Chapter 128 128
“I want to help you,” she said quietly.
“You can’t,” he replied just as softly.
“Why are you like this?” Frustration crept into her voice. “It’s like you don’t even want to live. You’re healthy. You’re strong. You eat good food, you’re getting a good education, you sleep safely in your bed every night. You should be thanking God for that. Instead, you act like a spoiled brat and waste your life.”
The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
“Do you know how many people are suffering from terrible diseases?” she added, her tone sharpening with emotion.
“Shut up,” he gritted, rubbing his forehead as if warding off a headache.
“I want to help you,” she insisted, softer now. “Share your pain with me. You can cry. Let it out.”
He ignored her.
“Friends make things lighter,” she continued stubbornly. “If you surround yourself with good people, half your day feels easier.”
“What are you?” he snapped, rising to his feet in irritation. “A magician?”
Jacqueline swallowed and pushed herself up too, though she remained in the corner, small and still.
“You really think you can cure my pain, Jacqueline?” His voice dropped, deep and dangerous.
“Only if y-you let me,” she answered, her voice gentle despite the tremor.
A cold, humorless chuckle escaped him.
The sound made her flinch. It was dark. Sinister. It sent a shiver down her spine—but she didn’t look away.
He turned fully toward her. “I’m dangerous, Jacqueline. I could ruin you.”
His eyes darkened, his tone heavy with warning. He took two slow, predatory steps forward.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs. Instinctively, she stepped back until her spine met the wall.
And then
She smiled.
Soft. Beautiful.
“I’m already ruined,” she whispered.
“Stop it, Jacq,” he growled.
He hated this how easily she seemed to see through him. How she stripped away his defenses without even trying. Who did she think she was?
“You can’t fix what’s already broken,” he bit out.
He dragged a hand through his hair. “Why the hell am I even talking about this with you?” he hissed, and she recoiled slightly.
For a brief second, he squeezed his eyes shut and stepped away from her.
What the hell was wrong with him?
He had snapped at her, and yet she kept pressing against wounds he worked so hard to keep sealed.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, retreating to the floor again, hugging her knees as she stared at the ground like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
Suddenly, Damien slammed his fist against the elevator door with full force.
Jacqueline jumped in shock.
A visible dent appeared in the metal.
“Is anyone out there?” he roared. “Open this damn door!”
His voice was venomous enough to shake her to her core. Was he angry because of her?
She tried to make herself smaller, as if shrinking would make her invisible.
He struck the door twice more before exhaling harshly and sliding down to sit against the wall again.
Silence returned.
Then her eyes landed on his hand.
His knuckles were split open. Blood seeped from the bruised skin.
“You hurt yourself,” she whispered.
Damien looked at her and truly saw her.
Her black hair was twisted into a messy bun, exposing her slender neck and bare shoulders. In the faint light, her skin seemed almost luminous. A small dark mole rested on her right shoulder. Her collarbones were delicate and defined.
Her eyes large and brown still carried a trace of fear. Thick lashes framed them. High cheekbones. A small, perfect nose. Soft pink lips. A sharp jaw softened by full cheeks.
She was beautiful.
“D… Damien?” she said hesitantly.
He snapped back to himself.
“You’re bleeding,” she repeated gently.
“I’m fine,” he muttered, pulling out a handkerchief and wrapping it tightly around his injured knuckles.
“I’m sorry I made you angry,” she said lightly, trying to ease the tension. “If you want, we can pretend this whole conversation never happened. Don’t worry I’ll never tell anyone that once upon a time I was stuck in an elevator with you.”
Her tone was almost playful.
Suddenly, the lights flickered back on.
She squeezed her eyes shut with a hiss as the brightness stabbed at them. Damien stood quickly and pressed the button.
The elevator jerked to life.
Jacqueline stood too.
It moved only a short distance downward
and then stopped again.
“Damn it,” he cursed.
He grabbed the doors and forced them apart with brute strength. With a low growl, he pried them open.
The upper half revealed a concrete wall. The lower half opened to the third floor.
If they jumped, they could make it.
Before she could even process it, Damien hauled himself up and out with effortless agility.
She stared at him in awe.
“Please… don’t leave me here,” she said quickly, panic creeping back in. For a second, she feared he might abandon her after everything.
“Jump. I’ll catch you,” he said flatly, standing below.
She edged closer to the opening, heart hammering.
“You have to catch me, okay? I don’t want to die yet. I have a brother to take care of”
Before she could finish, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward.
She screamed.
But he caught her easily.
Unfortunately, in her frantic panic, she swung her fist straight into his jaw. The impact threw him off balance, and they both crashed to the floor with her on top of him.
“What the hell?” he growled.
Her palms were planted on either side of his head as she pushed herself up, eyes wide.
“I—I’m sorry!” she stammered, her heart racing wildly.
He stared up at her, their faces dangerously close, something intense flashing in his eyes.
Jacqueline scrambled off him immediately.
“Jacqueline!”
She froze at the sharp voice.
Slowly, she rose to her unsteady feet, eyes dropping to the floor.
Damien stood as well.
“Where were you?” Julien hissed, fury radiating from him.
Before she could answer, he seized her wrist and dragged her away, throwing a cold glare at Damien over his shoulder.
Damien watched them, confusion etched across his features.
Shaking it off, he handed over the cheque for the fundraiser and headed toward the parking lot.
But then
He stopped.
His eyes widened slightly at what he saw.
Julien had Jacqueline pinned against his car.
And he was all over her.