Here's a polished version of your text:---Everyone at the company has been eagerly awaiting Carol’s arrival at the office. The party started long ago, and although she’s the star of the day, nobody wants to ask her to come, hoping to keep it a surprise.“Boss, how long will it take for her to get here?” one of the employees asks Damien, who’s also attending the party.Damien himself is puzzled. The party began sharply at 8 a.m., and Carol left the house before 7, right after breakfast. He assumed she’d already arrived, but she’s nowhere to be found.“James, try to find out why she hasn’t arrived yet,” Damien says calmly, though the deep frown on his face shows he’s not pleased.James nods and steps away to a quiet spot to message Carol. But his attention is drawn to Tracy, the temporary assistant helping Carol with her training.“Good morning, Mr. James!” Tracy, an HR team member who’s been assisting Carol, smiles and heads toward her office.“Good morning. Aren’t you attending the
“Sis, one thing I can't understand about Carol!” Alex puts two cans of beer in the glove compartment and looks at Brianna, who is in the driver's seat, a curious frown on his face. “What?” she asks, taking out a cigarette, her tone casual as she lights it. “Need one?” “No! Don’t smoke!” he hisses, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. “Why doesn’t she live in her villa instead of her small house? I’ve never seen her go there or take us with her!” Brianna takes a drag, her expression indifferent. “Because she can’t.” “She can’t?” Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Why not? That villa is really big. I wish I could have a nice house like that!” Brianna shrugs, saying nothing as she starts driving, sliding the window down to let the smoke out of the car.Alex just sighs. There is something that Brianna knows about Carol but he doesn't. Meanwhile, James walks into the chairperson's office, his brow furrowed with concern as he approaches Damien, who is staring at his phone
Carol leans over the railing, watching as night deepens into the beauty of the world. Her breathing is slow, her eyes resting in the sky. Despite everything she’s been handling, she feels at ease, almost perfect.Life has given her many experiences, and now, nothing seems to tire her. She’s learned to control herself, her feelings, and her emotions. Sickness, sadness, happiness, exhaustion—they’re all like old friends to her now. She’s fine with her life as it is.On this calm night, without expectations or hope, Carol stands there, enjoying the moment. But her peaceful reverie is interrupted as her eyes shift to the balcony below. She thought the room underneath the lobby was a guest room, yet there sits Damien in his wheelchair, staring up at her. She flinches, instinctively straightening up.She shakes her head, thinking she must have imagined it, but when she looks again, their eyes meet. Damien’s expression is unreadable, though she catches a flicker of some uncertain emotion tha
The word "temporary" makes Damien undeniably upset. However, he chooses to keep his mouth and mind shut. It’s just a matter of time for them to know whether it’s temporary or… there is no turning back.Damien remains silent, and so does Carol. But the tension between them is still there, taking its place comfortably.Time passes; unlike other days, today, the TV is only busy playing. There is no funny conversation, no serious or silly conversation either. Damien is eating his side of chicken, and Carol is having some chips. Their eyes are fixed. But each of their hearts knows how fast they are beating.Time passes, and an hour has finished, but nobody talks anymore. Somehow, the silence today is irritating and deafening.Damien finally moves a bit, lessening the distance. Since Carol needs to focus on the subtitles, she doesn’t notice what Damien has been doing.As she prepares to grab the glass of juice and bends over, she flinches, almost jumping in her spot when Damien wraps his ar
The rest of the day, she spends in a daze and hesitation. What will happen if she asks Damien who brought her to the room? It's an innocent question, right? She can ask about it. But once again, what if he inquires about it? Did she do something wrong? Isn’t it like a drunken mistake? She isn’t even sure if she kissed him or not. Who was it? The footsteps were unfamiliar.She should have woken up immediately. She sighs frustratedly.While lost in her thoughts, Carol keeps herself busy with everything—her medical treatment, handling the police for Ashley and Troy's trespassing and destruction of her property. She has no time to enjoy the weekend with Damien.But one thing surprises her. How it doesn’t matter to Damien—the distance between them. Maybe she’s the one who changed her expectations. Isn’t it supposed to be none of her business if Damien talks to her or not?He has made it clear she doesn’t hold any place in his life. However, in the last few weeks, Damien has been active in
**I don’t know what you’re talking about!** Damien tries to deny it, seeming unaware that this only makes things harder for her.**So… someone else kissed me last night?**Damien’s eyebrows lift in surprise, but he remains silent. She tries to search for an answer in his eyes and meet with coldness and indifference. She sighs deeply.There’s no reason to misunderstand or hide the truth. They’re legally married and allow certain liberties with each other. She has already told him that he is allowed to ask for certain rights as a husband. However, Carol has made it clear she doesn’t want third parties complicating their relationship.Yet, things between them have escalated to an unbearable level of confusion.Carol, observant and perceptive, detects a hint of guilt in his eyes. She decides to stop overthinking. Maybe she kissed him, and he’s simply too embarrassed to admit it. Or maybe—Her eyes shift to Lucy, standing behind them, completely unapologetic after pulling her into the poo
**You betrayed me?** Carol’s hands tremble as she signs the words, her gaze locked onto Damien. He looks… different now, like someone she barely recognizes. The man she once trusted feels like a stranger before her eyes. The silence between them is heavy, suffocating. Carol waits, heart pounding, as his cold expression pierces her. She feels the regret beginning to gnaw at her heart. Finally, she lets the question she’s been dreading slip out, her fingers moving hesitantly, signing, **How long have you known me? Did… did you know me before our wedding?** Damien's jaw tightens. His eyes shift to the floor, avoiding hers. Carol’s heart sinks deeper, and it’s as if the floor beneath her is crumbling away. **So, it’s true…** she signs, heartbroken. This isn’t a misunderstanding. Those people were telling her the truth. He knew her before the wedding! Every cherished memory, every quiet, shared moment—it all feels like a lie, unraveling thread by thread. She steps back, clutching her
**This ring belonged to my great-grandmother,** Carol signs, gently tracing the diamond’s surface. Damien, holding her close, smiles and kisses her knuckles.**Should I buy a matching ring?** he signs.**Really? That would be perfect! Let me buy it for you... for my husband!** she grins.Her husband! Damien grins and nods, pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder, making Carol blush. His eyes are intense and she can't keep looking at him for a few seconds. ** I am looking forward to it!**Carol nods shyly. He’s such a gentleman.She turns, resting her head on his chest. Next to his broad frame, she feels tiny. She’d been surprised to notice his defined abs; he’s clearly dedicated to staying fit.She gently rubs his abs while staring at his legs. She wants to touch his legs but somehow hesitates. She wants to take things slowly. Not too rush or becoming too personal. After all, the heartbreak and betrayal of love has been a fresh wound that has started healing recently. She doesn't want t