Chapter Twenty : Conversation Lena's POVThe sun streams through my window, painting warm streaks of gold across the pale walls. Home. After days in the sterile confines of the hospital, I am finally back within the comfort of my own space-though it doesn't feel as comforting as it should. The events of the last few days replay over and over in my head-the attack, the pain, the overwhelming fear. But through it all, there was Damian. He was always there, a lurking shadow who refused to let go, by my side, so I was never lonely.Even now, standing by the door to my bedroom, I could have sworn he is close enough that I might feel the weight of his protection-the halo of a shield that I never asked for, yet somehow need. My body heals, but my heart is heavier than it has ever been. The questions that gnaw at me aren't answered, and my trust in Damian is very much compromised. Still, his devotion cannot be denied, and it is just that contradiction which spins my head around.Damian has b
Chapter Twenty-One: Confrontation Lena's POV The morning light seeps through the curtains. The gentle warmth is such a stark contrast to the cold knot twisting in my stomach. I hardly slept tonight. Every time I closed my eyes, Bianca's words rang inside my head like a knell of death. Her threats, Damian's hesitation, and it all feels like a jagged blade slicing through whatever fragile trust I had managed to build. I push the blanket aside and swing my legs off the bed, planting my feet on the cold floor. My body aches, but it's nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. The only way forward is through. I have to confront Damian. No more running from the truth. I open my door and step into the hall with trembling hands. The fresh coffee scent fills the air, together with the faint sound of Damian's movements in the kitchen. My heart pounds as I walk towards him, each step heavy with dread and determination. When I finally make it to the kitchen, he's standing by the sto
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Quiet Before the StormLena's POVThe silence between Damian and me had stretched out for what felt like an eternity. I had tried to focus on the mundane, the daily routine that seemed to be the only thing grounding me in this house of chaos. I went through the motions—serving him, staying in the background, pretending like everything was okay when it so clearly wasn’t. But the tension in the air, the unspoken words between us, grew heavier with each passing minute.It wasn’t just Bianca’s presence lingering in the background anymore; it was the weight of my own emotions. The truth of what Damian had said to me, the promise he made to me—it all collided in my mind. But a part of me didn’t know how to feel about it anymore. Was I really willing to allow myself to believe that Damian was finally choosing me over her? Could I even trust him again after everything that had happened?I was still struggling to find my place in his life. I could no longer ignore the c
Chapter Twenty Three : Bianca's TensionLena's POVI could feel my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears as Bianca's cold eyes bored into me. The fragile hope I had allowed myself to feel, those moments with Damian where the world felt softer, kinder, crumbled beneath the weight of her presence.Damian didn't say anything for a moment. His jaw clenched, his hands fisted at his sides, and I could tell he was holding himself back. But Bianca looked like she was enjoying the tension in the room."Bianca, what are you doing?" Damian's voice was low-a warning laced with irritation. "What are you doing here? I thought you are smart enough to understand the situation that you don't just badge into my house anytime you feel like again"She didn't bat an eyelash. Instead, she stepped further into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. "I could ask you the same thing," she said, her tone icy. "You promised me, Damian. Promised me that she-" she jabbed
Chapter Twenty-Four: Alex's Secret ArrivalThe night air was still, the slightest trace of jasmine carried inside on the breeze from the garden. I sat hunched over the kitchen table with my hands clasped, tightly wrapped around the coolness of my now teacup cold cup of tea, I wasn't drinking-it just held it for the Lukewarm presence it did and anchored me. The house was quiet-a dense silence that made every groan of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind, seem amplified. Damian hadn't returned yet, and the tension in my chest had eased just a little, though my thoughts were anything but calm.I stared out the window, the moonlight painting silvery patterns across the grass outside. Damian's face flashed in my mind-his eyes, cold and calculating, yet so unexpectedly gentle at times. The memory of his rare kindness confused me. Was I starting to depend on it? Starting to depend on him?It was a thought that grated on me deeply, but nothing compared with the ache every time I thought
Chapter Twenty-Five: Shifting LoyaltiesThe night after Alex's visit was a blur of restless pacing and whispered prayers. I couldn't shake the look in his eyes or the weight of his words. I'll come back for you. They echoed in my mind like a siren's call, pulling me into a sea of confusion and guilt.But there was no room for guilt in this house. Damian would sense it, just like he sensed every other crack in my armor. And when he did, there would be consequences.The morning sun brought no relief, only a growing sense of dread. I moved through my chores with mechanical precision, careful not to draw any attention to myself. Damian had left early, as he often did, but his presence lingered in the house like a storm cloud.By the time he came back in the afternoon, I was in the kitchen, scrubbing the counters like they would clean the chaos inside my head."Lena," his voice called from the hallway, sharp and commanding.I froze, the sponge falling from my hand. "Yes?" I called out, try
Chapter Twenty - Six : Bianca's DiscoveryEarly morning sun pierced the tall windows of Damian's estate, casting golden rays of light across the floors, now polished to a high shine. I was in the study, dusting the shelves — a chore I had taken to out of habit rather than obligation. Damian had left early that morning, and the house was unusually still, though I knew it wouldn't last.It wasn't until I heard the sharp click of heels on the marble floor that I tensed. Bianca. She had a way of filling any space with an oppressive air, her presence commanding attention whether you wanted it or not."Lena," her voice cut through the quiet like a blade. I turned slowly, already bracing myself for whatever venom she had prepared for me today."Yes, Bianca?" I replied as evenly as possible, laying the duster down.She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway with that smirk that ran a chill down my spine. "You're awfully distracted these days. Something on your mind? Or should I say… so
Chapter Twenty - Seven: Confessions And ConfrontationsDamian's Point of ViewThe room was dark, the only light being that of the bedside lamp. Amber tones extended across the walls. I leaned against the bed edge, my phone pressed to my ear, and stared out into the moonlight filtering through heavy curtains. My voice was low, deliberate."You don't understand, Conrad," I said, pacing the length of the room. "Bianca's been getting bolder. She's using that sharp tongue of hers to stir up trouble, and now she's making threats. She claims I owe her something, and she's willing to do somethings down if I don't give it to her."On the other end of the line, Conrad exhaled, his tone as skeptical as ever. “Bianca has always been a wildcard, Damian. But if she’s threatening you, why keep her around? You’ve never tolerated this kind of nonsense before. We all know who you are, the cold Damian we all know, is that not same man I am talking to?”I paused, rubbing a hand across my jaw. "It's not t
Chapter Twenty - Seven: Confessions And ConfrontationsDamian's Point of ViewThe room was dark, the only light being that of the bedside lamp. Amber tones extended across the walls. I leaned against the bed edge, my phone pressed to my ear, and stared out into the moonlight filtering through heavy curtains. My voice was low, deliberate."You don't understand, Conrad," I said, pacing the length of the room. "Bianca's been getting bolder. She's using that sharp tongue of hers to stir up trouble, and now she's making threats. She claims I owe her something, and she's willing to do somethings down if I don't give it to her."On the other end of the line, Conrad exhaled, his tone as skeptical as ever. “Bianca has always been a wildcard, Damian. But if she’s threatening you, why keep her around? You’ve never tolerated this kind of nonsense before. We all know who you are, the cold Damian we all know, is that not same man I am talking to?”I paused, rubbing a hand across my jaw. "It's not t
Chapter Twenty - Six : Bianca's DiscoveryEarly morning sun pierced the tall windows of Damian's estate, casting golden rays of light across the floors, now polished to a high shine. I was in the study, dusting the shelves — a chore I had taken to out of habit rather than obligation. Damian had left early that morning, and the house was unusually still, though I knew it wouldn't last.It wasn't until I heard the sharp click of heels on the marble floor that I tensed. Bianca. She had a way of filling any space with an oppressive air, her presence commanding attention whether you wanted it or not."Lena," her voice cut through the quiet like a blade. I turned slowly, already bracing myself for whatever venom she had prepared for me today."Yes, Bianca?" I replied as evenly as possible, laying the duster down.She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway with that smirk that ran a chill down my spine. "You're awfully distracted these days. Something on your mind? Or should I say… so
Chapter Twenty-Five: Shifting LoyaltiesThe night after Alex's visit was a blur of restless pacing and whispered prayers. I couldn't shake the look in his eyes or the weight of his words. I'll come back for you. They echoed in my mind like a siren's call, pulling me into a sea of confusion and guilt.But there was no room for guilt in this house. Damian would sense it, just like he sensed every other crack in my armor. And when he did, there would be consequences.The morning sun brought no relief, only a growing sense of dread. I moved through my chores with mechanical precision, careful not to draw any attention to myself. Damian had left early, as he often did, but his presence lingered in the house like a storm cloud.By the time he came back in the afternoon, I was in the kitchen, scrubbing the counters like they would clean the chaos inside my head."Lena," his voice called from the hallway, sharp and commanding.I froze, the sponge falling from my hand. "Yes?" I called out, try
Chapter Twenty-Four: Alex's Secret ArrivalThe night air was still, the slightest trace of jasmine carried inside on the breeze from the garden. I sat hunched over the kitchen table with my hands clasped, tightly wrapped around the coolness of my now teacup cold cup of tea, I wasn't drinking-it just held it for the Lukewarm presence it did and anchored me. The house was quiet-a dense silence that made every groan of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind, seem amplified. Damian hadn't returned yet, and the tension in my chest had eased just a little, though my thoughts were anything but calm.I stared out the window, the moonlight painting silvery patterns across the grass outside. Damian's face flashed in my mind-his eyes, cold and calculating, yet so unexpectedly gentle at times. The memory of his rare kindness confused me. Was I starting to depend on it? Starting to depend on him?It was a thought that grated on me deeply, but nothing compared with the ache every time I thought
Chapter Twenty Three : Bianca's TensionLena's POVI could feel my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears as Bianca's cold eyes bored into me. The fragile hope I had allowed myself to feel, those moments with Damian where the world felt softer, kinder, crumbled beneath the weight of her presence.Damian didn't say anything for a moment. His jaw clenched, his hands fisted at his sides, and I could tell he was holding himself back. But Bianca looked like she was enjoying the tension in the room."Bianca, what are you doing?" Damian's voice was low-a warning laced with irritation. "What are you doing here? I thought you are smart enough to understand the situation that you don't just badge into my house anytime you feel like again"She didn't bat an eyelash. Instead, she stepped further into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. "I could ask you the same thing," she said, her tone icy. "You promised me, Damian. Promised me that she-" she jabbed
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Quiet Before the StormLena's POVThe silence between Damian and me had stretched out for what felt like an eternity. I had tried to focus on the mundane, the daily routine that seemed to be the only thing grounding me in this house of chaos. I went through the motions—serving him, staying in the background, pretending like everything was okay when it so clearly wasn’t. But the tension in the air, the unspoken words between us, grew heavier with each passing minute.It wasn’t just Bianca’s presence lingering in the background anymore; it was the weight of my own emotions. The truth of what Damian had said to me, the promise he made to me—it all collided in my mind. But a part of me didn’t know how to feel about it anymore. Was I really willing to allow myself to believe that Damian was finally choosing me over her? Could I even trust him again after everything that had happened?I was still struggling to find my place in his life. I could no longer ignore the c
Chapter Twenty-One: Confrontation Lena's POV The morning light seeps through the curtains. The gentle warmth is such a stark contrast to the cold knot twisting in my stomach. I hardly slept tonight. Every time I closed my eyes, Bianca's words rang inside my head like a knell of death. Her threats, Damian's hesitation, and it all feels like a jagged blade slicing through whatever fragile trust I had managed to build. I push the blanket aside and swing my legs off the bed, planting my feet on the cold floor. My body aches, but it's nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. The only way forward is through. I have to confront Damian. No more running from the truth. I open my door and step into the hall with trembling hands. The fresh coffee scent fills the air, together with the faint sound of Damian's movements in the kitchen. My heart pounds as I walk towards him, each step heavy with dread and determination. When I finally make it to the kitchen, he's standing by the sto
Chapter Twenty : Conversation Lena's POVThe sun streams through my window, painting warm streaks of gold across the pale walls. Home. After days in the sterile confines of the hospital, I am finally back within the comfort of my own space-though it doesn't feel as comforting as it should. The events of the last few days replay over and over in my head-the attack, the pain, the overwhelming fear. But through it all, there was Damian. He was always there, a lurking shadow who refused to let go, by my side, so I was never lonely.Even now, standing by the door to my bedroom, I could have sworn he is close enough that I might feel the weight of his protection-the halo of a shield that I never asked for, yet somehow need. My body heals, but my heart is heavier than it has ever been. The questions that gnaw at me aren't answered, and my trust in Damian is very much compromised. Still, his devotion cannot be denied, and it is just that contradiction which spins my head around.Damian has b
Chapter Nineteen: UnravelsDamian's POVThe first morning rays peeked through the curtains as Damian sat amidst the dull glow of his private office. He hadn't slept, not even for a second. The happenings of the past night replayed in his mind like a broken record. The look on Lena's face, her tears, her accusations… they haunted him.He fisted his hands as he stared blankly at the half-empty glass of whiskey on the desk. It did nothing to drown his guilt or ease the storm that had been raging inside him."I will fix this," he muttered, mostly to himself. "I have to."A knock at the door broke through his thoughts. His right-hand man, Marco, stepped inside."We caught one of them," Marco said, keeping his voice low and cautious. "He's in the basement."Damian rose at once, his face hardening. "Good. I want answers." newPath Press---Scene 1: The InterrogationThe basement air was damp and cold, a stark contrast to the heated rage inside Damian. Tied to a chair, with his head hanging