CHAPTER 2

Damien's POV

Two years have already passed.

Two years of f***ing torture. Two years ago, she went away with my infant.

I've gone through the phase of recalling our evening together and the circumstances that led to our dispute just before she went away.

Pure agony and hatred for who I am and what I stand for have always been the only emotions present.

I still bear some guilt for her passing.

Maybe if I had simply listened to her and given up on the dangerous family business, as she used to call it, we might still be together and have our child.

I did not, however. I was unwilling to give up the way of life I had known growing up. My father was the Mafia's boss. Helena interfered with my efforts to become one as well.

She detested what we do utterly. She pushed me into ending partnerships by encouraging me to do so in every way possible. I found it difficult. I adored the work that we produced. I loved having the reins. Shaming the guilty was fun for me.

Helena resented it all the way through.

Now that I've severed ties with my always-busy father, I've also given up on everything that reminds me of her. He is aware of my position despite the fact that we haven't spoken in over a year.

My mother, on the other hand, has been nagging me about getting married and having grandchildren. I wondered whether I would ever be able to love another lady as much as I do after Helena and I failed to make it to the altar.

Since she died, I've stopped using the word "love" because it makes me nervous. Actually, I have no idea what commitment is.

I find the word offensive.

Since my mother keeps bothering me about it, I want to prove to her that I'm not cut out for marriage or having kids. They will be used as a target by my rivals and enemies. I'd like not to go through another traumatic time when loved ones pass away.

I'm done.

However, I will marry her to pacify her, and a year later, we will divorce.

I was confused by this after our video chat with her last night. The challenge was deciding who to tell, who to discuss this with, and who to accept as a bride.

I told Gabriel that I had plans to go to a club tonight. Gabriel has a wife, and he inspires me to let go of the past and do the same.

But how easy is it really?

Indeed, it is.

I've let go fully, yet I'll never have a committed relationship or get married of my own free choosing.

As soon as Lisa walked into the room, with her long, straight black hair and brilliant blue eyes, I decided to take advantage of her problems.

She wants my help and I also need her help as well. I'm hoping she will understand. Actually, I'm glad she's under my control.

I'm glad I won't have to waste time hunting for a woman I don't know.

Lisa looks stunning and does a fantastic job at her work. I believe we can work together to make the marriage I am proposing to her seem legal before parting ways after a year. She frustrates me simply because of her clumsiness, which I hate about her.

It takes my mother a year to stop pestering me. It's enough to persuade her of anything.

I don't need a woman. The way I am fine.

But she doesn't understand it. She thinks that I am still suffering from the loss of Helena and our daughter Susie. I'm not, however. I've fully healed from my wound.

Two years should be more than enough time for your scars to heal. Isn't it sufficient to cover up the scar and make it seem as if nothing had happened?

All wounds will heal over time. With time, I believe this has also helped me with mine.

"What?!" This time, her eyes were very red and filled with sadness.

She seems to be reading my thoughts through her piercing blue eyes, trying to figure out why I am proposing this and what I am thinking.

"Yes. Say, "Sit down!" I caution sharply.

She hurriedly walks over to a chair after blinking. She is trembling, and her reddening eyes show that she is terrified.

I lean back, watch, and think about how successful it will be in a year. Lisa can be so cool under pressure, and I know we can handle this.

Are you feeling more at peace now? In answer to my urgent plea, she nods vehemently.

I lean forward and say, "Good." She puts her hands on her lap and takes a long drink. "This union will have legal consequences. I would want you to be my wife for a year. After a year, I will give you additional money, and then you are free to go. I tell her, "Overall, I will pay you $500,000; the first half will be upon signing out an agreement, and the second half will be upon the end of the deal. She'll probably shout with excitement that I'll pay her generously and that in a year she'll be free.

But she's not doing that. She seems frightened. She recently seemed to be weeping. She doesn't seem delighted with the idea of being paid to be married to me in secret for a cause that only I know about.

I sigh. Do you understand?

She shakes her head and sheds a tear. My brows furrow.

What the heck is this? Why's she crying, you wonder?

I'm furious and debating ignoring her when she raises her eyes to look at me.

"Marriage? Why? Why me?"

"Do you want to do it or not? Please stop asking me questions. I reply furiously.

I've said that this is a contract marriage, thus a contract will be made just for this circumstance. She can read the contract's terms and conditions, and if she has any objections, she may let me know or decline to sign it.

What's the big deal exactly?

She should be grateful since I'm providing her with a lot of value at this point. Why does she behave as if I am chastising her?

My puzzled brows wrinkle as she shakes her head.

She only says, "I'm sorry, sir," without offering an explanation. Sorry, sir, but I'm unable to accomplish that.

"Why?" I ask with a frown on my face.

Why on earth would she decline such an amazing offer? Does she really realize what it means to make this much money after only a year of employment?

She wails, "I just can't." I won't agree to be married if a contract is necessary.

I start to laugh and that gets her to stop.

A contract prevents her from marrying me, right? So why would she want to wed me?

She gets to her feet as I bang my hand on the desk out of frustration once again.

As I observe, I clench my fist and give her a nasty gaze.

I wish I hadn't told her that. I should not have told her. I should have stuck to my initial plan and asked Gabriel's wife to help me persuade one of her friends to become my wife for a year, or I could have seen Gabriel later tonight at a bar.

I'll say, "You know what?" I ask a straightforward and important inquiry. My hands shake with wrath.

She bows her head and moves her head away from me.

She hears me say, "Forget I said all that." "Go away now!"

She raises her head in awe as she skates her face.

"Go away now!" My cry makes her dash towards the door. She stood there for a while, seeming to be debating what to do about my offer.

Before I can shout at her to go again, she leaves quickly.