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Chapter 36 – Doubt’s Chilling Grip: A Painful Reckoning
Fear has a way of contaminating everything it touches. As the night wore on, my suspicions about Damien Sterling and his family grew like shadows stretching across my mind: Sleep evaded me completely. I tossed and turned, my imagination conjuring increasingly horrifying scenarios.
What if Julian had been right all along? What if the Sterlings were just using me? The thought sent ice through my veins.
I pulled my blanket tighter around my shoulders as dawn broke through my bedroom window. My rare blood type–the same one that had kept Julian alive for years–was it possible the Sterlings needed it too? Was that why Damien had appeared at my wedding, why his family had woven themselves so perfectly into my life?
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Damien’s name flashed across the screen.
My heart raced. Should I answer? What if this call was just another move in whatever game he was playing? I took a deep breath and picked up.
“Good morning, Hazel. His deep voice sounded genuinely warm. “I hope I didn’t wake
you.”
“No, I was up.” I tried to keep my voice steady, searching for any hint of deception in
his tone.
“I wanted to discuss the designs you’re working on for the charity gala. Mother had some suggestions she wanted me to relay to you.”
Business talk. Safe territory. I relaxed slightly.
“Actually, could we schedule this for another time?” I blurted out. “I just received
some… difficult news.”
“What’s wrong?” The concern in his voice sounded so sincere that for a moment, my doubts wavered.
“It’s Ivy,” I lied, surprising myself with how easily the deception came. “Her condition has worsened significantly. The doctors say she doesn’t have much time left.”
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The silence on the other end la ed a beat too long. Was he seeing through my fabrication?
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he finally said. “Despite everything she did to you, I understand she’s still family..
“Yes, exactly.” I clutched the phone tighter. “I need to handle some things related to her care. Perhaps my assistant and department head could meet with you instead? They’re fully briefed on the designs.”
Another pause. “That won’t be necessary. These are details I’d rather discuss directly with you.
My suspicion flared again. Why was he so insistent on seeing me personally?
“I understand,” I said stiffly. “When my schedule clears up, I’ll be in touch.”
“Hazel.” His voice had changed, becoming more direct. “You’ve suddenly become formal. Is something wrong?”
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very
My heart hammered in my “No, nothing’s wrong. I’m just preoccupied with… everything.”
“Everything?” He let the word hang between us. “Or just second thoughts about our relationship?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I said, hearing the tremor in
my voice.
“I think you do.” His tone was gentle but persistent. “Yesterday, you seemed comfortable with me. Today, you’re making excuses and keeping your distance. What changed overnight?”
How did he read me so easily? The question made my palms sweat.
“Nothing changed,” I insisted. “I’m just busy and stressed.”
“Are you afraid of me, Hazel? Or rather, afraid of what my family might want from you?” The direct question stunned me into silence. How could he have guessed?
When I didn’t answer, Damien sighed. “I see.” The disappointment in his voice cut deeper than I expected. “Well, I won’t force my company on you. If you decide you want to discuss the designs–or anything else–you know how to reach me.”
22:06 C
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“Damien, wait-“I started, not ensure what I wanted to say.
“Goodbye, Hazel.”
The call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at my phone. Had I just made a terrible mistake? Or had I narrowly escaped whatever scheme he was planning?
I spent the rest of the day in a fog, vacillating between doubt and regret. Every time I recalled Damien’s voice when he said goodbye, my chest tightened uncomfortably.
By evening. I’d nearly convinced myself to call him back when my phone rang. The screen displayed “Butler Winslow,” Damien’s loyal servant.
My hand shook as I answered. “Hello?”
“Miss Ashworth. Winslow’s voice was as formal as ever. “I’m calling regarding the Sterling family’s orders for the upcoming events.”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Sterling has instructed me to inform you that, considering your current family emergency, the family understands if you wish to cancel the remaining orders. They will, of course, honor the full paymerit for your trouble.”
The blood drained from my face. This wasn’t just Damien backing off–this was a complete severance,
“That’s not necessary,” I said quickly. “I can still complete the orders. In fact, I’d like to offer them at no charge as an apology for any delay.”
Was
“That’s very generous, Miss Ashworth, but unnecessary. Mr. Sterling quite clear that you’re to be relieved of any obligation toward the Sterling family.”
Mr. Sterling. Not Damien. The formality felt like a wall had been erected between us.
“Please tell him I insist,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.
“I will convey your message, Winslow replied, his tone neutral. “Good evening, Miss Ashworth.”
After he hung up, I sank onto my couch, a hollowness expanding in my chest. What had I done? The coldness in Winslow’s message could only have come from Damien himself.
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I pulled my knees to my chest and let the tears come. Whether the Sterlings had ulterior motives or not, I’d pushe way the one man who had shown me nothing but kindness and respect since we met. All because of fear and suspicion planted by people who had already proven they couldn’t be trusted.
Yet the doubts lingered. Why had Damien sought me out specifically? What was his ‘true interest in me? The questions circled relentlessly as tears soaked into my sleeve.
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The knowing I might never get answers now. I’d slammed the door on whatever was developing between us–whether it was genuine affection or something more sinister.
My phone remained silent as night fell. No calls from Damien. No messages attempting to change my mind or explain himself.
The silence felt definitive. Final.
Whatever Damien Sterling had wanted from me, he had apparently decided I wasn’t worth the trouble anymore. And despite my fears about his true intentions, that realization hurt more deeply than I could have imagined possible.
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