Chapter 19
Damien POV
“Take me to SkyView,” I said to the driver as I stared out the car window.
The driver paused, glancing at me briefly in the rearview mirror, as if unsure of what I had said. Then he started the car. As the engine roared to life, I saw her heading out of the hospital.
“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists. I hated this feeling–vulnerability, weakness. Since Cassandra lefi, I had sworn never to let anyone in again, never to let anyone have that kind of power over me
Then Julie walked into my life and shattered it all. She was the reason I fell ill, thinking about her every day while ignoring my health,
She broke through the walls I had built, and now, because of this godforsaken family, I had to let her go. And I doubted if she was ever truly willing to give me a chance.
As the car pulled to a stop outside SkyView, I headed inside the house and saw my mother.
I turned my head away, ignoring her. It was not difficult, I had practically ignored her all my life. We hadn’t spoken a word to each other In over a decade, and I doubted she cared. She never did.
Without knocking, I pushed open my father’s study door and barged in. He was sitting behind his desk, probably signing some documents. He didn’t look up immediately, but when he did, I could tell he was annoyed.
“Damien,” he said, leaning back in his chair, “you finally grace us with your presence after practically ignoring my texts and calls,” he said. sarcastically.
I ignored his jab as I placed the document on his desk
“This contains all the information I have gathered so far,” I said. “Everything you need is in there
He opened the file and carefully went through it. “This is impressive,” he said, nodding approvingly. “You know what they say–keep your enemies closer–and that’s exactly what you’ve done, Damien. You’ve really outdone yourself,” he said with a smile.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but this is the last time,” I said, cutting off whatever praise he thought he was about to give. “I am done.”
He looked at me, then chuckled as he slowly placed the file down. “What do you mean, you are done done?”
“I mean
I won’t do this anymore,” I said. “No more spying, no more gathering information. I’m out.”
He leaned forward, his gaze stern. “Have you forgotten who you are talking to, Damien? You don’t get to say you are done until I tell you that you are. After everything I have done to cover up your mess, the least I expect is for you to do your part for this family…”
“Family?” I snapped. “A family that has never been a family? A name that is more of a curse than anything else!”
“You are not leaving,” he said coldly. “Because if you do, I’ll make sure the world knows what you did.”
I froze. “You are still using this to blackmail me? You’re really unbelievable.”
He leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face. “The night you called me, begging and crying. Trembling and scared. You remember, don’t you?”
Memories of everything came back to me the sound of the rain, the yelling.
“How can I forget when every single night I can’t sleep because of that? And you use every opportunity to remind me! I’ve barely slept peacefully since that incident occurred! So please, cut me some slack,” I said, hitting the desk, barely fighting back the tears.
“You know what? Go ahead,” I said, my voice trembling with anger. “Tell the world. Do your worst. I don’t care anymore. Maybe doing that will relieve me of the pain.”
“Don’t be a fool, Damien. This will ruin you.”
Islammed my hands down on his desk again as I leaned closer to him. “I’ve been ruined for years, thanks to you. This family has taken everything from me -my happiness, my freedom, my peace. And now it’s taking her too.”
“Her?” he asked, his tone mocking “You are talking about that woman aren’t you?
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10:02 PM
Chapter 19
“I thought we had talked about this, Damien,” he said, massaging his temples.
“Yes, Julie!” I shouted. I shouted. “I love her! I love her, and because of this damn family, I had to let her go. Do you even understand what that feels like? To lose someone you love–someone who, when I’m with her, I feel safe?” I said, kicking the air.
“She doesn’t even like me,” I muttered.
He stared at me, squeezing the document tightly, as if trying to suppress his annoyance. With the way he was glaring at me, I thought he might say something, but he didn’t
“I’m done being your puppet,” I said, stepping back. “You want to destroy me? Fine. But don’t think for a second that I’ll keep doing your dirty work.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind me.
As the driver pulled away from SkyView, I looked back at the towering estate one last time. It felt like a prison I was finally escaping, but the cost of that freedom was something that could ruin me.
“Drive faster,” I said, as I leaned on the car seat.
“Fuck,” I cursed. I hated being this empty, this… broken. She really had that effect on me.
Each time I closed my eyes, I always remembered her–how she looked in that gorgeous yellow gown of hers, the one that fit her so perfectly.
As I stared out the window, I couldn’t help but remember everything she did for me at the hospital–the way she never left my side and cared for me. And how could I forget those damn touches of hers when she caressed my fingers? I didn’t want to let go of her hand.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. This was for the best–letting her go. She wasn’t even interested in me.
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.