Chapter 15
Damien POV
I splashed water on my face, and as I looked at myself in the restroom mirror, my shirt was damp from the tea Julie had spilled. But I wasn’t upset, if anything. I was amused.
As I dabbed at the stain with a paper towel, I thought of another line to tease her with. Julie did not seem like the type to fall for charm, but I enjoyed the challenge. After all, what harm was there in trying!
“Do you have a license? Because you’re driving me crazy.” Not bad. I chuckled, already imagining the look Julie was going to throw at me. I straightened my shirt, satisfied, and headed back out.
As I stepped out of the restroom, I didn’t see her at the table. Instead. I spotted her standing outside the cafe entrance, her facial expression changed. She was crying, her gaze fixed on someone.
I followed her gaze and saw her–Bella.
She was seated with Alex and couldn’t stop laughing. It seemed as if she was having the best time of her life. When she saw me, she waved and called me over, but I ignored her completely as I headed outside to meet Julie.
Julie,” I called out as I reached her, but she didn’t turn around.
I grabbed her hand gently and pulled her to face me. As I looked at her, I saw the tears she was desperately trying to hold back
“Follow me,” I said.
“I brought my car,” she said quickly, her voice trembling.
“You can pick it up later, I said, dragging her toward my car
“Damien, 1-
“Just get in,” I interrupted, opening the passenger door for her. She hesitated for a moment before sliding in.
As I drove, she stared out of the window, her arms crossed. I knew that anything I said wouldn’t make sense to her. She was barely holding herself together as she nervously played with the hem of her gown
“What?” she asked, startled.
“Do you want to race!” I repeated. Without waiting for her answer, I pressed down on the accelerator.
“Damien!” she shouted as the car sped up.
“What the hell are you doing?”
*You will thank me later,” said with a mischievous smile as I drove even faster.
“Damien!” she screamed. “I have a daughter to take care of, and I’m definitely not ready to die right now,” she said.
“And I don’t want to die either, so we are on the same page, I replied.
“You are insane, she muttered.
“Faster your seatbelt, because we’re going even faster,” I said. As I drove faster, she screamed from the top of her lungs, caught between tears and laughter.
After a few minutes, I stopped the car.
You are crazy,” She said.
“Maybe,” I admited, turning to face her. “But you enjoyed it. Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy the race.”
She couldn’t hide her smile.
“Fine, I did. Thanks!” she said.
1/3
Chapter Li
“Julie,” I said, looking at her. “Don’t let him get to you,” I added, pausing.
She looked at me, then turned toward the window
“I don’t know the details, I continued, “but I sure do know how it feels, I am a divorcee, remember? I have been there before. I know how it hurts when you give someone your heart, your trust, your everything–and they shatter it into pieces like it was nothing. Then you have to watch them live this perfect life while you’re left being miserable.”
She let the tears fall.
“I know how it feels to question yourself each day, wondering if you weren’t good enough, what the other person they left you for had. or how you blame yourself, thinking maybe it was your fault,” I said through tears. It was damn hard to control them.
“I gave him everything she muttered, her voice trembling.
“And I was ready to give him more,” she said.
“How foolish of me,” she added. “You know, I thought I had gotten over him, but seeing him today with her made me doubt that”
“You are not alone. When I saw Cassandra after all those years, it took a lot not to break down or retreat into my shell,” I said. “And I don’t want that for you. Don’t let him get to you.
“And maybe, just praybe, screaming it out might help. Let it all out, Julie.”
She gave me the “are you serious?” look.
“Scream!”
“Yes,” I said, smiling. “Like this,” I rolled down the window, leaned my head out, and yelled, “Damn you, Cassandra, and the 35 carats of gold I bought for you!”
Julie stared at me before bursting out into laughter.
“You are ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head.
“Your turn,” I said.
“Do it again,” she said.
“I hate you, Cassandra, and the one–legged man you left me for!” I screamed.
She laughed again, then hesitated.
“Come on, Julie. Just scream. Let it all out.”
She looked at me, and then, to my surprise, she leaned out of the window and shouted, “Screw you, Alex! Screw you and your lies!”
Her voice was not loud at first, but it grew louder with each word. She screamed again and again.
When she finally stopped, she slumped back into her seat, breathing heavily. I did not say anything, giving her a moment to collect henelf.
“That felt good, she admitted after a while, her voice quiet
I smiled. “Told you
As I looked at her, I couldn’t help but admire her lips and the thought of kissing them. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text from my father.
Any news yet?
I looked at Julie, who was wiping her face, then stared at the text.
The one woman I’ve tried to love after Cassandra was her. Life, indeed, is cruel
I slipped my phone back into my pocket without replying.
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.