CHAPTER 14
Damien’s POV
I was still standing by my desk, arms crossed, jaw tight, when Genevieve walked in.
The door clicked shut behind her. She strolled inside with the ease of someone who belonged here–like she always had.
Like she always would.
“Talking to the secretary again?” she mused, setting down a cup of coffee on my desk. “You know she likes to run her mouth,
right?”
I shot her a look “She’s efficient.”
Genevieve smirked. “And nosy.
There was a knowing glint in her eyes, as if she already had an idea of what the secretary had been saying. I had no patience for
games right now.
“Why are you here?” I asked, sighing as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Well, your mother invited us to dinner this weekend,” she announced casually. “She thinks we should spend more time together
as a family.”
I stiffened. Us. Family.
I didn’t like the way she said it.
“I’m busy,” I said flatly. “I’ll talk to her about it later.”
Genevieve’s smile barely faltered, but I noticed the flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
“You’re always busy,” she murmured, stepping closer. “Or maybe… you’re just too caught up in her.”
I knew exactly who she meant.
My expression hardened. “I don’t want to talk about Celeste ”
Genevieve let out a quiet breath, shaking her head as she looked at me. Something in her gaze softened, like she was seeing past
my defenses.
“You know, Damien,” she said gently, “I was the one who knew you first. I was there before Celeste ever was,”
I frowned slightly, but she continued before I could respond.
“Do you remember how we met?” Her voice took on a nostalgic tone as she came closer to me. “You were this cold, distant CEO,
and I was the one person who could handle you. I understood you. I protected you from those who wanted to use you. I was by your side every single day, working late nights, standing by you when you had no one else.”
Yes, I did remember. Genevieve had been there from the beginning. Long before Celeste.
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She took another bold step forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I’ve always been by your side, Damien.”
I could smell her perfume, feel her skin against mine as she threw her arms around me. And before I could react, she kissed me..
Her lips were soft and moist. The way she pressed into me, her hands gripping my arms, was full of quiet desperation.
I stood rigid, frozen. I have never thought Genevieve has feelings for me!
I jerked back, breaking the kiss, my hands instinctively going to Genevieve’s shoulders to push her away.
“What the hell are you doing?” My voice came out very harsh, filled with shock and something dangerously close to anger.
Genevieve didn’t flinch. She only looked up at me with those familiar, pleading eyes. The same ones that had always been on my
side. The same ones that had convinced me that she was someone I could trust.
Not now. Not when my patience was already wearing thin.
“I love you, Damien,” she whispered, reaching for me again. “I always have. I love you more than anyone can ever love you.”
I clenched my fists, stepping back, creating distance. “You’re out of line, Genevieve.”
Her lips trembled, her confidence faltering just for a moment before she straightened herself. “You know I’m right. Celeste was
never meant for you.”
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “This isn’t about Celeste.”
“Of course, it is!” she snapped, her composure slipping. “She was never worthy of you! Everyone knew it! Your mother knew it! I
knew it. But you–you kept holding on to her for some insane reason! I’m the one who’s always been by your side. I’m the one who’s always been loyal to you. And yet, she’s the one who gets everything?”
She shook her head, eyes burning with frustration. “Your mother supports us. You should too.”
Something in my chest twisted with discomfort. “Enough,” I said firmly. “I don’t love you, Genevieve.” The truth came out of my
mouth before I could stop them.
She froze. And for the first time, I saw something crack in her expression.
“Damien…” Her voice was almost fragile.
But I didn’t have time for this.
I turned toward the door, pushing it open. As soon as I stepped out, I noticed the secretary stiffening, her face unusually tense as
she fumbled with a stack of papers in her hands.
She looked like she had just seen a ghost.
- d. “What is it?”
My eyes narrowed. “What is it?”
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She swallowed, her grip tightening on the documents,
I glanced down and caught sight of the word divorce on one of the papers. My heart began to race.
Then I saw Celeste’s name and her signature.
A sudden, suffocating realization hit me.
She was here. Had she seen Genevieve and me through the window? She’d left just like that, without even waiting
talk to me. Why?!
I felt the air leave my lungs.
She actually meant it. The divorce.
Celeste Vaughn was walking out of my life for real.
I turned to the secretary, my voice low but ice–cold. “Did Celeste come here earlier?”
to see me or
She flinched, her eyes darting away as she tried to compose herself. “I–I don’t know what you mean, sir,” she stammered, her fingers nervously twisting the papers in her hands.
My patience evaporated in an instant. “Don’t lie to me.”
She blinked rapidly, looking caught between fear and guilt. She finally muttered, “Yes, she was here. She-”
But before she could finish, I cut her off. “And you didn’t think to inform me?” My voice boomed, sending a sharp chill through
the office. I could feel the anger rising to the surface. (
Her face turned pale, her lips trembling. “I… I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t-”
I didn’t wait for her to finish. I was already marching out of the office, my mind racing. How could she have been here, and I
didn’t even know?
Everything inside me tightened at the thought of her. And the look on her face–the coldness, the distance–it haunted me.
I stormed out of the building, my feet moving faster as I crossed the parking lot. And then, I saw it. Her car, pulling away, slowly but surely, like she was leaving my life behind.
I didn’t think.
I just moved. I ran in front of her car, and the vehicle screeched to a stop as our eyes met through the windshield.
Seeing the driver’s window roll down, I hurried to her side with determination. After recovering from the surprise of seeing me, she glared at me.
I only had one question for her, though. “Celeste, have you made your decision?”
