CHAPTER 27

Damien's POV

She looks at me innocently, as if there were no reason for me to be angry about what she was asking. My cold glance tears through her.

Gay? What on earth is that?

She looks down and says, "I'm sorry," before turning it back up. I'm sorry if my assumptions were incorrect, but I really need to know.

You know what? I yell violently at her.

What's so tough about keeping to yourself as I go about my own? Why the heck, after just three days of marriage, is Lisa starting to make me question my decision to marry her?

She was supposed to be a peaceful wife who never caused me any issues and always followed my instructions.

"I apologize. When it's evident that nobody is aware of how false this is, I'm simply baffled as to why we ever got married in the first place. Since you are homosexual, I've merely assumed that you are.

Since there won't be any sex, why? Is it the cause of your worries? I respond vehemently as a frown appears on my face.

She shook her head and held her frail body close to her.

"This is about us, not sex, and I believe I have a right to know why we are married. Before we get married, I should ask all of these things, but it's not too late.

I exhale deeply and run my hands through my hair.

I purposely chose not to respond when she inquired about my night when I initially entered since I knew she was just enquiring because she knew I didn't spend the night here.

Although we are a couple, our relationship isn't genuine, thus she shouldn't care about where I stay the night. It's all business here. strictly business-related. I don't want any conflicted feelings. I don't need her concern or empathy. All I want is for this whole thing to be over with.

"Is that all there is to it?" I clench my teeth in rage as I return her round-faced gaze. "You're curious as to why I asked you to be my wife for a single year, aren't you? Is that all, then?

She nods loudly while gagging.

I spin around and advance with wide steps toward the sofa in front of me. I hunch forward, cross my right leg over the other, and slouch.

I'll tell her now because this is it. She will get her questions answered, but that's all.

Last night, I went out with Gabriel so we could have a quick discussion regarding our proposition. Since I haven't made arrangements for a bed to be added to the Master's bedroom, Lisa and I would be forced to share a bed, which I didn't want, I changed my mind and opted to stay at a motel instead of returning home right away.

I made the decision to sleep outside rather than return inside to stress over where to sleep and how we would wind up by morning. This way, the problem of bringing in a new bed for her will be handled this morning. I won't have to worry about sharing a bed with her any longer thanks to this.

Even though I didn't want to go out, I did, and because we aren't really a pair, I don't anticipate her asking me why.

I raise an eyebrow at her because I expect her to sit down so I can finish this and go to work. She pinches her bottom lip and undoubtedly regrets asking me such a pointless inquiry.

She takes a seat.

"First of all, I won't accept you treating me disrespectfully just because we are moving in together and will be sharing a room. When I was your supervisor, I wanted to be treated with the same respect that you do now. I gently stress to her that even though the title has changed, I am still her employer.

There is a pause, and I am waiting for her to say sorry. I won't accept that from her at a later time since asking me whether I'm homosexual is very disrespectful.

She has no right to question my sexuality, even if I am homosexual. I am free to do anything I want with my life since it is mine.

I said, "Did you hear what I said?"

She answers hastily, "Yes, sir," and I roll my eyes at her.

Damien is here. I firmly say, "When I said you should show some respect, I am not talking about you addressing me sir, and I wonder if she is intentionally trying to bother me.

She nods while biting her lip once again. Damien, I agree. I apologize.

I let go of my crossed legs and lean forward, glaring at her. The reason I asked you to marry me, in response to your query, is so that my mother would stop bugging me about getting married and having children. She looks up at me with a question regarding what I just said, but I won't give her the opportunity to ask it. She deserves to know, therefore I'm only telling her this now. Even though I have the option to not inform her, I want to be kind.

She anticipates that because I am the only child and all of my relatives are married, I will also marry and have kids. I choose to do this because I don't believe in any of this nonsense. Your request for assistance came at the perfect moment, and because I have known you for over a year, I determined you would be the greatest choice and won't cause me any difficulty at all, I tell her. I add that she remains silent. Alternatively, "Or will you?"

She sits up, her face displaying uncertainty. "What?"

Will you annoy me in any way?

I nod as I struggle to come up with anything more I need to say to her as she tells me gently, "No, no, no, I won't."

"My mother holds me to a very high standard, so I want to show her that marriage isn't for everyone. I add with disdain, "I know she will surely cease with her marriage lessons and quit thinking about grandkids after a year when we are divorced.

What good are children if you're going to lose them? Since I have already experienced that era, I really do not wish to do so again.

That is awful. It's like reality giving you a smack in the face and making what you thought was impossible.

Who would have imagined that my little daughter would pass away so young? I had ideas. There were several preparations for her to come with the kids, but they were all foiled.

So why should I consider having children to be a success when it isn't? It is nothing more than a simple duty. It only includes feelings you don't want to express but must since they are inescapable. In the end, it renders you too feeble.

Sad and exposed.

I'm through!

Even though my mother doesn't know that I haven't fully recovered, I still had to take the time to accomplish this for her despite my struggles with old memories.

There is still agony. Fresh. causing pain at every conceivable chance.

Even though happiness is quite different from what I had in mind for myself, I just want her to be happy, therefore that is why I am doing this.

With Helena and my child, it perished.

I apologize once more for my curiosity, but now that I understand what it is, I feel more at ease pretending that this is real. I also know who to target and where to focus my energy.

Is that all, then? I grow irritated and ask as I get up from the couch. I need to take a quick bath before leaving because I'm already running late for work.

She also gets up but doesn't respond with the affirmative I'm expecting. She still appears to have a question or several left to ask.

I'm not going to do this. There is no doubt that now is not the appropriate time. She only has this chance because I felt she deserved to know.

Why don't you want children? Why don't you think marriage is important?

I crease my brows in admiration of her bravery.

Is that of any concern to you? I snarl instead of screaming at the top of my lungs.

Her head is lowered.

I saunter toward the bathroom door while hissing loudly. It's not her fault; as a result of my willing response to her question, she now feels entitled to inquire about anything pertaining to me, as if she were actually my wife.

She calls after me, "I'm sorry," but I don't respond as I enter the bathroom and slam the door shut, figuring she must have left by the time I finished taking my bath.