153 Chapter 156
My mind raced back. “Vaguely? I remember there was some commotion. Someone fell in during a storm.”
She sighed heavily. “But things have gotten complicated since the acid attack. When Damien put himself between you and Giselle, when he nearly got hurt… Mother got
scared.”
“Love about him?” Chloe finished, her eyes twinkling. “It’s okay, we can all see you’re head over heels. And trust me, it’s mutual. I’ve never seen my brother this way.”
“He didn’t want to burden you,” Chloe explained. “Damien’s always been protective like that. Taking on problems without sharing them.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. “He wouldn’t…”
“He absolutely would,” Chloe insisted. “For years, he’s watched you from afar, protected you when he could. Now that he finally has you in his life for real, nothing will make him let you go.”
I tried to process everything. “So your mother used to approve of me, but now she’s hesitant because of the drama in my life? And the family elders are pushing someone else entirely?”
“It’s one of the things I…” I trailed off, suddenly shy about expressing the depth of my
feelings.
Just then, Chloe burst through the door in her typical whirlwind fashion. “Sorry I’m late! Traffic was a nightmare, and then this idiot tried to take my parking spot-” She stopped abruptly, staring at me. “Oh my god, you slept with my brother, didn’t you?” “There’s more,” Chloe continued, dropping her voice even lower. “Our mother adored you from the moment she heard about you saving Damien. For years, she’s bee sking about ‘that Ashworth girl. She was thrilled when you two finally connected.”
I felt sick. “Unlike me.”
Victoria tapped her glass against the table. “This calls for something stronger than tea.” She waved to the waiter. “Three glasses of champagne, please.”
153 Chapter 156
We clinked glasses, laughing, but my mind was still reeling. Would Damien really choose me over his family’s approval? And could I let him make that sacrifice?
“Hazel? Are you awake?” Damien’s voice called softly.
I nodded slowly, already feeling the weight of this secret between us. “I won’t say anything.”
Chloe reached for my other hand. “Listen to me, Hazel. None of that matters to Damien. Do you know what he told me last week? He said, ‘If they make me choose between the Sterling name and Hazel, I’ll legally change my name tomorrow.”
I tensed slightly, both wanting and dreading to hear the answer.
“Was?” I caught the past tense immediately.
“I wanted to.” He set the tray down and leaned in to kiss my
well?”
Chloe smiled. “But he saw yours. And he never forgot it.”
My stomach dropped. “She blames me?”
forehead. “Did you sleep
“He did,” Chloe confirmed. “I’ve never seen him stand up to Grandfather like that before. For anyone.”
He entered carrying a tray with coffee, fresh fruit, and toast. The sight of him in casual morning attire–a simple black t–shirt and jeans–somehow made him even more devastatingly handsome than in his usual suits.
My chopsticks clattered against my plate. “What?”
“Absolutely,” Chloe agreed firmly. “And Damien thinks só too. He’s been fighting tooth and nail against the pressure. He told Grandfather Sterling that his choice was made and non–negotiable.”
“Hey,” Victoria reached across the table to grasp my hand. “You are worth ten Pianca Sinclairs.”
The champagne arrived, and Victoria raised her glass. “To Hazel and Damien–may they continue to shock the hell out of the Sterling elders for many years to come.”
My heart swelled at his thoughtfulness. “You remembered my schedule?”
<
153 Chapter 156
“He wasn’t there by accident,” Chloe confirmed. “He’d been looking for an opportunity to meet you properly.”
“Text me when you’re done with Valentina,” he said, pulling up outside my building. “I have meetings until five, but I’m free after”
“Honey, you’re practically radioactive.” She leaned forward. “Spill. Everything.”
But as I watched Chloe walk away, I wondered how I could possibly keep something this significant from the man I was falling deeply in love with.
“Yes, come in,” I answered, sitting up and quickly smoothing my hair.
“Hazel, you absolutely mustn’t tell my brother I told you all this, or I’m really done for,” she pleaded urgently. “He’d kill me if he knew I spilled about Mother’s hesitations or the family pressure.”
“Well, look who’s glowing,” she remarked the moment I walked in. “Someone had a good night.”
She nodded. “Do you remember that summer in Willow Creek when you were sixteen? There was a boy who nearly drowned in the river behind your grandparents‘ property.” Victoria leaned forward, clearly invested. “So he’s known who she was all this time? That’s almost stalker–ish.”
Rolling over, I buried my face in the pillow that smelled faintly of his cologne. How had I gotten so lucky? After everything with Julian, I’d never expected to find someone who respected my boundaries so completely.
1
“You deserve to feel completely comfortable,” he’d said, brushing his thumb across my swollen lips. “And I don’t entirely trust myself around you tonight.”
I reached for his hand, overcome with emotion. “Thank you for last night. For everything.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Not exactly? What does that mean?”
My mind was spinning. “So at the auction that night…”
“I…” Images flashed through my mind–rain pelting my face, struggling with the weight
3/6
<
153 Chapter 156
of a teenage boy, running to find adults. “That was him? I didn’t even get a good look at his face.”
Chloe nodded grimly. “They’ve been pushing Bianca Sinclair pretty hard. Fourth–generation wealth, political connections, no scandals.”
I sighed, pouring myself tea from the pot already on the table. “We spent the night together at his lakehouse, but he was a perfect gentleman. He gave me the master bedroom and slept somewhere else.”
“Wow,” Victoria murmured. “That’s… actually really sweet.”
Three hours later, I was back at my apartment, freshly showered and changed for work. Damien had insisted on driving me himself rather than calling his driver.
The Imperial Garden, Victoria’s family restaurant, had reserved our usual private dining room. I arrived to find Victoria already there, scrolling through her phone.
He laughed, the sound warming me from the inside. “Good. You have that meeting with Valentina at eleven, right? I thought we should leave by nine to get you back to your apartment first.”
“No thanks needed.” He squeezed my fingers. “Now eat before it gets cold.”
I felt dizzy with this new information. “I had no idea.”
As lunch concluded and we prepared to leave, Chloe suddenly clutched my arm, her expression deadly serious.
I woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, momentarily disoriented before remembering I was in Damien’s lakehouse. The events of last night flooded back -his passionate kiss, the way we’d eventually pulled apart, both breathing heavily, and his gentlemanly insistence that I take the master bedroom while he slept in another
room.
“No, not exactly,” Chloe rushed to clarify. “She’s just worried about the dang that seems to follow you. And then there’s the matter of the family elders.”
“That was Damien,” Chloe said quietly. “He was staying with our grandfather at the military compound nearby. You pulled him out and got help.”
“But I should know if his family disapproves of me,” I argued. “It’s not fair to keep me in the dark.”
<
153 Chapter 156
I rolled my eyes playfully. “I’m just going to a business meeting, not skydiving”
“Still.” His expression remained serious. “Promise me.”
“Be careful today,” he added, his protective instinct showing through.
Lunch with Victoria and Chloe had been planned for weeks, but today’s meeting felt especially welcome. After my night with Damien, I was bursting to talk to someone.
“The Sterling family council,” Victoria interjected knowingly. “They’re notoriously conservative about bloodlines and suitable matches.”
“And I’m firmly on your side,” she added, squeezing my hand. “No matter what anyone else in the family says.”
As the waiter hurried off, I wiped my eyes. “I don’t know what to say. I had no idea about any of this.”
Chloe snorted. “Are you kidding? Before Hazel, we were all convinced he’d die alone with his security detail as pallbearers.” She turned to me, her expression softening. “You have no idea how long he’s been waiting for you.”
Chapter 156 – Whispers of Doubt, Promises of Love
“He’s not trying to deceive you,” Chloe said gently. “He just doesn’t see it as a real obstacle. In his mind, it’s already resolved–you’re his choice, end of story.”
“Is it that obvious?” I laughed, setting down my purse.
Chloe winced, clearly having slipped. “Well… she’s still supportive, but…”
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
“Chloe!” I spluttered, my face heating. “I did not! Well, not exactly.”
Chloe plopped down beside me. “That sounds exactly like Damien. He’s alw ́s been stubbornly principled.”
“What do
you
mean?” I asked, confused.
“But what?” I pressed.
“Not like that,” Chloe defended quickly. “He kept tabs, made sure you were okay from a
<
153 Chapter 156
distance. When he learned you were engaged to Julian, he backed off completely. It was only after that disaster wedding that he decided to approach you.”
“Like a baby. This bed is ridiculous–I think I sank about six inches into the mattress.”
Victoria signaled the waiter to start bringing our food. “So, Chloe, give us the inside scoop. Has Damien ever been this serious about anyone before?”
“Of course.” His eyes grew serious. “Everything about you matters to me, Hazel.”
Chloe shot a quick look toward the door, as if checking we were truly alone. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but… Damien has been aware of you for years. Long before you officially met.”
“I will.” I leaned across the console to kiss him goodbye, still marveling at how natural it
felt.
My heart swelled even as anxiety gnawed at my insides. “He said that?”
“I promise.” I squeezed his hand before stepping out of the car.
“You didn’t have to bring breakfast to bed,” I said, unable to keep the smile from my
face.
Comment 2
O
Share what’s on your mind!
图
Send Gift
Swipe left to continue >
