All Chapters of He Hurt Me, Now He Wants Me Back: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Damien Shaw She recoils at my words, hurt flashing in her eyes. But I can’t stop. Every unresolved emotion I’ve been bottling up, about my father, about Imogene’s secrecy, about Keith about every single thing comes crashing down like a tidal wave.“You don’t get to decide this for me,” I continue. “This is my life, my father. You don’t get to make decisions about something that hurt me for years without telling me.”“I wasn’t trying to make decisions for you,” she says, her voice shaky. “I just wanted to help. I thought maybe if you two could talk…”“I don’t want to talk to him!” I yell, cutting her off. “I don’t want anything to do with him! You know that. You’ve always known that. But you went behind my back anyways. How could you do that?”“Because I care about you, Damien! I thought maybe if you could get some closure, it would help you heal.”“I didn’t ask for your help! I didn’t ask for any of this! You’ve been keeping secrets from me, meeting my father behind my back. What e

Damien Shaw I lie on the stiff hotel bed, staring at the ceiling. The room feels cold and quiet, and no matter how many times I toss and turn, sleep won’t come. I glance at the clock on the nightstand. 12:00 AM. The bright red numbers mock me. I’ve been here for hours, and my mind still won’t shut off.It’s like everything is crashing down on me at once. My father. Imogene. The lies. The secrets.I turn over, clenching the pillow under my head, but it’s useless. I can’t stop thinking about that damn text. Seeing his name, Luke Shaw, was like being by a bullet. My father, the man who wrecked everything for my family, the man I swore I’d never speak to again. And Imogene… she’s been meeting with him behind my back.I feel a surge of anger rise in my chest. How could she do that? After everything I told her, after knowing how much pain he caused me, how much I’ve been trying to move on from the hell he put me through. And she still thought it was a good idea to go behind my bac

Imogene ScottThe following day, I prepare to take Lily to the hospital for her usual checkup. I have no appetite, but force myself to nibble on half a bagel. Damien still hasn’t called or texted. Lily and I walk out to the driveway to my car. It looks forlorn sitting there without Damien’s car next to it. I place Lily in the backseat and slid into the front seat. As I start the engine, the stereo blasts “Can’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Even this extra-upbeat tune fails to lift my mood. I always assumed people who were blue felt that way because they had a lot of negative thoughts they couldn’t block. But I realize you don’t need negative thoughts— negative circumstances can be enough to shove you deep into despair. Like finding yourself alone after having known the heaven of being with someone you thought understood and loved you.After a few deep breaths to re-center myself, I drive to the hospital. Even if my life is falling apart, I still to do everything in my power to take c

Damien Shaw I stand in front of the mirror, straightening my tie for what feels like the hundredth time. The hotel room is quiet and my reflection stares back at me. I tug at my collar, it feels like it's strangling me. I don't want to go to this charity auction, but I have no choice. There’s no avoiding it tonight.I haven’t been to the office in days. I’ve kept everyone at a distance, even Breonna. She’s been checking on me through my assistant, but I can’t face her. My head is still a mess. The thought of seeing her disapproving look or hearing her well-meaning advice. I miss Imogene. I miss Lily. But I can’t go back home yet. Not until I sort through the mess in my head, until I can understand why I feel so damn angry all the time. It’s safer to stay away for now. For them, and for me.I take one last look in the mirror. Black tuxedo, perfectly pressed. I look the part of a man in control, but it’s all a lie. I feel anything but in control.The cool night air hits my

Damien Shaw I lie in bed for the second straight day, staring at the ceiling of this hotel room. I haven’t shaved. I haven’t eaten properly. I’m a coward, no doubt about it. But it’s not just cowardice. I’m hurt. Angry. My ego is bruised. And yet, that nagging voice in my head keeps whispering, What did you expect, Damien?I don’t know how to move forward. I’ve distanced myself from everything, from everyone. Imogene’s words replay in my mind like a broken record. I was so focused on what she did wrong that I couldn’t see the bigger picture, how I’m the one who’s been running from everything. Running from her. From us. From myself.My phone buzzes, cutting through the silence. I glance at it. It’s a text from Howard. [I’m at our favorite bar. Can we get a drink?]Howard… it’s been a while since we caught up. We’ve known each other since forever, way back when we were just two kids in a neighborhood full of empty promises. Now he’s a CEO of a major conglomerate, and I’m hi