Penelope leaves the office. She didn't glance at me once.Damien poured himself a whiskey and now he's holding the glass filled with whiskey to his temple. I'm giving him some space before bombarding him with questions. I heard almost everything they said but there's a lot I couldn't grasp. I want to know everything that's going on. No more secrets between us starting now.He looks over at me and sits back in his chair. I both hate and love it when his azure eyes are focused on me. I love it because I get butterflies, but I hate it because I can't tell what he's thinking about. He'll always be a puzzle I can't solve. "What is it? What's going on?""There's a spy in our home," he says. My heart skips a beat. I knew it had something to do with agents, but I didn't think it'd be related to his home. Is this Devon's doing? Did he really get someone in his house?"Are you sure?" I ask."Come here," he says instead. "I want to show you something."I make my way towards his desk and he holds
The trip isn't as long as it should be.Maybe that's only because I'm dreading what's to come. The closer we get to the mansion, the faster my heart beats. Is it terrible that I feel bad for the maid? Will he spare her life as he spared mine?That's unlikely. Damien Keller is not a forgiving man. I was the exception and he left that clear. I will never stop feeling ashamed because of this. It doesn't matter that I genuinely fell in love with him, I could've easily been this woman, who's completely unaware of what's coming. What if she's doing this to save her family, too?There's nothing I can do to save her. Nothing I can do to help.The bad feeling hasn't left me. Maybe it just has to do with this woman's death. Oh, and this pregnancy we haven't discussed. Sometimes I forget that I'm carrying his child. Now that my mother is safe, I can start thinking about this with a clear head. Yet there's something else impeding and I don't know what it is.His driver parks the car in front of t
Kathy's standing at the top of the stairs. She has a wine glass nestled in her left hand and I notice that she's barefoot. She's wearing a long red silk robe and her hair is down. Red tints her lips and cheeks.Her eyes are wild and seriously, she looks drunk. She's eyeing us with disgust. She's looking at the dead woman's body. She shakes her head as she says, "This is hell. I'm in hell! Don't you ever shut up?" She pauses then takes a step back. "Is that a dead person? Is she dead?"Yeah, she's definitely drunk.Damien ignores her. He's giving his men orders to get rid of her body. Meanwhile, Theo's still sobbing uncontrollably and drowning all other noises. "You're a monster! You're a killer! You didn't have to do this! She wasn't a bad person!""Theo, that's enough. You're out of control." He glances at the watch on his wrist. "Did you take your medicine?""Fuck you!" she hisses. "You remember that I take medicine? That's because of you! Because ever since dad died, you've changed
Ethan puts the phone down.He feels cold, really fucking cold. Like there's ice in his veins. Incredible how he leaves for five fucking seconds and everything goes to shit. Half the house is destroyed, Damien's hiding out somewhere licking his wounds. Amelia and his kid have disappeared and no one knows where they are. Or if they're even alive. Kathy's dead. The staff members are all dead. Theo has lost her fucking mind. She's been hospitalized, and they think maybe she'll have to be institutionalized. She won't stop muttering to herself. She broke her leg again.What the hell is going on in that city?When he got his shit and left, it was simply to avoid drama. Plus, if he didn't, he'd kill Damien. They just weren't seeing eye to eye. Damien would never accept that he's a cold-hearted and selfish bastard, so Ethan decided to leave. He wanted no part in what was to come.He's only relieved that he isn't dead. How close was that? They tore all their barriers down and got to the place t
I don't want to be here.I'm pacing around Devon's living room and I know it's irritating him but I can't bring myself to stop. I'm worried about Damien. I don't know what I'll do with myself if I find out he's dead. Whoever the bosses are aren't going to let him live for too long. There's no news, and I have no way of knowing whether he got away or not.Devon won't tell me and I won't ask.It's been eighteen hours since we left the mansion and Devon and I haven't exchanged a single word. He got us food that neither of us could eat. I have no appetite at the moment and I couldn't make Brad eat. I took him to the bedroom because I couldn't stand the way Devon was looking at him. It's like he didn't what him to be there, like his presence was bothering him. I told him to wait there and when I checked on him again, he was asleep.I feel so sorry for him that I could cry whenever I look at him. I can't begin to imagine how all of this might feel for him. It's not fair to him. He's so youn
Devon's gone.He's been gone for about two hours. The only problem is that he locked me in, so there's no way I can get out of here.I don't know what his plans are. Is he keeping me here solely because he intends to keep my from harm's way or is there something else? I can't trust him completely. Devon's a selfish bastard who's capable of anything.I'm mostly worried about Brad's safety.Devon's left it perfectly clear that he doesn't want him here. He's bothered by his presence, which is upsetting because Brad's just a child and he's been through so much. He's still asleep and I hope he sleeps for the rest of the day, because I don't know what I'll do if he wakes up and starts demanding answers. It's only natural that he'll want to know where his mother is.I can't be the one to answer those questions.I don't have any experience with children. I know the basics, but that's about it. If he throws a tantrum, I'll probably cry along with him.It's getting dark and I'm getting anxious.
Devon watches her from his bedroom window. He's furious at her for being such a fucking ungrateful brat, but he's also worried about her. He kicked her out because he couldn't stand the way she was looking at him, like she was afraid he'd pounce at her or something. Also, she wouldn't shut the fuck up about Keller. He can't stand it when she talks about him. She has a lot of audacity, she really does. The fact that she treated him like some kind of villain is mind-blowing.Couldn't she see that he was just trying to keep her safe?She rounds a corner and disappears with the kid. He suppresses the urge to go after her. She made her decision and he can't do anything about it. He's not the kind of man to run after anyone. He kicked her out and he's not turning back, but a small part of him wants him, too. It's not enough, though, so she's in her fucking own from now on.He tries not to think of their conversation, but it's really fucking hard. He decided he wouldn't tolerate her shit the
The car stops.We haven't been in here for long, approximately thirty minutes, I don't know. The trunk pops open and the two men who shoved me in here drag me out. A third one's getting Brad out, who's still kicking and screaming. I've never felt this powerless. They could kill him in front of me and I wouldn't be able to do a thing."Where are you taking us?" I demand.None of them answer me. I'm taken up a flight of stairs, so my guess is they're taking us to some kind of apartment. That means there are other people around, neighbors. This calms me, but my fear worsens when I realize that I have no idea of what they plan on doing to us.A door creaks as it opens and they release me. I try to stand upright, but my knees give out and I sink to my knees. Behind me, I hear Brad whimpering, and I'm shaking so badly that I can't focus. They remove the hood. The light's glare stings my eyes, so I blink repeatedly until my vision adjusts. As my vision clears, I'm shocked and appalled at the
Six months have passed.They've been peaceful and for the most part, quiet. Tremendously busy, but I'm used to that part now. Working alongside Damien is the best part about it. I get to be with him all day and make sure that he isn't exerting himself. He has a lot more work now; he had to take over Ethan's duties. Theo helps, but there are certain things only Damien can handle. When Ethan was here, he took care of it, but he's been gone for half a year and there's no one capable enough to replace him. I think that deep down, Damien doesn't want anyone to take over Ethan's job, but he'll never admit it out loud. I help him whenever I can. There's a lot I still don't understand, but I'll get there.It's only a matter of time.He doesn't ever ask me to go home when there are people coming over to meet with him. We never talked about what happened with Ash, but it changed a lot of things. I gained some respect after I killed him. I see it in the way people look at me whenever we're at so
I help him peel his blazer off.This day has been mentally exhausting for him. He rarely leaves the office early, but I'm glad he did today. I'm glad, because at least we have the whole day ahead of us. It's going to be just the two of us. Theo rarely comes here, she prefers to stay in the city. It's closer to everything else. I love it here, because it feels like we're all alone in the world. I stare out the window and all I see is the vast sky, green hills, nature. I don't even see the guards surrounding the house. They're invisible to me.It's peaceful here, and breathtakingly beautiful. It's home. I understand why Damien is so attached to this place. It's not simply because he grew up here. I feel safe, here, untouchable. The first time I was here, I felt like an intruder. Our relationship was so different back then, I can't help but marvel at how everything is so different now. I never would have guessed that we'd end up here, closer than ever, madly in love. We've come a long wa
Today's an important day.I've been on edge all morning. Damien has called for a Keller family meeting. We're all going to be there, including Ethan and Penelope.He announced that there'd be a meeting only last night during dinner, and he asked Theo to give Ethan a call. I was startled by the news and so was she. He didn't tell me what he'll say to Ethan, but we can guess what it is. He wants closure. Ethan owns a third of everything, and that matter needs to be resolved. I doubt that Damien will allow him to return to the company. I just don't see it happening. Ethan himself never mentioned it to Theo, not that he'd dare to.Theo told me that he's out of the hospital. She said he hasn't left the country yet because he wants to see Damien first. Damien, however, wanted nothing to do with him until yesterday. He's asked after him, but he didn't want to see him. He's still hurt by what Ethan did to us, his betrayal is a wound that will never quite heal for him. And if it ever does, it'
I'm afraid of opening the door.I've been standing here for a full minute with my heart in my throat. My hand is on the knob, ready. I can't bring myself to turn it, though, simply because I know that Damien's on the other side. There's a lot we need to talk about, so much in fact that I wouldn't know where to start.I hold my breath and close my eyes. I've been standing out here for too long. I remind myself that he's my husband, he's the man I love, and we'll get through this. We'd get through anything together. I've been in a far worse position before. This time, I was actually focusing on the well-being of our family.I open the door slowly.Only the bedside lamp is on. I see him right away; he's seated on the couch across his bed. He's staring out the window with a distant look in his eyes. I take a few steps towards him, my eyes on his handsome face. My heart's thumping against my chest. I'm overcome with emotion, but I put a hamper on them for now. He's a little pale, I notice
Amelia's going to hate him for this, but that's okay, because he doesn't plan on ever seeing her again.He means it this time. He's done with this shit. He had his chance, he fucked it up a hundred years ago. It's time to get over it. If there was ever a part of him that thought he'd get a chance with her, that part of him died a while back. She loves Damien Keller. He lost her a long time ago. That doesn't necessarily mean that he's content with the outcome, but he'll admit defeat. Staying here is slowly killing him.She's going to be alright. Leaving her back there was a dick move, sure, but he stands by what he said to her; when everyone finds out that she did it, there will be no revenge. He helped her along the way, but no one needs to know that. The Huntingtons won't dream of touching her, especially when the truth about Damien comes out. It would be an entirely different story with him.He glances at his watch. Five more minutes in there and he'd miss his flight. He can't miss
I've never been so glad to see him in all my life."Devon," I say, the word a gasp. "How did you—"He doesn't let me finish. "Did he hurt you? Are you hurt?"I shake my head. "No, but how did you—""I'll explain later," he assures me. "Right now, we've got to get this asshole tied to that chair. Quickly, before he wakes up. Bring that chair over there. I have rope under the bed."I grab it and Devon grabs a duffel bag from under the bed. He opens it and fishes out rope and a couple of knives. He's been lying under the bed the entire time. It's clear that he planned this thoroughly.He didn't abandon me. He said he'd help me kill Ash and here he is. I tell him, "I thought you weren't going to show up. I thought you tricked me.""I don't blame you for assuming the worst," he says, looking up at me. His eyes are glinting with mischief and something else, something I won't dare name. He points at my gun. "You know how to use that thing?"I stare at it. "Yes."He's watching me intently. "A
It's quarter to midnight.The clock is ticking and my heart is racing. I'm ready, my small gun is hidden in my underwear. I've made sure to wear an extra tight pair just for the occasion. The dress is scarlet and flowy, perfect for tonight.I'm waiting for him in the lobby. This time, I'm early. It makes me feel more in control of the situation even though that's far from the truth. I take a small sip of champagne and look back at the entrance. My heart's in my throat, making it hard for me to breathe. I have to remain cool, though. There's a lot at stake.Everything depends on this."Anything else?" the bartender asks me while pouring someone else a drink. I shake my head, I can't even speak at a time like this.I'm taking another sip of champagne when I finally spot him. There are two men walking behind him. He's saying something to them as he looks around. For me, no doubt. I fix my gaze on him and hold my breath as I wait for him to see me. He doesn't, which is fairly disappointin
"Leave," Damien says to the nurse. She scurries out of the room as soon as he mutters the word.He's in a terrible mood and he doesn't want anyone around him. He has finally moved from that awful, desolate place and he's home. He made sure that they didn't change any decorations. They lost a lot of antiques and furniture that was in their family for decades, but he's made sure that everything else remained the same. He's sure that he'll recover in no time here, he already feels better. He's not in bed, he's sitting on the sofa beside his bed. He's supposed to be resting, but he's done enough of that.He can't sleep when he's worried sick about Amelia.The fact that no one gives him any news is a bad sign as it is. They're hiding something from him, he can feel it. The last time he spoke to her, she told him that she wasn't going to turn back, that she'd go ahead with the plan. He has no idea of what her plan might be, but he knows it won't be anything he'll agree with. He wonders if p
I can't stop chewing my thumbnail.I force myself to put my hand down. I'm in agony; I don't know what to do and I'm running out of time. I'm supposed to be meeting Ash tonight. This was supposed to end it all, according to Devon, but he let Ethan go so what happens now? The only reason why I'm agreeing to everything is because of him. It isn't, but that's what Ash thinks. Am I still expected to show up? Why would he do this?I can't figure it out.I wish I had a way of contacting Devon to let him know that everything went to shit, but I don't have his number. I don't know where he's currently residing. I don't think I'll be seeing him anytime soon; tonight, maybe but not earlier. In the meantime, what do I do? I can't ask anyone's advice. My family is against me entirely. Theo probably thinks that our negotiations with Ash have come to an abrupt end, but she doesn't know half of it. I'm planning on killing him once and for all, I made a promise to myself that I would.For Damien.I h