~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~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
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
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
GEORGIA, ATLANTA 2017 ~SIERRA~ I took a sip of my drink before my eyes roamed. Everything about the day was perfect, sunny, classy restaurant, expensive wine, and soft country music in the background—perfect for a date, right? Only it wasn’t a date—well, maybe for my husband, but not for me. I placed my glass down on the table as my gaze fell on a couple who I presumed to be on their first date or maybe just trying to have lunch. He pulled a chair out for her, and she muttered something in his ear, which he chuckled at, and he took his seat across from her. He took her hands into his, sweetly looking at her, and he started talking. My eyes wandered back to my husband, who was deep in conversation with his friends. When I looked at the two women, my husband’s friends' wives, I started to regret coming here. They were engaged in a conversation, talking about business and fashion; I didn’t know anything about it. I looked back at my husband; I was sure he had forgotten I was eve
GEORGIA, ATLANTA 2017~SIERRA~“Sierra, she’s back, everything between us ends today,” he said calmly.“Who?”"Oh, come on, you know who, don’t act stupid,” he said, sounding irritated. “The woman at the restaurant is Cassie?” I pretended to be clueless. I didn't want a divorce."Yes, and she’s back, you know what that means, right?” He looked at me, seeking confirmation, but I played dumbfounded.“What happens to us, what we’ve built?” “There’s no us Sierra, when are you going to get that through your head? I’ve never lied to you about my feelings for Cassie,” he said with no emotion in his eyes.“But you married me, I’m your wife now,” I muttered in a low tone. As much as I wanted to shout, I still felt a lot of pain.“That’s why I’m suggesting a divorce. You will be compensated for the years you’ve been with me,” he said, and just as I was about to plead, the door opened and a middle-aged man walked in. By his dress code, I easily figured him to be a doctor.“Mrs. Winters, how ar
GEORGIA, ATLANTA 2017~SIERRA~“We still don’t have a name, but hopefully we will make one soon,” I told her, and she nodded. “Why are you sleeping here? You can come with us and have the guest room, or why don’t you go to your grandmother? Does she know you’re here?” She asked."No, I’m fine here, thank you so much, Lily. My grandmother doesn’t know I’m here.”“You didn’t get a chance to call her?”“No, I would rather not,” I said and she nodded.“Should I come pick you up tomorrow?”"No, it is fine, I’ll find my way. Thank you so much, Lily,” I declined, as I didn't want to invade her busy schedule.“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Call me if you need anything. I have to go now,” she kissed my cheeks before leaving.When she closed the door, I felt lonely. I have always been alone. Damian never reciprocated my love, but just the thought of him being my husband filled that loneliness, now that he mentioned divorcing me, the loneliness was here. “He’s just nervous, he will come ar
GEORGIA, ATLANTA 2017~DAMIAN~When Sierra insisted on following me on a lunch date with my friends, I was hesitant. My friends never liked her—only Lily, but the rest didn’t. Wanting to teach her a lesson for being clingy, I agreed.We arrived, and as usual, my friends and I started talking about law. While Ava and Lily talked about women's things—brands, clothes, or whatever women talk about—Sierra looked completely lost, just like I expected. Everything went well, and then Cassie appeared. Of course, Ava mentioned that Cassie would return, I just didn’t know she was already in town. She called me days ago to tell me about her divorce. I just wanted to be there for her, I even offered her the CEO position of my company, as it would take a weight off my shoulders. Managing a business, being a lawyer, and being Sierra’s husband was draining.My heart felt at ease seeing her again until Sierra ruined it with her fake discomfort. Angry, I asked her for divorce just for the doctor to co