As the minutes ticked by, her breathing evened out completely, and Damien could tell she had fallen into a deeper sleep. He leaned back slightly to observe her peaceful face, but her hands gripped his shirt tighter, pulling him closer.â...DamienâĶâ she mumbled, her voice barely audible.His eyes widened at the sound of his name on her lips. A soft smile crept onto his face.âIâm here,â he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead. At first he thought she was awake but seeing how tightly her eyes were shut, he couldn't help but let out a sigh. Was he expecting her to say something?âDâĶDamienâĶ.. I-IâĶ.â She suddenly grumbled some gibberish which made Damien look at her again. Knowing that she was only sleep talking and would end up saying something confusing, he raised his hand up and stroked her hair again. However, he stopped when she spoke again."...You..." He frowned, realizing heâd missed the first part of her murmuring."Even in your sleep, you're such a tease,"
He spun around quickly, only to feel a sharp pang in his chest at the sight before him. It was the first time he had seen her cry because of him, and the experience was nothing short of devastating. The sight shattered his heart and left his mind reeling, stripping away any semblance of reason. All he could think about was holding her, comforting her, and making the pain disappear.âThereâs nothing to talk about,â Damien said, his words cutting through the silence like a blade.Eva felt her heart shatter, each syllable ripping through her chest. A wave of unbearable pain swelled within her, threatening to crush her completely.âDamien, IâââLet go of me.â His voice was sharp, cold, and gruff, the irritation laced in his tone striking her like a physical blow.Eva opened her mouth to reply, but no words came. Her lips trembled, her eyes stung, and her throat tightened with unshed tears. She had promised herself she wouldnât cry, not again, but it was a battle she was losing.âNo.â Her
Her eyes, usually so bright and full of life, glistened with tears that fell in unrelenting streams. Those beautiful eyes, once akin to brilliant stars, now reflected nothing but hurt. He stepped toward her instinctively, but she moved back, widening the distance between them.Regret struck him like a wave, heavy and suffocating. He hadnât intended to push her so far, to break through her boundaries in this way. He only meant to test her resolve, not to wound her so deeply. Now, guilt and remorse clung to him like an oppressive weight as he stood frozen, unable to undo the damage he had caused.âLook awayâĶâ she begged, her voice shaking as she pressed herself against the glass window.Despite how she promised her to never win Damien over with her tears, she couldn't control herself. She swore she would never cry over a man as she had done with Mark in the past.âEva,â he whispered, stepping closer, but she held up a trembling hand to stop him.âIâll stop bothering you,â she stammered
Eva tilted Damienâs face down to her level, trying to ease the strain on her tiptoes. But he had a different idea. Before she could react, she let out a soft yelp as he swept her off her feet, effortlessly lifting her.She couldnât help but chuckle. âYou really donât know how to carry someone properly, do you?â she teased, though her head instinctively nestled against his shoulder, finding comfort in his embrace.Damien smirked but didnât reply. He carried her to the plush couch in the corner and sat down, settling her gently on his lap. His arms remained firmly wrapped around her waist, holding her as if afraid she might vanish.âI like you, Damien,â Eva said softly, raising her head to meet his intense gaze. âI really, really do.âHer heartfelt confession washed away the last remnants of his frustration. It was as if her words had the power to calm the storm raging inside him.âButâĶâ She hesitated, her fingers brushing against his jawline. âIf we want this relationship to work, you
Eva buried her face in his shoulder, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly. Memories from the past threatened to overwhelm her, but Damienâs calming presence kept her grounded.âRelax,â he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. âIâve got you.ââCan I ask you something?" Eva asked as she pulled back to look at him.Damien gave her a slight nod which was a permission for her to ask as he caressed her cheeks.âThat night at the hotelâĶâĶI mean the first time we metâĶ..â" What night?â Damien questioned, cutting her off. Of course he knew what Eva was talking about but he just chose to act like he didn't know.Eva creased her brow slightly when she heard his question. âI'm talking about the night we both had a one night stand. You remember everything that happened, right?" She asked. This time explaining what she really meant.âHm. I do. Why did you ask?" Damien replied, wondering why she was asking about it all of a sudden.âNothing. I just wanted to know if you still re
When Eva woke the next morning, her heart sank at the sight of the empty, cold side of the bed. He hadnât stayed the night. Though she understood he likely had responsibilities to tend to, she couldnât help the pang of disappointment. Sitting up, she stretched and noticed a small porcelain bottle on the nightstand. Next to it lay a handwritten note that simply read, âFor the scars. -Dâ Curious, she unscrewed the top, revealing a faint herbal aroma that was both soothing and unfamiliar. She studied the bottle's elegant, minimalistic design, noticing the delicate watercolor painting etched into it. The intricate craftsmanship made her pause. Not thinking much of it, she placed the bottle back on the table. Little did she know, the ointment was more than just a thoughtful gift. It was a treasure few could ever dream of obtaining. Later that morning, Doctor Sam arrived to check on her condition. She showed him the bottle, casually asking if it was effective. At first, the seasoned doc
After parting ways with his assistants at the airport, Damien headed straight for the Black Mansion. For a brief moment, he contemplated the idea of sneaking into Evaâs room, but such an action seemed beneath him. He was Damien Cross, after all. There was no need for stealth when confidence was his forte.Thus, with a heavy wooden box in hand, he found himself at the grand doors of the Black Mansion. Inside the box lay a selection of Da Hong Pao tea, priced at two million dollars per gram, and an emerald jade tea set handcrafted by an artisan whose work was once prized by royalty. These were not mere gifts; they were tokens of respect, strategically chosen to win over Eva's formidable grandfather.When the butler opened the door, her surprise at seeing Damien quickly melted into a composed greeting. "Good evening, Mr. Cross." Butler Song bowed, stepping aside to let him in.George was already waiting in the grand living room, his posture regal and imposing. The air was thick with tens
At the dining table, however, Damien's mood soured. While Eva busied herself deboning chicken and peeling shrimp for her grandfather, Damienâs plate remained conspicuously empty."Eva, you need to eat too," he admonished, his voice laced with irritation as he began piling food onto her plate.Eva paused and noticed her bowl was filled with dishes to the brim, ranging from all sorts of protein and vegetables to the perfectly deboned fish. "I will," she replied, laughing lightly at his sulking tone. He looked like an abandoned and lonely child in desperate need of love. âYou don't have to get mad over something like this." She mused and grabbed her spoon."Take bigger bites," he instructed. "And donât forget to drink the soupâitâs good for you." He poured her a steaming bowl of broth, his every move attentive and precise. He didn't hesitate and poured her a hot bowl of soup, continuing to hover over her like an obnoxious pest that wouldn't go away.When he saw her take small, elegant b
âI... Iâm starting to think Eva might be trying to sabotage me. You know, with the awards coming up, and her growing popularity... I just have this feeling sheâs trying to push me out of the competition,â Christine said, her voice trembling slightly as if she was on the verge of breaking down. She knew Mark would respond to weakness, to vulnerability, just as he always had.Markâs voice was low, filled with annoyance. âWhat do you mean, sabotage you? Sheâs already got the public on her side. What else does she want?ââI donât know, Mark. But I canât shake the feeling that sheâs behind some of the things happening to me lately,â Christine continued, carefully planting the seed of doubt. âSheâs been getting more endorsements, more media attention... Sheâs always one step ahead, and I feel like sheâs using me to boost her own career. Maybe sheâs trying to push me out of the spotlight, making sure I donât have a chance to win.âMark was silent for a moment, processing the information. Chr
Eva didnât respond immediately. She could feel the seriousness in Everettâs words, and for a brief moment, the playful rivalry between them was pushed aside.Everettâs eyes softened slightly as she looked at Eva, a rare glimpse of concern flickering in her gaze. âWhat are you going to do about her? Sheâs the one who caused my accident but had that person lie he was a fan, right? Also with the recent things happening, I can tell sheâs been pulling strings, trying to break you down.âEva's expression hardened, her grip tightening on her wine glass. âIâm not sure yet. But Christineâs time is running out.â She gave a slight, bitter laugh. âI wonât let her destroy me.âEverett studied Eva for a moment, her face unreadable. âBe careful, Eva,â she said quietly, her tone more serious than Eva had ever heard. âChristineâs dangerous. And sheâs got a way of making everyone believe her sweet little act.âEva took a deep breath, looking away briefly as she processed Everettâs words. The concern wa
The day of the event arrived, and Christine was glowing with victory. Dressed in an elegant gown, she enjoyed the attention as she mingled with industry elites, knowing she was now the headlining speaker.With Eva out of the picture, this was her moment.Then the doors opened.Gasps rippled through the crowd as Eva walked in, effortlessly poised, wearing a breathtaking designer dress. The cameras instantly shifted toward her, flashing in rapid succession.Christineâs smile faltered. âWhat is she doing here?âBefore she could react, the event host stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand.âLadies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise. While there were some scheduling changes, weâre honored to have Eva here tonight.âChristine stiffened. âWhat? Thatâs impossible!âEva merely smiled, making her way toward the front.Kai had pulled the right strings behind the scenes. Even if she wasnât an official speaker anymore, she was still one of the biggest names in the roomâand the audience
Christine was livid. Every attempt to ruin Eva had backfired, and now, the industry was beginning to suspect foul play.Her carefully crafted innocent image was slipping, and she refused to let that happen.Gripping her phone tightly, she dialed Tanya, her voice sharp the moment the call connected."Tanya, listen carefully. I donât care what it takesâpull every string, bribe whoever you need to, but make sure Eva does not attend the upcoming fashion event. I want her out, completely.âTanya hesitated. âChristine, are you sure about this? Maybe you shouldâââDonât question me!â Christine snapped, her frustration boiling over. âDo you think I have the luxury of waiting? Eva is already taking the spotlight. If this continues, I wonât even be considered for the Top Ten Models Award!âTanya sighed. âFine. Iâll see what I can do. But Christine, be careful. Youâre playing a dangerous game. If this backfires, it could cost you everything.âChristine scoffed. âPlease. Eva wonât be able to prov
Christine sat alone in the dimly lit hotel, her fingers lightly tapping against the side of her untouched wine glass. The usually confident and composed woman looked lost in thought, her expression unreadable as she stared at the city skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.Everything she had planned against Eva had backfired spectacularly. Instead of destroying Evaâs reputation, she had only fueled the publicâs admiration for her. The industry was turning against Christine, and the narrative was slipping out of her control.A soft click of heels echoed through the room, breaking Christine from her thoughts.âChristine?âShe turned her head slightly, finding Tanya standing near the entrance, a curious look on her face.Tanya was one of the few people Christine trustedâor rather, toleratedâbecause she was useful. Smart, cunning, and always willing to play dirty, Tanya had been by Christineâs side long enough to know exactly how far she was willing to go to get what she wanted.âWh
A few days after Mark successfully cleared his name from the Harper Luxuries scandal, Christine sat alone in her dressing room, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping impatiently against the vanity table.She had tried everythingâsabotage, whispers in the right ears, carefully placed rumorsâyet Eva always came out unscathed. Every plan Christine devised had crumbled before her eyes, and it was beginning to drive her insane.If indirect tactics didnât work, she had to change her approach. This time, she wouldnât hide behind shadows. She wouldnât need to.Instead, she would manipulate the situation so well that Eva would ruin herself.All she needed was the perfect stage.---An exclusive fashion gala was set to take place, attended by top designers, influencers, and media elites. Both Eva and Christine had been invited as brand ambassadors for their respective labels.Christine smirked to herself. This was it. The perfect opportunity.She had carefully arranged for the mediaâs attenti
The dim candlelight cast a golden glow over the elegantly set dining table. A soft melody played in the background, filling the room with warmth. Christine had spent hours preparing thisâhis favorite dishes, the finest wine. Tonight had to be perfect.She glanced at the clock anxiously. Mark would be home soon. And she had to fix this.The front door finally opened, and Mark stepped inside. His face was tired, his eyes dark with frustration. He didnât even glance at the romantic dinner she had prepared. Instead, he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.âChristine, what is this?â His voice was cold.Christine swallowed and stepped toward him. âA dinner. For us.âMark scoffed, shaking his head. âA dinner? Christine, do you have any idea what Iâve been dealing with? My fatherâs furious. Investors are backing out after the Harper Luxuries. I've lost of funds.â His voice grew sharper, filled with exhaustion. âAnd do you know what people are whispering? That my own fiancÃĐe might
The silence between them was thick with unspoken thoughts, but Damien wasnât one to leave things unresolved. He turned slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her.âWhy didnât you ask for my help?â His voice was calm but held an edge of something deeperâsomething close to frustration.Eva, who had been absentmindedly tracing the rim of her wine glass, glanced at him. A small smirk curled her lips, but it didnât quite reach her eyes.âBecause it was something I could handle,â she said simply. âLike always.âDamienâs expression remained unreadable, but his fingers curled slightly against his knee. âAnd if you couldnât?âEva shrugged. âThen I would have asked. But it wasnât time for that yet.âThat answer didnât satisfy him. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. âEvaâââI know what youâre going to say,â she interrupted, meeting his gaze head-on. âYou think I should have let you take care of it. But Damien, I donât always need you to fight my battles. Sometimes, I want to win them on my own
Eva sat on the couch, feeling bored. The scandal had caused too much noise, and going homeâwhere the paparazzi were undoubtedly lurkingâwas out of the question.With a sigh, Eva reached for her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Her finger hovered over Damien for a moment before she pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before his deep, smooth voice came through. âEva.âJust her name. Nothing more. But there was something in the way he said itâlow, controlled, yet sharp with attentionâthat made her exhale slowly.âHey,â she murmured, leaning against the plush headboard.Silence. Then, âWhatâs wrong?âShe almost smiled. He always saw through her.âI canât go home,â she admitted, rubbing her temple. âThe reporters are camped outside. And after todayâs interviewâĶ theyâll only get worse.âDamien didnât answer immediately. She could hear the faint rustling of papers, the click of a pen, before he finally spoke. âWhere are you?ââPenthouse suite at the Grand Royale,â she repli