CHAPTER 20

Damien's POV

Helena is more attractive than ever. She is smiling, which enhances the brightness of her face.

When she was living, she didn't have as much beauty. Do the deceased seem more attractive than they did in life?

She moves her face toward mine, and I find myself grinning as my attention is drawn to her delicate pink lips.

I lean in for a kiss as my eyes automatically shut. I suddenly hear a loud noise, and my eyes briefly open.

"Ouch!" A loud thump on the floor is followed by a scream.

I get out of bed and sit up, wondering what has occurred and where I am for a time.

I then had a memory.

There are other people on the bed beside me. I'm now married. not Helena, but to another person.

My secretary, Lisa, is someone else.

similar to the one who just rolled off the bed. Probably because I thought she was Helena, my deceased ex-fiancee, and I was leaning in for a kiss.

I hastily get out of bed and quickly go to the other side to assist her in standing.

The pillow was standing between us. How on earth did she approach me? She spent the night in my room the night before, so I assumed that the limits had already been established.

If I wasn't so anxious by the notion of my mother's presence, I wouldn't be doing this. I am aware of what she is capable of, and even a little oversight on our part might raise questions about our marriage.

Lisa touches her foot in discomfort as I assist her in standing. I uncomfortably scratch my head after assisting her back into the bed, feeling the need to find an explanation.

She was clearly sound sleeping while I was having an unbelievable dream.

The instant Lisa's back hit the bed when she entered last night, she slept off, demonstrating how deeply she sleeps.

Why did I think that? This is not the kind of dream that I often experience. Why must it occur on a night like this?

She says gently, "What happened?" with a look of perplexity on her face as she likely searches for the cause of the incident that caused her to fall off the bed.

I maintain a straight expression and raise my arms in a sign of wrath. Why the heck are you acting this way?

Her uncertainty grows as she promptly turns her head in my direction. Did I do anything incorrectly? She stutters her expression now one of fear and humiliation.

I clench my teeth and gesture toward the bed. How is it that a King-size bed cannot fit both of us? Where is the pillow that we used to mark the boundary?

She shudders and spins about in search of the purported cushion. I honestly don't know whether she got rid of them or if it was me. On the other side of the bed, the pillows are directly on the ground. I noticed them before rushing over to this location, and I feel guilty.

The fact that I don't often do this and that I have trouble falling asleep perplexes me. How the heck did I do all of this without being aware?

She staggers to the other side and chews her lip when she sees the three pillows we placed in the center of the bed to give each other room before moving to the floor to sleep.

I ought not to have slept here. I am aware that I sleep deeply, and" she pauses.

Immediately after being angry, remorse creeps in.

"It's okay. I'll take the sofa for a bed. You may return to your room tomorrow, I say, brushing the matter aside as I pass her to reach for the pillows.

I place two of the pillows on the bed and go close to the bed to the L-shaped couch. I've never tried sleeping on a couch before, and I intend to do it now.

It is only 3 am, and despite tossing and turning in bed and worrying about everything and the job I had to do at work today, I didn't fall asleep until it was 1 am.

Lisa didn't move at all until I was sleeping. I regret making her feel guilty for getting out of bed.

The next evening, she had to return to her room. I should also speak with the servants. I've already told Paulina, and I'm curious whether she's informed anybody else. I doubt it since I didn't ask her to.

I'll do it tomorrow before Lisa goes, but not until I've cautioned them not to ever tell anybody about this.

We should keep this a secret. for a whole year.

I collapse on the couch and let go of the pillow. Lisa is still standing and chewing her bottom lip as I turn around.

Does she always act in this way when she is anxious? Since she began serving as my secretary, I have never seen her biting her lips in this manner.

I often see her biting her lips now that we are in a relationship rather than coworkers.

I said, "Aren't you going to bed?" I challenge strongly.

She shook her head, "No. I ought to take the couch instead.

"What?!" I yell out in shock.

"I regret waking you up from your slumber. I don't want to continue doing it. I don't mind sleeping on the couch; you should have the bed.

"No. Get into bed. I ignore her and recline on the couch, my head resting on a cushion.

I adjust since the couch feels too tiny for me. When Lisa appears in my peripheral vision, still standing with the intention of letting her sleep here while I sleep peacefully on the bed, I turn once again, attempting to find a comfortable sleeping position.

I may have a harsh heart, but I'm not cruel.

She is still my wife, which makes her my duty. Until she does it herself, I will make sure to keep all of my promises to her.

She shouldn't be sleeping here while I take advantage of the big bed.

I'd rather put up with the discomfort of this for the night. We won't have to share a bed or a room anymore as of tomorrow when everything will be fixed.

I find the appropriate position as I lie on my right side with my back to her and shut my eyes without once more ordering her to go to bed.

Any gentleman would have done what I have done. She is left to make the most of the circumstances and enjoy her slumber on the night before her wedding.

I was preoccupied with her notion and unsure of whether she had returned to bed when sleep finally overcame me.