Chapter 33 Everything Becoming Full Circle
Damian’s POV
The moment we stepped through the front door, I felt it—that subtle shift. From exposure, to control. My house wasn’t just a home. It was secure. Layered. Protected. Exactly what we needed right now.
“Inside,” I said, ushering them in and locking the door behind us without hesitation.
Peter was already on his phone.
“Yeah, Em, I’m serious,” he said, pacing slightly. “No, we’re not at the office anymore… We’re at Damian’s place. Just—yeah, just get here. I’ll explain when you do.”
He hung up and ran a hand through his hair.
“She’s on her way.”
“Good,” I replied.
The more people we trusted in one place, the better. I turned my attention to Courtney. She was holding herself together—but I could see it. The tension. The strain. The way her movements were just a little too careful.
“Sit,” I said, guiding her toward the couch.
“I can sit on my own,” she muttered.
“I know,” I said evenly, ignoring the protest as I helped her down anyway.
She shot me a look. The one that reminded me instantly of high school Courtney. The one who would deck a dude if they pushed her too far.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Not even a little,” I said as a smirk played at the corner of my mouth.
“That’s disappointing,” she sighed as she wiggled herself amongst the throw pillows.
“You’re injured.”
“I’m bruised,” she countered as she attempted to lift her hand and demonstrate her point.
“You were attacked.”
“I handled it.”
“And now you’re sitting.”
She opened her mouth to argue, then winced. Just slightly. But I caught it. My jaw tightened.
“Stay there,” I said.
She huffed. “I wasn’t planning to run a marathon.”
“Good.”
I turned to Elena. She was standing near the doorway, still wrapped in my coat, looking like she didn’t quite know where to put herself.
“Kitchen’s this way,” I said, nodding toward it. “You want something to drink?”
She blinked, clearly a bit surprised by the normalcy of the question. “Uh… water would be great.”
“Come on.”
She followed me quietly. The kitchen lights flicked on as I stepped in, heading straight for the fridge.
“I don't think I thanked you for helping Courtney today,” I said as I grabbed two bottles of water.
She hesitated behind me. “I didn’t really think. I just… reacted.”
“That’s usually when people do their best work.”
She gave a small, nervous smile. “I’m not used to this.”
“No one is,” I replied, handing her the bottle.
She took it gratefully. “Thank you.”
I nodded once, then grabbed a couple more drinks before heading back into the living room. Courtney was exactly where I left her. But her posture had shifted. More rigid. More guarded. And that was enough. I set the drinks down on the table and pulled out my phone. She noticed immediately.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling the doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor.”
“You don't have much of a say right now.”
“Damian—”
I was already dialing. No room for discussion. The line connected quickly.
“Yes,” I said. “I need you at my house. Now.”
A pause.
“Minor injuries. Possibly more. Just get here.”
I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket.
“Doctor’s on his way,” I said simply.
Courtney stared at me. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not.”
“I am.”
“You’re not.”
She opened her mouth again, then closed it. Because she knew. Arguing with me right now? Pointless. Good. I leaned back slightly, crossing my arms. We waited. The tension in the room slowly settled into something quieter. Still heavy. Still present. But no longer chaotic.
About thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang. Peter was up immediately.
“That’s her.”
He didn’t wait for permission before heading to the door. A second later, it opened. And Emily Carter walked in. Her eyes scanned the room quickly. Assessing. Taking everything in.
“Okay,” she said. “Someone wants to explain what the hell is going on?”
Peter gestured toward the living room.
“Sit. It’s a long story.”
She didn’t sit. Not yet. Her gaze landed on Elena. And something shifted. Recognition. Surprise.
“…Ramsey?”
Elena straightened slightly. “Yes?”
Emily’s eyes narrowed just a fraction. Then flicked to Peter. Then back to Elena. And just like that, she connected it.
“Oh.”
Peter groaned immediately.
“No.”
Emily crossed her arms.
“Oh.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it?”
“It really isn’t.”
I leaned back slightly, watching the exchange. Because this, this was new. Elena looked between them, clearly confused.
“What’s happening?”
Emily let out a short breath. “You two were in the news a few years ago.”
Peter groaned louder. “Please don’t.”
“One of the Ramsey-McKay engagements,” Emily continued.
Elena blinked. Then—
“Oh.”
Peter pointed at her. His finger was shaking visibly as his head swiveled back and forth between both women.
“Don’t you start too.”
Emily raised an eyebrow. “So you were engaged.”
“No,” Peter said immediately. “We were not.”
“It was arranged,” Elena added quickly. “For business.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“That’s not new information. We did attend a lot of those stupid fundraisers because dad forced us to.”
Peter shot me a look. “Not helping.”
Elena shook her head. “It wasn’t real,” she clarified. “None of us wanted it.”
Emily’s gaze sharpened slightly. “None?”
Elena hesitated. “Bella… might have.”
That got my attention. “Marcus,” I muttered.
Elena nodded. “She had feelings for him.”
Peter exhaled. “Yeah, that was never going to happen.”
Emily looked between them again. “And you two?”
“Never,” Peter said quickly.
“Not even a little,” Elena added.
Emily studied them for a moment longer. Then—
“Okay.”
Peter blinked. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
He frowned. “That was easier than I expected.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
A small smirk tugged at my lips. Courtney rolled her eyes from the couch. “Can we focus?”
Right. Back to reality. Elena straightened slightly.
“I found documents,” she said. “About my father.”
Emily’s attention snapped back.
“What kind of documents?”
“Financial,” Elena said. “Connections.”
“To who?”
Elena hesitated. “Ardent Global.”
Emily went still. “Say that again.”
“My father was involved with them,” Elena's voice dropped a few octaves as she hung her head slightly.
The room fell silent. Because now, everyone was on the same page. Peter Ramsey was involved with Ardent Global and by extension, Felicia Ardent. And anyone who was linked to Ramsey, meant that things were on a much grander scale.
Emily exhaled slowly. “That explains a lot.”
“Like what?” Peter asked.
“Like why Felicia is moving the way she is,” Emily replied. “If Elena's father was tied to her company—”
“Then she’s covering something up,” I finished.
Emily nodded. “Exactly.”
“And we just walked right into it,” Courtney added.
A knock at the door cut through the tension. Sharp. Precise. I moved immediately.
“That’ll be the doctor.”
I opened the door and let him in quickly, giving him a brief rundown as we walked.
“She took a hit to the arm. Possible strain. I want a full check.”
“Of course.”
I nodded toward the hallway. “This way.” I turned back briefly. “Courtney.”
She sighed dramatically. “Yes, doctor number two?”
“Bedroom.”
She rolled her eyes but pushed herself up anyway. “I’m coming.”
I stayed close as she moved, ready to catch her if she faltered. She didn’t. But that didn’t mean she was fine. The doctor followed us into the room, setting his bag down and beginning his assessment. I lingered by the door for a moment. Watching. Making sure. Always making sure.
Because after today, after everything, there was no room for mistakes. No room for weakness. And no room for letting my guard down. Not with Felicia Ardent circling closer. Not with the truth starting to surface. And definitely not—
When Courtney was right in the middle of it all.