CHAPTER 18

Damien's POV

As I stand under the shower with my eyes firmly clenched, the water rushes over me. Frustrated, I clench my grip as the memories flood back to me.

This was not expected to occur. The plan did not include getting married to anybody other than Helena. I never imagined myself engaging in such behavior.

I'm married to a lady who isn't Helena, yet here I am. I am married to a person for whom I have absolutely no sympathy or love.

Can anything make life better? Can this ease my guilt in any way?

Obviously not!

My shame is already having a stronger impact than usual. I vowed to be true to her for all time, and now this.

I've violated the commitment once again. The commitment I made to her has been broken. The first was to never return to the Mafia business, and I have been successful in doing so. After she passed away, I also vowed to honor our commitment to one another long after she was gone.

I won't make Helena happy. She'd feel depressed. And furious.

I once betrayed her. It stings like Hell that I have deceived her once again.

For Mom, I'm doing this. I wouldn't have been married if there was another way for me to satisfy her.

Not only Mother but everyone else, was overjoyed about the wedding. Father was grinning as well, and even though I was secretly filled with emptiness and shame, seeing them happy made me smile.

Now that the memories are returning, I doubt that I will be able to sleep tonight.

A banquet was held in Father's home after the church wedding. Mother insisted on hosting the reception at home even though I didn't want to. I was forced to give in to their demands.

I have a really difficult time acting, and it is difficult for me to smile at my spouse when we are dancing.

I feel awful for doing this to Lisa, who is a lovely bride. Better is due to her.

She deserves a better guy who is not plagued by his troubled history. She needs a guy who can cherish her, not a man like me who is just interested in manipulating her for his own gain.

She was watching me the whole time, perhaps anticipating a similar grin from me. Nobody would have suspected that she was acting or that this marriage wasn't really hers.

She requested that we have a low-key wedding, but at first, I didn't agree since I wanted the news to reach the media and the company's shareholders. That will earn me their respect.

A few days after the wedding, I made the decision to accede to her requests. She should be involved in the planning of our wedding.

It's not necessary for this to reach the media. Several of the stockholders and corporate customers received invitations. Even seeing some folks I didn't specifically invite shocked me. Mom must have carried out it. I firmly rejected her insistence on having a lavish wedding by saying "No."

She wants to boast about it to her many friends who are members of the social elite. She couldn't stop preaching Isabella's praises after seeing her in person, and that was reason enough to brag.

I shut off the shower and take my towel with me outside.

I settle down on the bed and stare out into space, telling myself that nothing has changed.

Nothing should alter at all after being married. Every element is still there and unchanged. I should let go and focus on the expansion of my business, and Lisa will start keeping track of the days after that.

She would leave this place after a year.

I would have proposed to Lisa that we hold a mock wedding if Mother and Father weren't so enthusiastic about the nuptials and the fact that I know they would want to be witnesses for the ceremony. In this manner, the guilt won't be as strong.

I am aware that it is not feasible for my kind of mother. She is constantly looking around to see whether everything is ready for the wedding.

I'm startled out of my thoughts by a tap at the door, and I glance up.

I say "Come in" and get up to go to the closet to hastily get a shirt to cover my head.

The instant the door opens, someone enters. I select a t-shirt, pull it over my head, and stand with my back to the door while I grab a pair of underwear.

"Erhmmm. I...I'm sorry. I hear Lisa stutter and turn around to face her as she is now completely dressed. She looks at me carefully before speaking. I apologize for disturbing you. Simply tell me which room is mine. There are no maids there to direct me to the proper room.

I mumbled, "Find the head maid, she must be somewhere around," and waved her off.

She remains still and unmoving. Nobody is present.

I respond, irritated, "Then find one room to stay in for the night." This shouldn't cause any issues. This property has 13 rooms, and 10 of them are now vacant. A penthouse is also located underneath.

She adds, "I tried," expressing fear, perhaps as a result of my agitated tone. She is still wearing her bridal gown from the reception. It's a blue dress with embroidery that clings tenaciously to her little frame. "Every room is locked, with the exception of the maid's room."

"All of the rooms are locked?" I scowl, and she nods in response.

As the head maid, Paulina is in charge of running the household. She must be the reason the room is locked.

I groan and walk right by her. I said, "Follow me."

We won't share a bed or room, as was agreed upon in the contract, therefore a room was already set up prior to her arrival.

I leave the room and go with deliberate length toward the stairs. As I descend the last flight of stairs, I scan the area for signs of a person.

My curiosity grows since I can't see anybody. What the heck is going on? Where are they all?

I turn and consider where to look for them while I stand in the center of the spacious living room with my arms up.

When Lisa slowly approaches, I see that her baggage is still in the living room.

Her Grandmother comes into the home, ambling toward us, before I have a chance to ask her any questions or consider where to locate everyone else.

Both Lisa and I are taken aback by her appearance. What are you doing here, Mother?

I raise an eyebrow when her Grandma approaches her with a furious look on her face but doesn't respond. Her attention switches to the suitcase next to Lisa as she approaches Lisa's side.

Oh, I'm searching for the maids to bring my stuff up to Damien's room. She says, hiding her worry behind a breezy chuckle, "We have no clue where everyone has gone.

Another individual enters when the door opens once again.

Lisa exhales as her eyes flit to the door. When I realize who it is, this happens.

"Juliet?!"

Lisa turns to face me, her eyes displaying obvious anxiety. Her Grandma, who is furious, puts her hand in the air and hits her hard on the cheeks as she turns her head to look at Juliet, who is walking towards her with a sneer on her face.

I glance from Grandma to Juliet, who has a pleased grin on her face, and my expression is confused.

"You have no right to lie to me," With tears rolling down her cheeks, the elderly lady groans.

When Juliet gives a little giggle, I can tell Grandma must have been told the truth.

The reality of our union.

The reality of how false it is.