Lina paced back and forth in the large sitting room of her father’s house, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her face was tense with worry. She hadn’t been able to sleep properly, waiting for her father to return with news about Mr. Wolfe’s decision.
Finally, Davenport walked into the room, his expression calm but serious. Lina immediately turned to him, her eyes wide with anticipation. “Father,” she said quickly, “did you speak to Mr. Wolfe? What did he say? What’s going to happen?”
Davenport sighed as he sat down in one of the armchairs, loosening his tie. “Yes, Lina,” he said. “I spoke with him.”
“And?” Lina pressed, leaning forward. “What did he say? Is Damian going to fight this divorce?”
Her father shook his head. “No,” he said firmly. “Mr. Wolfe has agreed to the divorce. It’s over.”
Lina’s eyes lit up with relief and joy. She clasped her hands together and smiled widely. “Finally,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. “Finally, I can leave this nightmare behind. Damian and I should never have been married in the first place.”
Davenport watched her closely, his expression thoughtful. “I hope you’ve learned something from all this, Lina,” he said. “Your actions nearly ruined everything.”
Lina frowned, her smile fading slightly. “I know,” she said quietly. “But it’s not like I wanted things to turn out this way. I just… I just wanted Damian to love me.”
Her father sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Love doesn’t come from schemes and tricks, Lina,” he said. “It comes from respect and trust. You can’t force someone to care about you.”
Lina looked down at her hands, guilt flickering across her face. “I know that now,” she said softly.
Meanwhile, at Damian’s mansion, Raphael had returned after everything in the house was settled. He found Damian in the sitting room, resting on the couch with a glass of water in hand.
“Feeling better?” Raphael asked as he walked in, sitting across from his brother.
Damian nodded, setting the glass down on the table. “Much better,” he said. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“Of course,” Raphael said casually, leaning back in his chair. “But I didn’t come here to talk about the hospital.”
Damian raised an eyebrow. “Then what’s on your mind?” he asked.
Raphael smirked slightly, his tone teasing. “It’s about Lina,” he said.
Damian’s face immediately hardened. “What about her?” he asked, his voice cold.
Raphael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “She and her father are filing for divorce,” he said simply. “It’s over.”
Damian stared at him for a moment, processing the words. Then, a wide smile spread across his face. “Are you serious?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
“Dead serious,” Raphael said with a chuckle.
Damian leaned back against the couch, a laugh escaping his lips. “Finally,” he said, his voice filled with relief. “I’ve been waiting for this day.”
“I thought you’d be happy,” Raphael said, amused by his brother’s reaction.
“Happy doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Damian said. “I never wanted that marriage in the first place. It was Father’s idea, not mine.”
Raphael nodded. “I know,” he said. “And now you’re free from it. No more Lina.”
Damian shook his head, his smile growing. “Good riddance,” he said.
Raphael watched him closely, his expression turning serious. “But Damian,” he said, “you need to focus on what’s important now.”
Damian’s smile faded slightly, and he looked at his brother. “I know,” he said quietly. “Aurora.”
“Yes,” Raphael said firmly. “She’s still in the hospital, and she’s carrying your child. You need to be there for her.”
Damian nodded, his jaw tightening. “I will be,” he said. “As soon as I’m fully recovered, I’ll make sure she knows she’s not alone.”
Raphael stood up, patting Damian on the shoulder. “Good,” he said. “You’re finally thinking straight.”
Damian smirked up at him. “Don’t get used to it,” he said, his tone playful.
Raphael chuckled as he walked toward the door. “Rest up,” he said. “You’re going to need your strength for what’s ahead.”
Damian nodded, leaning back on the couch as his thoughts shifted to Aurora. He couldn’t wait to see her again, to tell her everything he had kept bottled up inside. For the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope.