Lila's POVDespite the fact that I had additional company in the back seat of my car, the silence we maintained was strange, yet I revelled in it, hoping the soothing silence helps me clear my head.The two guards who would stay at home permanently were in the car with me, together with my two personal guards. The driver and I made it six of us in the new SUV car that drove us home, yet it was as silent as a graveyard. Well, nobody would say a word unless necessary, or unless I engage them to. And I'm not really in such a mood.The soft hum of the car intertwined with my thoughts as my driver drove us home. I've not just had a long day, I've stumbled on something that has stirred up some unrest within me.Finally, the car pulled up in front of the house, and as I tried to alight, I suddenly paused when I heard the voice that came from one of my guards at the back seat. “I'll get that ma'am,” he said. I was lost. I didn't understand what he meant until he quickly alighted from the
Lila's POV When Damian walked into the office this morning, I felt a strange mixture of relief and unease. I hadn’t been able to sleep much the previous night; the discovery in my mum's old journal was haunting me.I needed to tell him about it, to share the weight of this terrible secret with someone who might have answers—or at least know what to do next. All the times that Damian and I had spent together, I've seen how he handles situations. I could tell that he is a better problem solver than I am. Maybe he could help me figure this out. He looked calm and composed as usual, flashing me his reassuring smile as he approached me. "Good morning, Lila," he greeted me warmly, but I could tell he sensed something was off. My face must have betrayed my restless night."Damian, we need to talk," I said, my voice a little shaky as I stood up and gestured towards the corner office. I couldn’t have this conversation out in the open. His brows furrowed slightly, and he nodded, following m
Lila's POVThe last thing I needed was to be stuck in my own head, tangled in the web of confusion and anxiety that had been tightening around me since I discovered the truth about my parents. Damain had left early today to fully attend to some functions in his own conglomerate. So, using his company for my distraction wasn't an option. As I kept pondering on what else I could do, that’s when the idea struck me—shoppingShopping felt like the perfect escape from the overwhelming stress I’d been under. It was my first evening free in a while, and I needed a distraction—something to take my mind off the haunting discoveries about my parents and the lingering anxiety over my mum’s upcoming surgery. With everything happening, I’d been avoiding the company's apartment, going straight from work to home every day. But today, I was determined to break that routine.After work, I decided on a spur-of-the-moment shopping trip. I wanted to pick up a few things for the house, for Mum, and for
Lila's POVI was deep into reviewing some documents when my phone buzzed, interrupting my concentration. Glancing down, I saw his name flash across the screen again—Connor.I huffed. This guy won't just quit. Since last night, he had been so intent on blowing up my phone. I got a call last night from a strange number that popped up on my screen. I wondered who could be calling me quite late at night, only for me to answer the call and find out that it's Connor.As soon as I heard that it's Connor, I hung up on him immediately, even though I didn't like how something in me disapproved of what I did. First, I wondered how he got my contact information but I didn't ponder it too far before I reckoned that since I'm now the CEO of a big company, he must have searched me up on the internet and got my contact information there. I tried to stay as low-key as possible in the shopping mall yesterday by moving only with Elena, but he must have seen the guards and the luxurious car that wai
Damian's POVYesterday was a whirlwind. The demands at my company had me tied up all day, so much so that I didn’t even make it to Monroe Corporation. Valerie had been doing well at keeping things in order while I was away. But there was still a lot to do, so I assisted her myself with some of the tasks. My deed caught her by surprise. She knew I would not reduce her salary because of the help I rendered to her, so she voiced her gratitude to me a couple times with a smile on her face each time. Actually, Valerie is beautiful, but I do not see her in any other light apart from being my PA. Aside from being perfectly qualified for her job, she doesn't spark up anything in me. Nothing at all. I've figured out that she likes me, but she knows the stakes. She dare not make me sense that she's making any advance towards me. She should keep it all to herself. It wasn’t until I finally settled down at home, my mind free of distractions, that I realised something surprising—I actually mi
Damian's POVAs soon as the driver pulled the car back around, we were right where we’d seen them before. I stared at Lila, trying to keep my expression unreadable, but inside, my emotions were spiralling out of control. I reminded myself—again—that Lila wasn’t mine. We weren’t together, and I had no right to feel possessive. And yet, there I was, watching her, unable to tear my eyes away.She seemed comfortable, too comfortable, with that guy. They were laughing, chatting easily. I could tell from his body language that he was flirting, leaning forward, his gaze locked on hers like she was the only person in the room. My jaw tightened as I watched him reach across the table and take her hand. As if everything unfolding before my eyes wasn't enough to spite me, this flirt just took her hand and planted a kiss on it, his gesture slow and deliberate.Damn!My fingers knew what to do. They didn't take permission from me before curling into a fist beside me as if warming up for an impen
Damian's POVThe bar felt suffocating now, with its dim lights and clinking glasses as I hurried back inside to retrieve my phone.Spotting the phone right on the table where I’d left it, I grabbed it, and turned back toward the exit, my thoughts racing instead of my heart. What was Valerie doing here, in such a state? Why did it unsettle me so much to see her like that?Valerie’s eyes, usually so composed and collected behind her glasses, were glassy and hollow. The way she had looked at me, wide-eyed and fragile, was a side of her I’d never imagined existed. I've always been indifferent towards whatever goes on in her life, but now, It felt wrong to see her that way—exposed and bare. When I returned to the threshold of the bar, Valerie was still there, leaning heavily against the doorframe. I noticed her eyes were rimmed with red, as if she had been crying before I collided with her. Yet, there was a faint glimmer of relief in her gaze, as if my presence had pulled her out of a da
Damian's POV It was nearly midnight when I pulled up to my house, the driveway dimly lit by the overhead lights lining the walkway.The entire place was silent, cloaked in the deep shadows of the night. As I shut off the engine and turned to look at Valerie, still asleep in the backseat, I realised I had no choice—I couldn’t very well wake up the household staff and ask them to prepare a room at this hour. She was in no state to be moved again, and I was too exhausted to bother with formalities.I opened the car door and stepped out, moving around to Valerie’s side. Carefully, I scooped her up into my arms, her body warm and limp against mine. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her head resting on my shoulder. I carried her up the stairs, feeling the weight of her both physically and emotionally pressing down on me.As I navigated the stairs that snaked to my bedroom which was on the second floor, my thoughts drifted—unwillingly—back to Lila. The first time she stayed over at my
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’