Chapter 147 147
Charlotte was kindness embodied. Damien had only asked her to lend Jacqueline a few spare dresses, but she had practically emptied her entire wardrobe onto the bed.
“Take whatever you like,” she insisted warmly, giving Jacqueline complete freedom.
Jacqueline was touched by her generosity but she had her own quiet way of giving back. As she chatted with Charlotte nonstop, she cleverly coaxed out which dresses were her absolute favorites. Those, Jacqueline subtly set aside, choosing instead from the rest.
In the end, she took very little two shirts, two pairs of jeans, a sundress, and a single set of pajamas. Nothing more.
When it came to innerwear, Jacqueline hesitated. She was petite, yes, but her curves made sizing tricky. Charlotte assured her softly that she would get what she needed first thing tomorrow.
“So… how exactly did you two become friends?” Eugénie asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I still can’t wrap my head around this.”
Jacqueline laughed lightly and shrugged. “We had the same class. Coincidentally, he sat right next to me. I greeted him… and he ignored me like I didn’t exist.”
She chuckled at the memory.
“One of my friends saw it happen and dared me to get his number.”
Both girls’ eyes widened instantly, their interest piqued as they scooted closer on the bed.
“Damn. I like this already,” Eugénie grinned.
“What happened next?” Charlotte asked gently, her ocean-blue eyes bright with curiosity.
“I clung to your brother like a leech,” Jacqueline admitted with mock seriousness. “I talked to him nonstop teased him, bantered with him and every single time, he ignored me. I honestly started wondering if he was mute. Or maybe deaf.”
Eugénie snorted loudly before Charlotte swatted her arm to silence her.
“Then one day, the professor paired us for an assignment. That was the first time he spoke to me voluntarily.” Jacqueline placed a hand dramatically over her chest. “He said an entire sentence.”
Both sisters blinked at her.
“Uh… never mind,” she muttered dryly.
“Then what?” Eugénie pressed eagerly.
“Then this Noël guy showed up at his place. He kidnapped him. I had to save your brother from Lenox, and Damien behaved like an ungrateful brat afterward,” Jacqueline added with a scowl.
“WHAT?” Both girls stiffened at the mention of Noël, shock flashing across their faces before they quickly masked it.
“And then?” they asked in unison.
“Well… we got stuck in an elevator once,” Jacqueline continued thoughtfully. “I think that’s when we finally reached some sort of understanding.”
“I like it,” Eugénie declared again with a grin.
Charlotte, however, remained quiet, watching Jacqueline carefully.
“Damien wasn’t like this before,” she said softly, lowering her gaze to her hands.
Jacqueline understood without needing clarification. The girl who had walked away from him had left scars deeper than anyone realized.
“We should head home. Mom’s probably waiting,” Eugénie announced, hopping off the bed.
They all made their way downstairs.
Mathieu sat on the couch watching television, a bowl of snacks balanced on his lap. He had been quiet all evening. He never adjusted quickly to new people—it took him time to feel comfortable. Jacqueline noticed Damien and Dominique standing near the door, deep in serious conversation.
Their heads turned the moment she appeared, and their discussion abruptly stopped.
“I’ll walk you guys out,” Damien said.
The girls waved goodbye to Jacqueline before stepping outside.
“I’ll be back tonight,” Damien told her. “Got some business to handle.”
She nodded quietly, then suddenly spoke up before she could stop herself.
“Should I make dinner for you?”
“No. Thanks, though,” he replied simply before walking out.
Dominique gave her a brief nod from the pathway. Jacqueline closed the door softly behind them.
Now it was just her and Mathieu.
She sat beside him on the couch as he continued munching.
“There are too many people,” Mathieu grumbled.
Jacqueline burst out laughing.
—
Night fell heavily, and sleep once again refused to come.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. The air felt thick, charged, as though the sky was holding its breath before breaking.
Jacqueline slipped out of bed and padded downstairs. She checked on Mathieu first he was fast asleep. Damien’s boots were absent from their usual place.
He wasn’t home yet.
She walked toward the patio and stepped outside, still wearing his shirt. Drawing in a deep breath, she exhaled slowly.
The first raindrop landed on the crown of her head.
She tilted her face upward, and a radiant smile spread across her lips.
Within minutes, the sky opened. Rain poured down in sheets, drenching her instantly.
The water was icy against her skin, but she didn’t care. She raised her arms, letting the rain soak her completely. A laugh bubbled from her throat as she spun in a slow circle. The cold air brushed against her bare legs, making her shiver but it did nothing to dull her joy.
She loved the rain. Always had.
As a child, she would wait all year for monsoon season, just to feel this—this wild, freeing happiness.
Suddenly, a large hand gripped her waist.
She gasped as she was pulled back against a hard chest.
Before she could turn, a strong arm wrapped around her middle, and a warm face pressed into the curve of her neck.
She froze, heart pounding violently.
“D-Damien?” she stammered, her fingers instinctively gripping his arms.
“Hm.” His voice was rough, gravelly.
Relief flickered through her until she felt his lips brush against her neck.
She tried to pry his arms away, but instead, he spun her around so she faced him.
Rain drenched him completely. Water dripped from his dark hair. And when she looked into his eyes, her breath caught.
Golden flecks shimmered in the darkness of them.
“W-what’s wrong?” she asked softly, chest rising and falling rapidly. Her lips parted as she nervously bit down on the lower one.
“Fuck,” he growled.
His hand slid into her wet hair, wrapping the strands around his fist and tugging gently so her head tilted back, exposing her throat.
He loomed over her, rain cascading between them.
“Forgive me,” he rasped.
And then he closed the distance, capturing her soft lips with his own.