquarters buzzed with its usual activity as Mr. Harold Smith entered the executive floor. His sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the hustle and bustle of employees and assistants moving briskly through the glass-paneled corridors. He was a man accustomed to commanding respect, and his presence alone seemed to quiet the chatter.As he turned toward the reception area, his gaze fell upon a familiar face—a young woman standing by the corner, holding a notepad and nervously adjusting her blouse. For a moment, Harold paused, narrowing his eyes. He recognized her but couldn’t immediately place where. Then it clicked.She had been at one of his grand parties, the kind of gathering where the most elite social circles mingled. Why was she here?Harold strode toward her, his footsteps deliberate. The young woman—Blaire—looked up, her eyes widening when she saw him.“What are you doing here?” Harold asked, his voice low but firm.Blaire froze, momentarily caught off gua
“Father,” Damien greeted as he stepped into the office, closing the door behind him.Harold didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Care to explain why that girl is working here? And while you’re at it, explain why you lied about her background at the party.”Damien sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t lie, Father. I just didn’t see the need to share every detail.”“Don’t play games with me, Damien. That girl doesn’t belong here. What’s her connection to you?”“She’s my personal assistant,” Damien said firmly. “She’s hardworking, resourceful, and good at what she does. That’s all there is to it.”Harold raised an eyebrow. “And the pregnancy? What’s your connection to that?”Damien stiffened, but his expression remained neutral. “Her personal life is none of my business, and it shouldn’t be yours either.”Harold leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. “You know, hiring someone like her reflects poorly on you. People will talk. The Smith family’s reputation—”“I’m aware of
Gina had called Rachel early that morning, her voice unusually warm and inviting. “Why don’t we go out today? Just a little outing to catch up.”Rachel, who had been buried under piles of work for the family foundation, jumped at the idea. “I could use the break. What time are we leaving?”A few hours later, Rachel found herself seated across from Gina in a cozy café. They chatted over cups of coffee and light snacks, but Rachel’s mind kept wandering.“You’re distracted,” Gina noted, stirring her drink.Rachel sighed. “It’s Damien. I don’t know what makes him happy anymore. He’s distant, like he’s carrying something heavy, and I just wish I could do something to make things better for him.”Gina’s expression stiffened slightly, but she masked it with a polite smile. “Damien’s always been like that—keeping everything to himself. Maybe he just needs space.”Rachel nodded but remained unconvinced.Later that afternoon, Rachel decided to drop by the Smith business firm. She had her own re
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