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 POV It had been days since I last saw Damian. The memory of that night, the heated argument, and the raw anger on his face when he hit Connor kept replaying in my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that things had ended wrong between us. It was true he’d done so much for me—more than I ever expected since he first stepped into my life. He’d been a rock, a guiding force, and the thought of him being absent left a void I didn’t expect. Till now, I'm still enjoying the benefits of the bodyguard that he arranged for me. And ever since I had those guards protecting me, I've not noticed any shadowy attempts. A part of me wanted to pick up the phone and call him to say I was sorry. But there was also a stubborn part of me that felt like I deserved an apology too. He had crossed a line that night, and I couldn’t just let that go. Just because he had been very helpful all along, that night, he clearly acted like he owned my life by trying to force me away from Connor. And a
Lila's POV“Lila, it’s me,” I heard Connor's voice say through the door, sounding oddly strained.I paused, confused. Connor? What was he doing here so late? I hesitated for a moment before I unlocked the door and opened it, finding him standing there, a wide smile plastered across his face.“Connor,” I said, trying to mask the surprise in my voice. “What are you doing here? It’s really late.”He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “I missed you,” he said, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over the back of a chair. “I thought I’d surprise you.”I raised an eyebrow, closing the door behind him. “A surprise? At this hour?”He grinned, moving closer and wrapping his arms around my waist. “Why not?” he said softly, brushing his lips against my forehead. “I wanted to see you.”I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort at his sudden appearance. I know he shows up unannounced at my office during the day sometimes but It wasn’t like
Lila's POVMy breaths came in ragged gasps even as I burst out into the open night air. My heart was hammering so loudly in my chest I could barely hear my own thoughts. Panic and fury swirled together inside me as I ran, refusing to look back. I had to get away from him—away from the betrayal and from the rage I saw in his eyes. The compound’s security lights illuminated my path, and I nearly tripped in my haste to get to the guard post. I could see the two of my guards standing there, their faces relaxed and indifferent, having no idea what had just happened.For a moment I thought, “what if connor had succeeded or far more worse, what if he had killed me? I shook the thought away as I ran towards the guards.As I reached them, both guards stiffened, seeing my tear-streaked face and dishevelled appearance. My robe flapped around my legs, and I felt raw, exposed, and humiliated. “Miss Lila!” one of them, John, said, stepping forward with a concerned frown. “What happened? Are you
Lila's POV John stayed beside me, watching me closely, his expression torn between concern and frustration. “Are you alright, Miss Lila?” he asked softly. “Do you want us to call someone? The police, perhaps, or—”“No,” I said quickly, cutting him off. “Not yet. I need... I need a moment.” My voice was steadier now, the initial shock beginning to fade, replaced by a cold, simmering anger that settled deep in my chest. I wiped my eyes and forced myself to look at John with as much resolve as I could muster.“Find him,” I repeated, my voice harder now. “But don’t call the police yet. I want to handle this myself.”John hesitated, clearly unsure if that was the right decision, but he nodded slowly, rising to his feet. “Alright. We’ll keep looking. If he’s anywhere near, we’ll find him.”I felt the floor sway beneath me as I bit back a scream of frustration, swallowing the burning disappointment and fear that bubbled up inside. I had been so close to exposing him, to getting justice. Bu
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’