Chapter 67
Damian’s POV
Days passed since that fateful night. The tension in our home began to dissipate, replaced by an uneasy truce. Damian and I started talking again, sharing meals and conversations.
At first, I felt uneasy, my guard still up. But Damian’s demeanor changed. He became more relaxed, more approachable.
One evening, as we cooked dinner together, Damian asked about my day. His eyes sparkled with genuine interest.
For the first time in months, I felt like myself around him.
As we sat down to eat, Damian reached for my hand. I didn’t pull away.
“Thank you for dinner,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine.
I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest.
“Welcome.”
The simple exchange became a turning point.
Damian and I began to reconnect. We’d laugh together, sharing stories and memories.
One morning, as I got ready for work, Damian surprised me with a gentle kiss on the cheek.
“Have a great day,” he whispered.
I turned, my heart skipping a beat.
“Thank you.”
Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw the Damian I once loved. The Damian who made me feel alive.
As the days passed, I began to loosen up, to feel free around him. We’d dance in the kitchen, singing along to our favorite songs. We’d watch movies together, snuggled under blankets.
The distance between us shrunk.
One evening, as we walked hand in hand through the park, Damian turned to me.
“Valerie, can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” I replied, my heart open.
“Do you think… can we start over?” Damian’s eyes searched mine.
I hesitated, my mind racing.
Start over? Leave the past behind? Forgive?
“I don’t know,” I said finally.
Damian’s face fell, but he nodded.
“I understand.”
We walked in silence, the sun setting behind us.
As we reached home, Damian pulled me close.
“I’ll wait for you, Valerie,” he whispered. “I’ll wait for you to forgive me, to love me again.”
His words wrapped around my heart. For the first time in months, I felt hope.
Hope that we could heal. Hope that we could love again.
But as I looked into Damian’s eyes, I saw something else.
A glimmer of determination. A hint of possessiveness. And I wondered…
Had Damian truly changed? Or was this just another manipulation?
************
The invitation to Emma and Ryan’s wedding arrived ( Damian’s close friend and colleague) and Damian insisted we attend. I hesitated, unsure if I was ready for a social gathering, but Damian’s enthusiasm was infectious.
“Come on, Valerie. It’ll be fun. We can forget our troubles for one night.”
I relented, and we prepared for the big day.
As we arrived at the venue, I was struck by the elegance. Soft lighting, exquisite flowers, and the sound of gentle music filled the air.
Damian took my hand, leading me through the crowds. We mingled, laughing and chatting with familiar faces.
The ceremony was beautiful, Emma radiant in her white gown. Ryan’s eyes shone with adoration as he vowed to love her forever.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Love was possible. Happiness was within reach.
As the reception began, Damian and I took to the dance floor. The music was alive, pulsating through my veins.
We spun and twirled, our bodies swaying together. Damian’s eyes sparkled, his smile captivating.
For one night, I forgot our troubles. Forgot the past.
Forgot everything except the man holding me.
Champagne flowed, and we sipped, laughing and toasting to the happy couple.
As the night wore on, Damian’s hand wandered, tracing the curve of my neck.
“Valerie,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
I shivered, my heart racing.
The music slowed, and we swayed together, lost in each other’s eyes.
As the evening drew to a close, Damian suggested we leave.
“We’re not staying for the after-party?” I asked, pouting.
“Let’s create our own party,” Damian whispered, his eyes glinting.
We stumbled out, arms around each other, half-drunk and giggling.
The cool night air hit us, and Damian pulled me closer.
“Valerie,” he murmured, his lips brushing against mine.
I felt the familiar spark.
The flame that never fully extinguished.
Our lips met, and the world around us melted away.
We stumbled home, hands roaming, lips locked.
The door closed behind us, and we collapsed onto the couch.
Clothes scattered, our bodies entwined.
The room spun, and I felt alive. Free.
Damian’s touch ignited a fire within me.
Our lips met, and I knew then that I still loved him.
The night wore on, and passion gave way to exhaustion.
As I drifted off to sleep, Damian’s arms wrapped around me and I felt safe.
I woke to the sound of Damian’s gentle snores. My head pounded, and my mouth felt dry. Memories of the previous night flooded back.
The wedding and champagne, our passionate kiss.
And the reckless abandon that followed.
I groaned, covering my face.
What had I done?
Damian stirred beside me, his arm wrapping around my waist.
“Good morning,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.
I turned, meeting his gaze.
“Morning,” I replied, my voice husky.
Damian’s eyes sparkled.
“Last night was amazing,” he said, his lips curving into a smile.
I blushed, remembering the intensity of our passion.
“It was,” I admitted.
Damian pulled me closer.
“I’ve missed this,” he whispered. “Missed us.”
My heart skipped a beat.
As we lay together, I realized something. I still loved Damian.
We spent the morning lounging in bed, laughing and reminiscing about the wedding.
The tension between us had dissipated and replaced by a sense of hope.
As we showered and dressed, Damian caught my hand.
“Let’s do something today,” he said. “Just us.”
I smiled.
“Okay.”
We drove to the coast, walking along the beach.
The sun shone bright, the waves crashing against the shore.
Damian took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine.
“I promise to make things right,” he said. “To regain your trust.”
I looked up, meeting his gaze.
“I want to trust you,” I replied. “But it’s not easy.”
Damian nodded.
“I know. I’ll prove it to you. Every day.”
As we walked, the wind whipping our hair.
I felt a sense of peace.
The day unfolded like a dream. As the sun dipped into the ocean.
Damian turned to me.
“I love you, Valerie,” he whispered.
My heart skipped a beat.
“I love you too,” I replied.
********
Damian’s POV
I woke up to Valerie’s gentle moans. She clutched her stomach, her face pale.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” I asked, concern etched on my face.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I feel nauseous.”
I sprang out of bed, grabbing my phone.
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Valerie nodded weakly.
We arrived at the hospital, and I helped Valerie out of the car.
“Let’s get you checked out,” I said, supporting her.
In the emergency room, we waited anxiously.
“Valerie Richardson?” a nurse called.
We followed her to the examination room.
“Hi, Doctor,” Valerie said, attempting a smile.
“Good morning,” Dr. Lee replied. “What seems to be the problem?”
Valerie explained her symptoms.
Dr. Lee nodded thoughtfully.
“Let’s run some tests.”
I paced outside, hoping for good news.
A pregnancy test. Finally.
Dr. Lee emerged, a sympathetic smile on her face.
“Damian, Valerie’s not pregnant.”
My face fell.
Disappointment washed over me.
“What’s wrong with her, then?” I asked.
“Valerie’s body is still recovering from the last miscarriage,” Dr. Lee explained gently. “She’s not ready to get pregnant again just yet.”
“How long are we going to wait?” I asked.
“Six months, at least,” Dr. Lee replied. “Her body needs time to heal.”
I nodded, trying to process the news.
“Can I see her?” I asked.
Dr. Lee nodded.
Valerie lay in bed, looking fragile.
“Hey,” I said softly.
“Hey,” she whispered back.
“What did the doctor say?” she asked.
I hesitated.
“Six months,” I said quietly.
Valerie’s face fell.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
I took her hand.
“It’s not your fault,” I said. “We’ll wait. We’ll try again.”
Valerie nodded, tears welling up.
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she replied.
We sat in silence, holding hands.
Six months seemed like an eternity.
But I’d wait for Valerie, our future and for our family.
Later that evening, we sat on the couch, watching the sunset.
“I’m sorry,” Valerie said again.
“Stop apologizing,” I said. “We’re in this together.”
Valerie smiled weakly.
“I want to give you a child so badly,” she whispered.
“You will,” I said. “We’ll try again. We’ll make it happen.”
Valerie leaned into me.
“I love you, Damian.”
“I love you too, Valerie.”
We held each other, the silence between us filled with hope.
I woke up early, Valerie still sleeping beside me. The events of the previous day weighed heavily on my mind. Six months felt like an eternity.
As Valerie stirred, I turned to her.
“Good morning,” she said, her voice soft.
“Morning,” I replied, smiling.
But my mind wasn’t on small talk.
“Valerie, can I talk to you about something?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Yesterday’s news… it got me thinking.”
Valerie’s eyes narrowed.
“What about?”
“Our situation. The inheritance. I know it’s not just about the money, but… I want to ensure our future.”
Valerie’s expression turned curious.
“What do you have in mind?”
I took a deep breath.
“A surrogate mother.”