Chapter 57

“How will you handle it?” asked Emily, confused.

“I’m taking off my wedding ring, too.”

“Do you think that will make him less suspicious?” Emily wasn’t sure that just taking off Damien’s wedding ring would make Brian less suspicious.

“Are you okay with taking off your wedding ring?” She wasn’t Victoria. Damien shouldn’t have to go that far.

“No problem. A lot of couples don’t wear their wedding rings after they get married.”

“But, Damien. Victoria might not agree with you.” Yes, that was possible. However, Damien still believed that Victoria would heed all his words if she woke up.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t agree to play around with marriage.”

“Tell me why you feel that way,” Damien said with a small smile. What was this girl, only in her twenties, thinking? What did Emily know about marriage?

“Because it’s like playing with your vows before God. And the wedding ring is the thing that shows that we’re committed. It reminds us not to play out there.”

“Your answer sounds so innocent,” Emily narrowed her eyes at Damien, feeling that he was teasing her.

“What kind of relationship do you have that you can say that?”

“I have never been in a relationship. I don’t have time for it.” Damien gave Emily a quick look.

“So you’ve never been in a relationship?” The girl nodded.

“I can’t think of anything else besides being an actress. If I meet someone I like in the future,” Emily didn’t continue.

“What would you do if you met someone you liked?” He asked.

“I would like him with all my heart.” Damien gripped the wheel. What Emily had said was good. However, he felt unwilling to see if the one who got the girl’s attention was someone else. His plan was going well, but there were consequences. Damien hadn’t expected to be interested in a girl who looked like his wife.

“Why?” asked Emily, who was surprised that Damien suddenly stopped the car.

“It’s nothing. I just need to think for a while,” Damien replied, without looking at the girl. His eyes were fixed on the outside of the car.

“Emily,” the girl looked at Damien. She waited for his words.

“What would you do if,” Damien stopped. He sighed. What was he thinking? Telling her how he felt? It wasn’t right. Damien started driving again.

“What are you going to say?” asked Emily, curious about what Damien was going to say.

“Nothing.” Whatever Damien felt for Emily, he had to get over it. He already had a wife. Damien rubbed his face. He should be able to keep his goal. Revenge for Victoria. After that, Emily would be free of the contract and they could live their own lives. Yes, that was right. Damien has to be able to hold on.

***

“There’s something strange about Damien and Victoria’s marriage.” Brian said as he gathered with his sister and mother.

“Victoria wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. I confirmed it,” Catalina looked at her brother in disbelief.

“You met Victoria?” Brian nodded.

“It took a lot of effort, Catalina. Don’t even think about seeing Damien because that would be hard for you.” Catalina laughed at her brother’s words. She would never give up when it came to Damien.

“Victoria said she didn’t wear a wedding ring because she lost weight during her treatment. If she were thinner now, I’d believe her.” Catalina nodded in agreement. The present Victoria looked fuller.

“You don’t think Victoria’s pregnant again?” Brian gave Catalina a sharp look. The words pregnant and Victoria did not go together.

“They’re more intimate than they used to be. Their nicknames and gestures seemed more natural.” That was why Catalina was trying so hard to flirt with Damien. Victoria and Damien’s marriage did not foster romantic feelings. They were just two people who knew each other and lived under the same roof.

“We don’t know what happened while she was away, Brian. They could be in love now.” Catalina’s words made Brian slap the table so hard that Catalina jumped. Her brother’s piercing stare made Catalina swallow hard.

“Don’t say anything bad, Catalina. There is no love between them. I can definitely get Victoria,” Brian said confidently. Caroline touched Catalina’s arm, trying to calm the girl who was afraid of her brother.

“I won’t fail this time. At least she fought Damien to see me.”

“What do you mean, son?” Brian smiled sweetly at his mother.

“Victoria didn’t ask Damien for permission to have lunch with me. The man was angry earlier.” Although the lunch ended quickly and not as he had hoped, Brian was pleased to find an upset Damien.

“This could be good for us,” their mother said.

“Maybe Victoria will stand up for her family more.” Brian just nodded. He still didn’t know for sure, but hopefully, his mother was right.

“Was Victoria talking about me or your father?” Brian’s gaze went flat after Caroline asked that.

“Do you realize that things got messy because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut? Victoria wouldn’t have left angry if you hadn’t said so much.” Brian was annoyed as he remembered their chaotic family dinner. It was supposed to be a welcome home dinner for Victoria.

“You should have kept quiet. You can find out about Victoria some other time.” Brian stood up. He wanted to talk about his plans for Victoria. But when he remembered the chaotic dinner, he decided against it. Brian didn’t want his plan to fail because of his mother or Catalina. He would make his own plan.

“Do whatever you want, but don’t hurt Victoria. If anything happens to her, it will be because of you and I will not spare anyone who hurts Victoria. Even if it is my family.” Brian said his threat and entered the house.

“Brian is completely out of his mind. Is he normal, Mom? He’s horrible.” It looked like Catalina would have to watch her words from now on. She couldn’t let her brother get out of control.

“We need Brian,” Caroline said.

“But our plan will fail if Brian finds out. We want to eliminate Victoria so that her fortune goes to Father. Brian won’t allow that if he finds out.” Catalina’s concerns were valid, but there was another way to avoid Brian’s suspicions.

“We can do the same old plan again,” Caroline said coldly. She made sure her plan didn’t fail this time. The current Victoria didn’t see her as a mother. So there was no point in pretending to be nice to Victoria anymore. They had to execute the plan quickly. They couldn’t let Victoria’s anger affect Charles’ position in her company.

“But what about Brian? He must have suspected us right away.” Catalina said with some annoyance. Hadn’t her mother heard Brian’s threat?

“Don’t worry. We’ll make Brian the one who caused Victoria’s accident.” Catalina rounded her eyes at her mother’s words.

“Mom,” Catalina was speechless. Was Caroline going to make Brian the culprit in her plan?

“There is no other way, Catalina. This is to secure your father’s position and our lives. Brian has to be in our way. Why don’t we use him as a weapon to eliminate Victoria?”