"Let me see where my son is so busy." The voice was so thick and authoritative that I felt a shiver run down my spine. Damien stood up, which allowed me to look at the man who had entered. He was tall with broad shoulders and had many cuts on his face, indicating that he had been a part of many fights. His eyes, a mirror of Damien's deep green gaze, seemed to hold secrets and shadows that only a man of his ilk could know. It was unmistakable; those orbs were a legacy passed from father to son.But it wasn't just the eyes that drew my focus; it was the very air around him that seemed to bend under the weight of his presence, It was dark and dominating, just like Damien's. He was taking every step as if he owned this place. His eyes were fixed on me all the time and I didn't come to know when I scrunched more into the wall. I know I haven't done anything wrong but there was something in him which was asking me to stay away and not to mess with him if I love my life. There was pin-dr
"Rather it was..." "Wait a minute, there is someone!" I heard his father, who suddenly changed his words just as he was about to reveal the name. Panic rose as I realized that they had felt my presence and that I would have to act quickly. If they found me here, I am not sure about his father, but Damien would surely kill me. Gathering all the strength I could muster, I quickly scrambled to my feet and moved to the spot against the wall where they had left me earlier. The door to the room swung open just as I settled into position.I pressed my face against the wall, keeping my eyes shut tight, even though my racing thoughts made it difficult to focus. My lungs screamed for air, and I struggled to regulate my breathing. These men were cunning, and I couldn't afford to give myself away."It was just a misunderstanding," his father said, dismissing the conversation."Now, if our discussion is over, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave," Damien's voice sounded cold and distant."Hmm, I cou
"Do you know who killed Philip?" I asked her, partially hoping that she would tell me. My heart was pounding in my chest with the anticipation of knowing the truth. But her reply left me stunned. "Me" I couldn't believe what she had just said. For a moment, I thought that my ears were ringing. I blinked multiple times to clear my vision and to find any hint of humor on her face but she was looking very serious. "I didn't get you?" I managed to utter it, my mind racing to comprehend what she had just confessed.I literally stopped breathing for those moments. When I heard Damien's father say that he was not the one who killed Philip, I thought that he himself must have killed him. I just wanted to make sure with Daisy but I didn't know that she would tell me something that would give me a 440-volt electric shock. "You heard it right, it was me who killed your brother." I could see small tears in her eyes as she confessed her crime. The way her whole body was shaking, I am sure she
Trigger WarningShe is the culprit and she has gone through everything, yet I am still unable to accept it fully. Somewhere, I still believe that something is hidden in it. Something that we are all unable to see.Suddenly, the dizziness hit me hard and my head started spinning and throbbing at the same time. I am sure this is because I put too much pressure on myself.I didn't want to bother her but my hands lifted my head on their own to hold the skull in place."Are you fine?" I heard her as she rested on my shoulder.It took me a minute to get a hold of myself. I drew deep breaths. Though I was not feeling well yet the determination to know everything kept me moving forward."Yes, I am fine," I said. "Please, I want to know everything""But you..." she began, concern clear on her face."I am fine," I assured her. "It is just that everything is too much for me to accept but I am fine. I need to know the whole truth"She took a deep breath and nodded when she was sure that I was not
My surroundings were a blur as my eyes slowly opened.The last thing I remember is Damien pushing me on the bed and me losing consciousness.My body was in resting mode so I could not move it frantically. Before my vision could become clear, the incident that took place before I lost consciousness replayed in my head.I felt a pang of regret when I realized how I had been recaptured by my tormentor before I could fully run away. I still remember the way he tortured me in that dark room. And the information that Daisy shared with me about her killing my brother is still alive in my head.Though I was in a dungeon before I lost consciousness, right now it feels like I am sleeping on clouds. The mattress below me is as soft as pure cotton. With my blurry vision, I could conclude that I was no longer in that terrifying place, instead, I was in Damien's room. The relief of the change in environment was almost surreal, considering the recent torment I had endured.My head tilted to my left a
I braced myself for what was coming next. Desperation fueled my flailing arms, they thrashed around looking for something to hold on to, to gain balance, to save myself from breaking my nose but nothing came in my hand. My body leans forward and just when I thought that nothing could stop me from hurting myself, I feel two strong arms that wrap around my waist, saving me from falling down. I know really well to whom those arms belong. He quickly pulled me to his chest. My heart pounded in my chest, a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins as my senses reeled from the close call. I could feel his chest rise and fall against my back as if he was also scared.My foot! "Are you fine?" I came to my senses when I heard his question. I nodded. We were so close that I could hear his heartbeats, which were surprisingly louder than mine. If he was also afraid of me getting hurt, then why didn't he stop doing such cruel things to me? And then suddenly I remembered the thing he said
My eyes moved around as I wasn't sure how to bring my clothes from the closet when he was here and I don't think he has any thoughts of leaving me alone. "Wait," he said, disappearing from the bathroom.I scanned the area and for the first time, I noticed how luxurious the bathroom is. The candles are only adding to the allure. But what's the need for all this when the person residing here is not beautiful and happy? They have black hearts and are alone on the inside. He came back with my clothes, which surprised me a bit. He placed the items on the nearby stool, alongside a towel. "Change. I will be right here," His words held a firmness that left no room for argument. Without waiting for my response, he turned away, just as he did when I stripped. "Could you go out?" I tried my luck once again. "No!" His response was swift and straightforward.Resigned, I huffed and got back to my work of dressing myself. Until I get out of this hell, I will have to tolerate his presence around
"Freedom" I replied without any hesitation and his body froze. Slowly he moved back, his eyes now red with rage, and his palms, which were resting on my thighs earlier, moved up and gripped my waist tightly. "Indeed, the only thing that I can't give you is freedom. You are mine until your last breath. You have to remove that word from your dictionary," he retorted, his hold on my waist growing even firmer as if he had no intention of letting go."I would prefer fighting till my last breath than to submit to you. Why don't you accept the fact that I am not a property to claim?" I asked in his own tone. I knew at the moment that I was in his embrace and he could do whatever he wanted yet I was playing with fire. He had just brought me out of the dungeon, where he could again push me back but the frustration and anger in me were not ready to give in. Not yet. "You became my property the day I purchased you," he countered, his words filled with bitterness. "I am ready to pay you the a
One year later Third Person's POV Aiden was telling the story of his day to his father while returning home from school. Damien was listening to his story intently when he saw something and abruptly applied the break. "What happened, Daddy?" Aiden asked curiously Damien looked at the flower shop at the side of the street and Aiden understood it. He giggled, his tiny eyes sparkling with excitement, as Damien came out of the car and helped Aiden out. Damien held the finger of his little son, whom he knew was super excited and could hurt himself if not kept an eye on. Aiden jumped in his way as they reached the flower shop. "How may I help you, sir?" the girl selling flowers asked Damien. Damien and Aiden shared a look before both of them said it at the same time. "A bouquet of lavender" The girl's eyes moved at both of them one by one as she chuckled at the bond of father and son. Angel used to think that Aiden was a junior version of Damien but as they started livin
After dance, dinner, and cake cutting, Damien brought me and Aiden to his house.Aiden was half asleep by the time we reached here because he danced like crazy, gaining the attention of everyone. He is surely going to have more pictures than us.Daisy took on the responsibility of keeping him to herself for the night. Looking at the cuteness and innocence of our baby, everyone thinks that he is easy to handle but in reality, the case is just the opposite."Momma," I heard Aiden's voice, which stopped me in my tracks.As I turned around to look at him, I found him rubbing his eyes with one hand while the other one was reaching out for me, his tiny fist opening and closing in rhythm, asking me to take him in my arms.I knew that he would wake up and then he would surely ask for me. At the moment, if I don't take him and put him to sleep, he will cry so badly that it will become impossible for even me to calm him down.Daisy patted his back, trying to put him to sleep again but I knew th
All of us came back to the venue and Damien didn't leave my hand, even for a second.It felt like he was afraid that I would run away from him but now that I have accepted him, I have done that with an open and clean heart. I have decided not to think about that bitter past and to start a new life with him on a happy note.As we entered the venue, we met with the most unexpected guest. Damien looked down at me, asking if I had any clue about them but I was equally clueless. I am sure Philip and Richard must have arranged it.Suddenly, Damien was hugged tightly. It was his mother. She hugged him tightly."I missed you," she mumbled.Damien hugged him back. She pulled away and engulfed me in her arms as well. I felt her warmth and love through that hug.Daisy was standing at a hand distance from us, looking at her brother with small tears in her eyes. Two months ago, I came to know that Damien has cut all the ties with his sister and they haven't met in the last four years.I could see
Philip and Richard stepped towards us as we moved away and stood side by side.Unable to meet my gaze with Richard's, my eyes moved down on their own.For the first time, I couldn't understand what's going on in Philip's head from his body language. I know he would not be happy with this decision of mine.Damien was still having eye contact with them, ready to face whatever they had to say, while my eyes were still low. My heart was beating fast in my chest and my body was frozen in the arms of Damien.I was stuck in the situation of choosing my family's will over my love, and this time I decided to go with my heart, because if I had gone with the first, it would have ruined three lives.Suddenly, Damien moved his arm away from my waist. My eyes snapped up in surprise as I thought that Philip must have pulled Damien away but I was completely surprised when both of them hugged.What? Philip is hugging Damien. From what I felt, it was Damien who hugged him first because his hands were
"Damien," I called out while turning around but there was no response.How could he disappear in a blink of an eye?Was it just a dream?No! The familiar sensation on my forehead, at the place where he kissed me, was still there. I am sure he was here."Damien!" I called out again.When no response came and I was sure that he was not in the room, I ran to the window and looked down to find a man walking towards the exit with his head hanging low.It was Damien"DAMIEN!" I called out with all the energy inside me.He turned around. His eyes were brimming with tears, and his lips curled into a small smile. He waved his hand to me and walked away."Damien!" I again called out my hand, reaching out for him but he was gone.I blinked and focused but he was already out of my sight. I turned around and ran to the door. At the same time, Philip came inside."Angel," his eyebrows drew in confusion as he looked down at me. "What happened?" "Damien," I cried "What happened?" His eyebrows drew
As I entered the house, I found it dark and silent.Where is everyone?Aiden was waiting for me at home. I bought him chocolates as well. Where is he? Where is Mom?I flinched at my place and my soul almost left my body when a party popper burst near my ear. Suddenly, the room was filled with lights and when I moved around my eyes, I found all my family members surrounding me. They were waiting for me to give me a surprise but I am not sure what it is because there is still time for my birthday."Congratulations!!!!" Mia came to me excitedly and hugged me tightly.My hands hesitantly wrapped around him. But why is she congratulating me?"Congratulations, Angel," Mumma and Philip squealed at the same time."Congchachulason, momma," Aiden said in his baby voice.My squinted eyebrows and confused eyes moved at each one of them. I know I was expected to say thank you but I was utterly confused."We are so happy that you said yes for the wedding," Mia said.Ohh! Now it settled in. But how
Richard was completely shocked to know about my past. He was left speechless when I told him everything about my first meeting with Damien, Philip's fake death rumor, my auction, Damien's treatment, the truth and me leaving him at the end. He just listened to me intently without questioning anything but he was all ears to me. I felt relieved to tell him all this because it was like a burden on my heart especially when he was thinking about his life with me. Along with a mentor, he is my good friend as well and I could share things with him without the fear of getting judged. "Since then I have shut the doors to my heart, not allowing anyone to make its way inside." A long silence followed my words. He seems lost in my story, his mind replaying things I said. "Do you still love Damien?" He asked finally breaking his silence. He was silent while I was telling him the whole story of my life but his one question was enough to make me go silent. Drawing a deep breath, I gulped down.
As I stepped out of the car my phone started ringing. When I took it out of the clutch, I found that the call was from mother. I am sure Aiden must be calling me. Today is Sunday, and I had some work, Aiden wanted to come along with me but I brought him with me because I needed to talk to Richard. This is why I am here! I have called him in a cafe to have a conversation and I know no matter how much Aiden is involved with his own things, he keeps an eye and ear on me. He always hears what his mommy has to say whether it is meant for him or not and he understands it or not. And then I have plenty of questions waiting for me before going to bed. "Hello" "Hello momma" came his chirpy voice from the other side of the call "Aiden misses you" I am sure he is pouting. "Come back soon" As during the weekdays, I stay busy with courts and cases, he gets only one day with me and he doesn't want to stay even a second away that day. I am sure he must be cutting the time by looking at the c
It's been two weeks since that incident and I am still not over it. I still have the guilt that, because of me, my baby suffered. Aiden has now fully recovered, and he has also started going to school. The doctor asked me not to give him too much stress so I applied for one week of medical leave for him. He was happy about missing school and enjoyed the leaves as if they were holidays.Today I took a day off because I wasn't feeling well. I wanted to pick up Aiden today but Philip wouldn't let me go. He asked me to take a rest, and this is why I took the leave.I was going through my phone while waiting for my baby when the door opened. As usual, I expected him to barge inside the home and shout, telling each and every corner of the house that he had returned from school but instead, he came inside silent with his lips tightly pressed together. His eyes were low and the energy in him was missing.My eyebrows drew in confusion as my eyes flicked up at Philip, asking what was wrong with