Damian's POVI gave Lila my most reassuring smile, leaning in just a bit as if to emphasise my sincerity. “I’m offering you a special partnership,” I said, my voice smooth and comforting. Confusion was evident on Lila's face still. “Special partnership? Apart from being a shareholder, what other partnership are you talking about “Let me handle the heavy lifting for you,” I told her. “You’re a Monroe—you deserve to enjoy the wealth, the legacy, without getting lost in the cutthroat details that can trip anyone up.”Will she ever stop looking confused? “While I manage the business side of things,” I further clarified, “you can take your time to learn at your own pace. There’s no rush. And I’ll make sure you’re protected every step of the way.”It seems I'm at least making progress. There was a pause, a silence that felt like it stretched on forever as she processed my words. I could practically see the gears turning in her mind—the doubt, the desperation, the longing for someone to
Lila's POVThe ride home felt like a dream as I sat in the back of my brand-new car, watching the familiar streets blur by through the tinted windows. It was hard to believe how much had changed in just a matter of days. I could still feel the weight of the CEO documents I’d signed earlier today, the sense of responsibility that had settled on my shoulders. But right now, I didn’t want to think about the company or deal lost—I just wanted to share my little victory with the people who mattered most.As we pulled up to the house, I could already see the curtains twitching. Mom was peeking out, curious and anxious as ever. She had no idea I’d be arriving in a brand-new luxury car, let alone one with a driver. I smiled, my heart swelling with excitement and pride as I stepped out of the car.“Mum!” I called out, waving as I walked up to the front porch.Mum had already wheeled herself to the door and she opened the door, her eyes widening when she saw me. “Lila!” she exclaimed, one ha
Lila's POVDamian came in early today. Despite being the CEO of a massive company himself, he somehow found the time to help me with my workload. Sometimes I feel guilty—like I’m burdening him, pulling him away from his own responsibilities. But every time I mention it, he just brushes it off with a smile, telling me it's no trouble at all.I think what amazes me most is how willingly he takes on the chaos of Monroe Corporation. There’s no obligation for him to help, yet he steps in without hesitation. I catch him focused and diligent, tackling the most complicated tasks, even the ones that make my head spin. I can't help but admire him for that.Damian Left early today after helping me out with most of the strenuous tasks, leaving me with much easier ones to get familiar with. He had tried, but today took a turn I wasn’t expecting.Not long after Damain left, It was early afternoon when I got into the car with my driver. We were heading back to the office after a quick lunch meetin
Lila's POV I immediately took out my hand from the cocoon of the blanket and quickly grabbed the pillow, pressing it firmly over my ear. But it only did little to cushion the sound of the loud thunder that came after the lightning. I winced.My next train of thoughts was rueful.Although the rain clouds weren't palpable early enough to herald the arrival of rain, I still blamed myself for not paying enough attention.If I knew that it would rain tonight, despite the long day and exhaustion, I would have just ran home to mum. Whenever there's thunder and lightning like this, having someone beside me helps me ease my astraphobia. I remember how mum will always tease me to go get a man whenever I cling to her in fright, but I still used to find comfort in her embrace whenever there's thunder and lightning. But what would I do now when I'm all alone and it's quite late? My chest tightened with a knot of frustration that I couldn't shake off. Suddenly, my phone rang and I checked t
Damian's POV I didn't go to my main apartment tonight. Since I had spent most of the day in my own company, and I planned to resume early to Monroe Corporation tomorrow, I chose the apartment I own close to Monroe Corporation to retire retire for the night. It's not very far to Lila's new apartment.It's been such a busy day, so as I settled in my apartment, I just had the time to go through my phone. I saw a notification from Monroe Corporation's group. Lila had an accident. Regardless of the fact that I had my manipulative intentions too which I'm still taking very slowly—slow enough for her not to see it coming, my heart skipped a beat when I got that notification.Wait… why does my heart seem to pull different kinds of stunts sometimes when things had to do with her?This is the same person that I didn't mind kidnapping just to keep her away from plans when I first learnt about her. It didn't bother me one bit. I'm sure that if I had met her that day at the front of the diner,
Damian's POV.The memory of the night replayed in my mind like a broken record even as I lay on Lila's bed last night. After the rain had stopped, as well as the lightning and thunder, and we had both realised what we'd done by chance, we both retired to bed quietly to sleep away the memory. I would have just gone back to my apartment immediately but it appeared that Lila still needed someone around a little longer. The storm, the kiss, the unspoken intensity that hung between us—it all felt so raw, so undeniably real. Yet, as I lay awake in Lila’s bed, staring at the ceiling while she faced the other way, I told myself it was nothing more than lust. A fleeting moment of weakness. My body had betrayed my mind, and I needed to get a grip.The silence stretched between us, broken only by the occasional rustle of sheets as she shifted slightly, and I wondered if she was awake too, lost in her own thoughts. I waited until her breathing slowed, indicating she'd fallen asleep, before I
Damian’s POV“Lila, are you there?” I called out again when I didn't hear any response from her just like she did last night before I had to rush to her place.Does she have a thing for going quiet suddenly? Finally, I heard her swallow audibly, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I went to my company’s apartment earlier today, just to settle a few things before heading home. Damian... someone broke in.”My eyes narrowed, and I felt a cold wave of surprise wash over me. “What? What happened?” I asked sharply, though my mind was already racing. This was unexpected. I had been the one to assign someone to hack her phone, but this... this was something else entirely.“The window... it was shattered,” she said, her voice trembling. “The same way it was at my main house the other night. It’s like whoever broke into my home did the same thing to my company’s apartment.”I clenched my jaw, tension coiling in my chest. This wasn't part of my plan. Whatever games I was playing with Lila, bre
Lila's POV The morning air was crisp with the usual buzz of the company coming to life. My mind was preoccupied with everything that had happened lately—the shattered windows, the break-in, and all the tension that seemed to hang like a dark cloud over my head. The more I paid attention to these things, the more I realised that a danger might be lurking somewhere in the shadows, waiting for the right time to manifest. But I just can't seem to wrap my mind around whatever it is. Even as Randall seemed to be my prime suspect, judging from his sudden change of behaviour, I still can't be too sure since there's no solid evidence to corroborate my speculation of him.Speak of the devilI barely had a chance to settle into my thoughts when I saw him—Randall.He was one of the first few people I ran into, standing by the reception desk, talking to the receptionist as she was flipping through some documents. When our eyes met, he greeted me with a wide, innocent smile that caught me compl
Lila's POVMy heart thudded violently against my chest as Connor’s words sank in. A surprise? What could he possibly mean? I barely had time to process it when he motioned to his armed men to fetch something.“No... please, no...” I whispered, dread creeping into my voice.But before I could dwell further on his intentions, my attention snapped to Valerie. Connor’s slap had sent her sprawling onto the cold floor, and my stomach churned as I saw the dark, unmistakable stain of blood pooling beneath her. My breath caught in my throat.“Valerie!” I screamed, my voice trembling with horror.Her lips moved faintly, but no sound came. My heart ached for her—even after all she had done, no one deserved this.“Let her suffer,” Connor sneered, his grip on my arm like a vice.But then my eyes darted to Damian, crumpled on the floor, his chest rising and falling weakly. Panic surged through me as I called his name. “Damian! Damian, wake up!”There was no response. His eyes were shut, his face pa
Damian's POVConnor’s laughter echoed in my ears, a cruel sound that grated against the raw edges of my resolve. The pain from his blows radiated through my body, but I refused to let him see how much it affected me. The two men holding me tightened their grip as Connor swung the metal rod again, slamming it against my ribs.“You know what’s funny, Damian?” he said, his voice dripping with mockery as he paced in front of me. “It’s that you thought you were such a hero that night. Beating me to a pulp for trying to have a little fun with your precious Lila.”He leaned closer, his breath hot against my face as his smirk widened. “But here’s the kicker—you remember Valerie, don’t you?”I didn’t respond, my jaw clenched tightly against the wave of anger and shame threatening to bubble over.Connor laughed again, a dark, sinister sound. “Of course, you do. You two had a real cozy night together at that bar, didn’t you?” He turned to Lila, his grin widening. “Oh, you didn’t know, did you?
Damian's POVThe night was heavy with silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves as I moved closer to Connor’s house. My body protested every step, the dull ache in my abdomen a constant reminder of my unhealed wound. But the pain was insignificant compared to the anger surging through me.The dim light spilling from a window guided my path as I crouched behind a low hedge. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat echoing like a drum in the stillness. Finally, I saw her. Valerie.After she and Connor had a little argument and he left, She stood alone near the back door, her posture casual, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. That sight only fueled my rage. She looked calm now, unbothered—like she hadn’t been the one to lie, to extort, to string me along for months with the weight of a secret child.My vision blurred with fury. Before I even realized what I was doing, I stepped out of the shadows and grabbed her. My hand wrapped tightly around her neck, not enough
Lila's POVThe sound of the car door slamming jolted me slightly in the cramped, dark space of the trunk. I held my breath for a moment, listening carefully for any sign that Damian might have realized I was here.Nothing. Just the low hum of the car’s engine as it roared to life.I adjusted myself slightly, making sure the trunk wasn’t fully closed so air could filter through. The space was stifling, and every bump in the road sent a dull ache through my body as I shifted uncomfortably against the hard interior. But this discomfort was nothing compared to the swirling storm of thoughts raging in my mind.Damian’s face flashed before me—those fiery eyes, sharp with fury and something else I couldn’t quite place. His reaction earlier felt... different. It was more than just his usual protective instinct flaring up because of Connor. It was deeper.Rage radiated off him like heat waves in the desert. Even in his weakened state, he seemed utterly consumed by it.I swallowed hard, tryin
Damian's POVThe moment I heard the faint hum of Lila’s car fading away, I exhaled deeply, my resolve hardening. The doctor had been insufferable, his protests grating on my nerves as if I didn’t already know my own limits. My body was screaming for rest, the pain in my abdomen a constant, gnawing reminder of my injury, but I didn’t care. The only thing that mattered now was to track Connor and Valerie—especially Valerie.“I’ll need painkillers,” I told the doctor curtly.He hesitated again, clearly torn between his professional duty and the icy glare I shot his way. “Sir, I—”“Now.” My voice left no room for negotiation, and he finally relented, fetching the medication and handing it to me with a resigned sigh.As soon as I swallowed the pill, I stood, my knees wobbling slightly. The painkillers wouldn’t kick in immediately, but I’d endure. I always did. I managed to make my way to the parking lot, each step a sharp reminder of what I’d just been through. Yet, my focus was laser-s
Lila's POVThe soft beeping of the heart monitor was a constant backdrop as I sat by Damian's bedside, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast a warm glow over his pale but peaceful face. His strong features, though slightly softened by his current state, still held that captivating strength that made my heart ache.It had been a long night, and now an even longer day. Watching him fight for his life had been agony. The doctors had assured me this morning that he was out of danger after they removed the bullet. And when his eyes fluttered open earlier, I had cried tears of relief. He had slipped back into sleep in the afternoon, and I spent those quiet hours keeping watch, unable to leave his side.The doctor’s words replayed in my head: It will take time for him to recover fully. I sighed, resting my head on the chair’s back, exhausted but determined. Seeing him like this made me realize how deeply I loved him.Suddenly, Damian stirre
Lila's POV The room felt suffocating, every word Nicholas spoke laced with venom. Damian had stopped struggling for a moment, his chest heaving as if he were holding back the storm brewing inside him. Beside him, I remained frozen, barely able to process the revelation Nicholas had just dropped on us like a bomb.Nicholas’s smirk widened as he noticed our silence. “Ah, you’re quiet now, aren’t you? Finally sinking in, Damian? Your precious mother isn’t the only casualty in my pursuit of control.”My heart pounded against my ribs. I didn’t want to hear more—I couldn’t. But Nicholas leaned closer, his voice a sinister whisper that seemed to echo off the walls.“Your beloved Diana,” he drawled, drawing out her name as if savoring it. “Such a sweet girl, wasn’t she? So curious, so eager to uncover the truth. But curiosity,” he said with a wicked smile, “comes at a price.”My breath hitched, and I saw Damian stiffen, his head snapping toward Nicholas.Nicholas straightened, his tone shif
Lila's POVNicholas pulled a gun from his pocket, the cold glint of metal catching my eye. My breath hitched, but I refused to show fear. He sauntered toward me with a sickening smirk, his gaze full of condescension and malice. When he stopped directly in front of me, I felt the bile rise in my throat.“Such a brave little bird,” he mocked, crouching so that we were at eye level. His fingers reached out, trailing along my cheek like a predator savoring its prey.My stomach churned. His touch was repulsive, vile. I clenched my fists against the ropes binding me to the chair, my nails digging into my palms. The disgust inside me bubbled over, and without thinking, I leaned forward and spat directly in his face.“Get your grubby hands off me!” I snapped, my voice trembling with fury.Nicholas froze, stunned by my defiance. His smirk faltered for the briefest moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise.Even I was taken aback by my reaction. There was a man with a gun in front of me, someo
Damian's POVNicholas took a step closer, his expression triumphant. “That’s right,” he said, his voice quieter now but no less cutting. “You don’t have a single drop of my blood in you. So it’s no wonder, really. You’ve never been like me, and you never will be.”The room seemed to tilt, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. I had despised him for as long as I could remember, but this... this revelation shook me to my core.Nicholas stood there, his arms crossed over his chest, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched me struggle with the weight of his words. The room felt smaller, the air thicker, as the gravity of what he was saying sunk in. I wanted to believe it was a sick joke, some twisted game he was playing to throw me off balance.“You’re lying,” I spat, my voice hoarse but defiant. “You’re trying to manipulate me.”His smirk widened, and he shook his head slowly. “Oh, Damian,” he said, almost pityingly. “Do you think I’d waste my time on a lie? You can feel it, can’