Damian's POVFor moments, Lila clung to me like I was her last anchor, and it sent a chill straight down to my bones. Her sobs grew heavier, and the way her body trembled in my arms made it feel like she'd been torn apart from the inside out. I kept repeating her name, my voice low and soft, trying to get her to look at me, to tell me what had happened. But every time I said her name, her cries only grew louder. It did something to me, seeing her like this—completely unravelled. “Lila, please,” I whispered again, running my hand through her tangled hair, my fingers gently soothing the knots. “Just tell me what happened.” But she didn’t answer. She only held me tighter, burying her face in my chest, her tears soaking through my shirt. For a moment, I felt utterly helpless. Whatever had driven her here in the middle of the night was tearing her apart, and I had no idea how to make it better.Then, between ragged breaths, she finally spoke. “Damian, I’m sorry,” she choked out. I pul
Lila's POVMy eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I registered was warmth. Damian’s arms were still wrapped around me, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath my head. My breath hitched for a moment as memories from the night before came flooding back. For a split second, panic coursed through me. Did something happen between us? Did I cross a line I wasn’t ready for?Then, the clarity that had eluded me returned, and I let out a slow, quiet breath of relief. No, nothing had happened beyond the unexpected comfort we found in each other’s embrace. My cheeks warmed slightly at the realization, but it was accompanied by a strange sense of ease. Damian had held me through the night, offering solace without pushing for anything more. That was all.The events of last night felt like a hazy blur now. After Victor’s call, Damian had told me that Victor wanted to meet with both of us this morning. He hadn’t shared much, only that it was important and needed to be discreet. I rem
Damain's POVThe gunshot echoed through the abandoned warehouse, freezing me in place. My instincts kicked in immediately—survival, protection. Victor’s body had just crumpled to the floor, lifeless and bleeding out before my very eyes. There was no time to process what had just happened. The weight of what he'd confessed, the betrayal, the anger... all of it would have to wait. Right now, the priority was clear: get Lila out of here, and fast.As I ran out with Lila, she slowed down a bit, looking back at Victor's lifeless body on the ground.“Run!” I hissed at her, grabbing her arm and practically dragging her toward the rusted exit. Lila stumbled but kept up, her eyes wide with shock and terror. I knew she was in no state to think clearly, and if she stayed, things would only get worse for her. If I stayed, things would only get worse for both of us. We had to split up.The sudden, blaring wail of sirens pierced the air, and my heart sank. The cops were close—too close. Whoever
Lila's POV The car ride home felt endless. It felt as though time itself had slowed down. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling, my heart still pounding with the shock of what had just happened. Victor’s face—the terror and guilt, the way his life had slipped away right in front of me—it was all I could see. I had never expected things to end this way. Yes, he had done unspeakable things, but the moment he confessed, I saw something raw in his eyes. He had wanted to make things right, and that made all the difference.I knew I would have forgiven him, would have given him a second chance if he’d lived. My chest tightened painfully at the thought of what could have been—of redemption cut short by a single bullet. It wasn’t just the grief of seeing him die; it was the chilling realization that someone was still out there, pulling the strings. The fact that Victor hadn’t been able to tell us who was behind all of it left a cold knot of fear twisting in my stomach. I wasn’t safe. None of
Damian's POVPacing around in the office, I couldn't help but wonder if things were going fine with Lila and her mum. Since I left the police station, I headed back to Lila's company to oversee things while she's away. I had dialed Lila's number several times, yet, not once was my call answered or even returned. I contemplated whether I should go to her, but I know the stakes of allowing anyone but Lila to oversee the affairs of the company.Just then, my phone buzzed on the table beside me. The screen lit up with Lila's name. Finally! Relief washed over me as I quickly picked it up, my earlier worry melting away."Lila," I said, trying to mask my concern.Her voice burst through the line like a ray of sunshine. "Damian! The surgery was successful!" she practically shouted, her tone brimming with uncontainable joy.I instinctively pulled the phone slightly away from my ear at her volume but couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. "That’s amazing news," I said, pressing th
Damian's POVI called on two of my employees who were nearby, and together with the help of my driver, Valerie was helped into my car.Then, I settled in the back seat with the unconscious Valerie as my driver drove the two of us to the hospital. I wondered what was going on with her as I held her hand. Thankfully, she was still breathing. That's a whole lot of relief on its own.Even Victor's death was still fresh on my mind. A lot of things have been going on with me or people around me lately, and I won't know what to think or how to feel should anything happen to Valerie too. As I looked at her still breathing softly with her eyes shut, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as a thought crossed my mind. Had the workload on her been too much? Given her level of dexterity from my experience of her working with me, I’d never seen her crack even under duress. But she’s human after all—a woman at that. I believe everyone has a threshold so I reckon she had been doing too much i
Lila's POVThe morning light streamed through the windows as I sat at the kitchen table, sipping a warm cup of tea. It was a rare moment of peace. My heart still swelled with gratitude every time I looked at Mum. She was resting comfortably on the couch, her smile radiant as she exchanged jokes with Henry. Elena busied herself in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared lunch.“I still can’t believe how lucky we are,” I said, placing my cup down and looking at Mum. “You’ll be walking again soon, Mum. We’ll take it one step at a time.”Her eyes glistened with emotion as she nodded. “It’s all thanks to you, Lila. I don’t know how I got so blessed to have a daughter like you.”I smiled and reached for her hand. “We’re in this together. Always.”The day felt warm and full of promise, a much-needed contrast to the recent chaos. Henry’s laughter echoed in the background as he practiced some jokes for his new friends at boarding school. I’d made sure to increase Elena’s salary, and she
Damian's POVAs I sat at my desk, immersed in the mountain of paperwork demanding my attention, my phone vibrated. Glancing at the screen, I saw Valerie’s name. For a moment, I hesitated, recalling everything that had transpired recently. Taking a deep breath, I answered.“Hello, Valerie,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.Her voice was calm but carried a faint undercurrent of weariness. “Damian, I just wanted to let you know... it’s done. I went through with the abortion earlier today.”A wave of relief washed over me. “That’s good news. I’m glad you’re okay,” I replied sincerely. “Take your time to recover. You don’t need to rush back to work.”“Thank you,” she said softly. “I appreciate it.”“I’ll try to stop by and check on you soon,” I added.“That’s thoughtful, but I’ll manage,” she replied before the call ended.As I placed my phone back on the desk, a notification lit up the screen—a message from Lila.“Just got to the office. I’ll be staying the night in my apartment nearby.
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’