154 Chapter 157
154 Chapter 157
“And?” I prompted, my interest piqued.
“Hazel,” Damien smiled, kissing my cheek. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Shaw. He’ll be accompanying you on your trip.”
“Damien,” I said slowly, “did you know Julian’s father was involved in the Cloudhaven West development project?”
Then I picked up my bag and hurried toward security, my heart lighter than it had been in years, leaving a stunned but radiantly happy Damien Sterling watching me go.
A small smile played on his lips. “Another day. You have a plane to catch.”
“I will,” I promised, leaning over to kiss him goodbye.
Before I could spiral further, another text came through.
When we reached the security checkpoint, I turned to say goodbye. The thought of being away from him for nearly two weeks suddenly felt unbearable.
My heart skipped nervously. Had he somehow found out about my conversation with Chloe? Was he upset?
Too soon, we arrived at the terminal where my team was waiting. Mr. Shaw efficiently handled my luggage while Damien walked me to the check–in area.
As I watched his car pull away, guilt gnawed at me. How could I keep pretending I didn’t know about the pressure he was facing? About his family’s disapproval? About this Bianca Sinclair person they wanted him with instead of me?
He studied me for a long moment, then brought my hand to his lips. “Hazel, you have to understand–nothing my family says or does will change how I feel about you. If they can’t accept you, that’s their loss.”
“Damien Sterling, I love you,” I declared, my voice wobbling with emotion. “Wait for me to come back.”
I forced a smile, unable to share the real reason for my distraction. “Just thinking about the business trip. There’s so much riding on this collaboration.”
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We rode in comfortable silence for a while, the weight between us somehow lighter now that everything was in the open.
“It seems Giselle might avoid prosecution for the acid attack. Her lawyers are building a case around temporary insanity–claiming she suffered a psychotic break after Julian’s ‘betrayal‘ when he briefly considered reconciling with you.”
As he released me, I saw my colleagues discreetly watching our farewell. Victoria gave me a thumbs up
behind Damien’s back, making me smile despite the lump in my
throat.
“Thank you,” I said instead, squeezing his hand. “That’s very thoughtful.”
Part of me wanted to protest–to assert my independence–but the worry in Damien’s eyes stopped me. This wasn’t about control; it was about care.
Damien’s
eyes
widened slightly. “You’d be willing to help bring them down?”
“A security precaution,” Damien explained as Mr. Shaw took my suitcase and loaded it into the trunk. “After everything that’s happened, I’d feel better knowing you have protection.”
“Don’t you dare start that again,” Victoria said firmly. “After Julian, you spent months thinking you weren’t enough. I won’t let you go back there.”
Relief washed over his face as he helped me into the backseat of the car. Once we were settled and Mr. Shaw was driving, Damien turned to me.
I blinked in surprise. “Accompanying me?”
“I know,” Damien soothed, taking my hand. “And my legal team is fighting it. But the Graysons have substantial influence.”
“But am I worth it?” I whispered. “All this drama I bring into his life? The danger? The family discord?”
“Wait!” I called out, turning back.
“You should go,” Damien said reluctantly. “You don’t want to miss your flight.”
Those three words still made my heart flutter, even as anxiety about our conversation
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lingered.
The sunlight filtered through the windows of Ashworth Bespoke as Damien’s car pulled up outside. I’d been quiet the entire ride from my apartment to the office, Chloe’s revelations from yesterday’s lunch still weighing heavily on my mind.
“Two years ago, Julian let something slip after he’d been drinking with his father. There were bribes involved in getting the permits–serious corruption. Julian told me to forget I ever heard it, but…” I paused, making a decision. “If the Graysons want to play dirty, maybe it’s time we looked into their business dealings more closely.”
*Nothing to worry about. Just some information about the Graysons I thought you should know. I love you.*
I collapsed into my office chair, dropping my bag on the desk. “I can’t stop thinking about what Chloe told us yesterday. About Damien’s family.”
Damien, who hadn’t moved from his spot, looked up with surprise as I ran back to him. People around us glanced curiously, but I didn’t care.
*I’ll pick you up at 4:30 for the airport. I have something to discuss with you.*
“I took the liberty of upgrading you and your entire team to first class,” he mentioned casually.
When I pulled back, his face was transformed with joy. He opened his mouth to speak, but I pressed a finger to his lips.
“But I don’t want to be the reason you lose your family,” I whispered.
“They’ll come around,” he said with quiet confidence. “My mother already adores you. Chloe is your biggest fan. The others just need time.”
Something shifted in Damien’s expression–a mixture of surprise and respect. “You continue to amaze me, Hazel Ashworth.”
I had taken only a few steps when something inside me broke. All the emotions I’d been containing–my fears about his family, my gratitude for his unwavering support, and most of all, the depth of my feelings for him–came rushing to the surface.
Victoria perched on the edge of my desk. “Listen, Hazel. Every powerful family has its politics. The Sterlings might be worse than most, but Damien’s a grown man who knows what he wants.”
3/6
<
154 Chapter 157
My blood boiled. “That’s ridiculous! She planned that attack. She bought the acid, she followed me-”
As we approached the airport, I asked, “Will you tell me more about saving your life? Chloe mentioned the river incident, but she said there was another time?”
“We’re here,” Damien said softly, reaching across to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “What’s on your mind? You’ve been unusually quiet.”
“Tell me when I return,” I whispered, giving him a tremulous smile.
Tears filled my eyes as I reached him, dropping my bag at my feet. Without hesitation, I threw my arms around his neck.
Chapter 157 – A United Front and a Love Confessed
At precisely 4:30, Damien’s car pulled up outside Ashworth Bespoke. As I walked out with my suitcase, I noticed he wasn’t alone. A tall, broad–shouldered man in an impeccable suit stood beside him.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Not just for revenge, but because they shouldn’t be allowed to hurt more people. Julian’s father has ruined lives with his corrupt business practices. And now they’re trying to help Giselle escape justice.”
“About the Graysons,” he began, his expression serious. “I’ve been investigating Julian’s family after what happened with Giselle.”
“I will.” I pressed my face against his chest, inhaling his familiar scent.
The morning passed in a blur of meetings and last–minute preparations for our business trip. Around noon, my phone buzzed with a message from Damien.
It wasn’t a question. I nodded, not wanting to lie. “Please don’t be angry with her. She was trying to help me understand.”
His body stiffened. “Chloe told you.”
“It’s a long flight. I want you comfortable.” His tone brooked no argument.
His eyes, always so perceptive, studied my face. “You’ll be brilliant, as always. Call me when you’re ready to leave. for the airport this evening?”
I nodded, picking up my carry–on. We shared one last kiss before I turned toward
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security, my heart heavy.
“I’m tired of being on the defensive,” I confessed. “Of always being the one who gets hurt, who reacts. I want us to face these problems together.” I squeezed his hand, gathering my courage. “I know about the pressure you’re facing from your family, Damien. About their disapproval.”
“Hazel,” he murmured into my hair, “be careful. Let Shaw do his job.”
“I promise.”
He looked at me with renewed interest. “The luxury apartment complex? No, I didn’t.”
“I’ll miss you,” I said, my voice catching.
I fell silent, thinking about everything the Grayson family had gotten away with over the years. Then, a memory clicked into place.
“Damien!” I protested. “That’s too generous.”
He pulled me close, not caring who saw us. “Call me every day, even if it’s just to say goodnight.”
His eyes widened in shock–it was the first time I had said those words to him directly, without qualification or hesitation. Before he could respond, I pressed my lips to his in a desperate kiss, pouring all my feelings into that one moment.
“No,” I said firmly, “it’s our problem now. You’ve stood by me through everything–my father’s schemes, Julian’s harassment, Ivy’s manipulations. Let me stand by you too.”
Damien sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to burden that. It’s my problem to deal with.”
you with
I nodded, trying to push away the doubts. “You’re right. I need to focus on work for
now.”
Victoria was waiting inside, scrolling through her tablet. “Ready for our pre–trip meeting? The designs for the new collection are-” She stopped, noticing my expression. “What’s wrong?”
