~DAMIAN~I was already in the living room. I kicked the table in frustration. Before my mother died, her last wish was for me to get married. I already failed her, and now I was about to fail my father too, as his wish was for me to make The Winters successful. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Winters, but I suggest you stay home for at least a week before you can make an appearance here, just until everything cools down.”“I know, well, I’m trusting you and Lily with the company, is Jane there?” I asked as Jane hadn’t called to check on me, which was unlike her, she always called when I was an hour late for work.
~DAMIAN~I gasped for air as I felt my nose blocked. It felt like everything in me had just stopped working, I couldn’t feel the blood flow to my head, and it felt like my head went blank. "Damian, you need to breathe. Breathe okay.” James's voice sounded far away from me while I felt him help me sit up. "Okay, open your mouth,” he instructed, but I shook my head. He forced open my mouth and poured the shot into my mouth. He held my lips together and forced me to swallow. “Passing out won’t help, better drink up and come up with a solution to it,” he said, I swallowed the alcohol, and I started to feel better.It took about five minutes for the alcohol to do its magic, and next, I felt like myself again, although my heart was beating in pain as with every beat it felt like it was hitting against a rock. “I asked her to kill them, I’m a monster, how do I even face them?” "Damian, you need to calm down.”“You’re asking me to calm down, I just told you that I’m a monster, that I’m a mur
~SIERRA~I was in my office, still trying Gilbert’s number. I have been trying since I woke up, but still, he didn’t pick it up. I left countless voice notes, but he hasn’t gotten back to me. I wanted to apologize, I wanted him to come back. Yes, I was strong, but I realised I was strong because he believed in me. Gilbert always made me believe I could do anything, and that’s why I got here. I couldn’t lose our friendship over this, and if he loved me, then there was no problem in giving him a chance. Gilbert has been a good man, caring and loving. What more could I ask for in a man? Nana said I wasn’t growing young, and really, I’ve mourned over Damian enough if he could move on, who was I not to?
~SIERRA~Nana sat beside me and took my hands in hers. I blinked the tears and looked at her. “You don't have to marry Gilbert if you don't love him.” I chuckled, confused, she was the one advising me to give Gilbert a chance just a few days ago. When did she change her mind? “What I mean is that you don’t need to enter a relationship you don’t want just for the sake of others.”“They are not others, Nana, they are my children.”“I know. Do you remember what I told you? I know we sacrifice for our children, but when we are unhappy with the sacrifice, the ones we sacrificed for won’t be happy either, they might even blame themselves for your unhappiness.” She gently rubbed my hands.“It doesn’t matter, Nana, my children's happiness should come first,” I said, and she nodded.“I ask that you think about it. Remember, they are children. Sure, they are upset right now, but once a day or two passes, they’ll forget all about Gilbert and move on,” she said, and I smiled before I stood up and
~NEXT DAY~~SIERRA~I took my satin high-cut slit golden dress, I haven’t worn it in years. It was for special occasions, but since I was going to try and convince Gilbert—I needed to look beautiful. I sat on a chair to curl my hair, but as I picked the curler, I remembered what Cassie said—she was the one who picked up Damian’s phone, she told me he asked her to pick it up and tell me to stay away. Well, Cassie reminded me of the time she returned when he threw divorce papers at me. She reminded me how he wanted nothing to do with my kids, and I thanked her for picking as I was really stupid to think that Damian deserved to know about my kids when he refused them even before they were born.
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~I couldn’t believe it. Gilbert was here having fun while I blamed myself for his leave when he actually left to come for his reasons. I felt so stupid that I even palmed my forehead. “It’s…it’s not what you think, I…I can explain.” I shook my head and turned to leave. Of course, he came running but stopped by the door as he was still naked. “Sierra! Please, l–let me get dressed so we can discuss this.” I didn’t listen as I walked to my car, and the guard opened the door for me. How could he explain this? He was drugged, because clearly he wasn’t since he had the guts to complain when she tapped him. “Ms. Reid, is everything okay?” My driver asked as soon as he noticed my mood.I rubbed my forehead and then nodded. “Can you take me to the nearest bar, please?”“Alright,” he agreed as he nodded and made a turn. My guards suggested to the driver a bar with privacy, they wanted to avoid fans.It didn’t take time to arrive at a bar, as the driver pulled over a
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~I couldn’t believe him, so because I almost kissed him, he thought I wanted to sleep with him. I gestured to my guard to pay for the bill and stood up. "Please,” he begged. I only looked at him and attempted to walk away, and he stood too, and held me by my hand. But before I could ask him to let me go, one of my guards came and got between us. “Sierra, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that,” he apologized. "Please stay, let’s chat,” he said, but I shook my head and walked out with my other guard holding my hand while the others held him. Luckily, the bar was not filled with people as it was still early, so no dramas.
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~Nana was right, Ava couldn't keep anything from Damian. I can't believe I trusted her. I didn't want to sound guilty, as I didn't do nothing wrong. “I don't know what you're talking about, and what gave you the right to call me this late?”“I had already done DNA on them, you will not keep them from me anymore, I will be in their lives. God, Sierra, I can't believe you did this,” he said."Wait, are you serious right now? Are you sure you haven't taken alcohol because...”
FLORIDA, ST. AUGUSTINE 2023~DAMIAN~Ingrid did a good job keeping Sierra out, as it has been over two hours and they haven't returned to the house yet.The sun was setting and everything was perfect; we didn't need to do much, just the colorful lights, as the house was clean already.“Bottle is here,” Nathan excitedly said as he brought the bottle of juice. The bottle was the same as the one for champagne, and since they were too young for alcohol and Sierra was in that condition, we decided to settle for juice.“They are coming,” Atlas, who had been at the window, alerted us, and I quickly stood to my feet and hid the little box."Okay, wish me luck,” I said, and they both nodded, then Atlas switched off the light so that the candles could stand out.“Let us know when she says yes,” they said in unison before they hid behind the sofa.I was nervous. I've never been this nervous, even when I was handling court cases. I never got nervous, but Sierra, God, her reaction scared me.As I
FLORIDA, ST. AUGUSTINE 2023~DAMIAN~Whoever said love was a drug was damn right because I was high on it. Watching someone sleep for over an hour and simply enjoying the view is crazy because for the past week that's all I've been doing—watching Sierra sleep. It somehow gave me peace.After Sierra was released from the hospital, we stayed a week so I could sort everything.Ethan took over the head at the Winters, Sierra, and Thomas caught up as he left the detective work since Sam was not happy with it. Sierra gave them one of her restaurants in Texas, and they moved there—living in Sierra's home while Jane and her family moved into Sierra's mansion, the one in Georgia. Beatrice and Lana took mine as I wanted to express my gratitude for helping Sierra raise my children.After sorting everything, I booked tickets to Florida for a vacation since the holidays were in a month. We were still choosing a place to settle and start a family, as Georgia and Texas held bad memories, so we were
~DAMIAN~The first days we used protection, but after a few, we just couldn't control ourselves as we would get in the moment and only think of protection afterward. I didn't need protection; Sierra was my wife, but she always brought it up.Well, I was just so happy that we were going to have a baby—that Sierra gave me another chance.I walked to her bedside, kneeled, and started apologizing.“I'm sorry, I...”“It's okay; I know you did it to protect me.”“Still I hurt you; I should have told you; I shouldn't have pushed you away like that.”“And I understand; I forgive you; I do.” She was now holding my hands. “Please get up.”“Sierra I…”“Now Damian,” she demanded, and so I was left with no choice but to get up.“I'm really sorry; I promise that was not my intention; I was just trying to protect you and our kids. Ava called me; she threatened me.” She nodded her head in understanding and then squeezed my hand in a comforting manner.“Do you want to feel her heartbeat?” she asked, a
~DAMIAN~ “I was not planning to kill you, but...” Ava said as she walked close to Sierra, the burning matchstick still in between her fingers. My hands were now in the air, pleading with her. “Please… Whatever I have done, please just... Just let Sierra go, punish...punish me.” "Oh, sweet Damian, my cousin is in love,” she mockingly said, “but this is not about you; it's about her, her mother!” she yelled. “Actually,” she calmed herself, “it's about the both of you; your father did my mother dirty and her mother did my mother dirty, and so you are both going to pay.” It was not the Ava I knew; this woman sounded crazy. “Ava…” “Kneel!” I didn't want to argue, as I knew trying to reason would not work, so I kneeled my eyes on Sierra and the matchstick between Ava's fingers. “Good,” she mockingly said and blew to the matchstick so the fire could go as it was below her finger. “Do you want to hear a little story?” She asked as if I had a choice. Then she started talking about h
~DAMIAN~“Speed up!” I yelled, and Thomas agreed with me as he asked the driver to drive faster. Each second we were wasting was ticking as Sierra's life was in danger.When Atlas returned, he told me about the people who kidnapped him and how they told him that I was his father. I knew it wasn't the right time, but I took him upstairs to his siblings and told them the truth—that I was their father and that Sierra and I were once together.I didn't tell them about the contract as I thought it might be complicated for them, and so I told them about making a horrible mistake that made Sierra walk away. They were understanding, as they didn't judge; instead, they were happy that I was their father.I was not in a better mood, so I forced them to eat and helped them get ready for bed before I left Mrs. Woods with them as Jane had to get home to her baby. Sam and Thomas stayed downstairs with the officers, who came to help check for clues, and waited in case the kidnappers called—they thou
~SIERRA~Ava explained planning Damian’s parents' deaths because, as she said, the company and everything the Winters owned belonged to her. She explained how she got Damian on a drug so he would have terrible headaches. “I haven't been giving it to him lately, so he seems to be overcoming it,” she added. Then she explained using Carl to have her revenge on Mr. Reid since Damian’s parents were out of her way now."Oh, and the second man who left my mother couldn't be found. Turns out my so-called father wasn't useless as he took him down, leaving his son and wife in the streets.”“Son?”"Yes, your brother.”“What?!”“Ow, don't tell me the detective hasn't told you that you're his sister; that's why he has been protective over you; it's because you're his little sister.”“What?!” again I asked, as this was too much. How was it possible that Detective Thomas was my brother? Okay, nothing was making sense.“The man your father was cheating with was Thomas’s father.” She said, but I shook
~SIERRA~I haven't seen Ava since forever; she said to be in New York working with patients. How was it that she was here? My eyes roamed the room, and I realized, unlike where Lily took me, this place seemed like a home as I was on a sofa. I was almost relaxed, but when I saw that both my legs and hands were tied, I panicked.“W-what's going on? Why am I here? And…”“This is not the time for questions, Sierra; trust me.” Ava cut me as she picked a glass of wine on the table and took a sip before she placed it down and then stared at me.I still didn't understand what was happening, but something was clear: Ava tied my legs and hands, which meant she was the one who caused that accident; she was the one who kidnapped me.“Ava I…”“I will shut your mouth for you if you don't shut it; it's me to talk, not you.” She calmly said, and I nodded my head. Then she stood up with the glass of wine in her hands and said, "See, years ago, Rosemarie was just an innocent girl who didn't know the w
~SIERRA~I cleaned my cheeks and then walked toward my car. My driver was standing out as he opened the door for me. “To the station,” I told him as he waited for my instruction."Yes, ma’am,” he said and then started the car.Again, I found my hand traveling down to my flat belly. I never planned for this, and now that Damian didn't want the child, I was not going to keep it. I haven't seen myself pregnant for over five years, especially with Damian's child again.Or maybe he knew that I fell pregnant and he was doing the same thing he did years ago, running away. I closed my eyes and tried to focus. No, I couldn't let this distract me; I won't let it get in my way of finally having peace.“Ms. Reid,” the driver's voice shook me out of my thoughts. I then realized we had arrived at the station. “Should I come in with you?” He asked as he opened the door for me. I shook my head and told him to wait for me there; he just worked for me; I didn't need him to mix with my problems.When I
~SIERRA~No, this was not happening; I won't let it happen again. So I banged once more and the door flew open, and Damian, who looked healthy like he was not just in a coma, opened and asked me to come in. I could tell by his facial expression that something was wrong.“Do you want anything?” He asked as I took a seat on the sofa. No, I was calm. I was not the same Sierra from years ago who burst when he started acting like this. I was a mature, respectful woman. I couldn't act on my emotions, so I asked him for a glass of water.He walked away to the kitchen, and my eyes couldn't help but roam the area; it was just the same as I left it, in Cassie's style.“Water,” Damian's voice made me turn to him. I took the glass from his hand and thanked him, then placed it on the table.“Okay,” I cleared my throat as he looked restless like he wanted me to leave. “The doctor called me and told me you left without his consent.”"Yeah, I'm feeling fine; why should he keep me there?” He sounded r