CHAPTER 35

Damien's POV

I am abruptly awakened from my trance by the buzzing sound of the intercom on the desk, and I drop the pen I was holding in order to pick it up.

I raise an eyebrow as Anna says into the phone, "Mrs. D'Alonzo is here to see you, sir."

What on earth is Caroline doing at this time in my office? I'm getting ready for a meeting outside of the office that starts in an hour.

Because she is aware of how hectic I can be, Caroline seldom calls the workplace. I used to sometimes stay the night at work, particularly after Helena passed away. Since nobody was there to greet me when I returned home, I didn't feel the need to do so. But now that I'm married, it will raise eyebrows if I ever spend another night at the workplace.

Caroline is well aware of this. She is aware of my hectic schedule since she was in New York when Helena passed away. I simply want to know why she is here rather than at our place later tonight.

"Should I let her in?" you ask. I'm abruptly awakened by Anna's voice.

I respond "Yes, please" and put the phone down before readjusting my position on the leather swivel chair.

I shall go on with my task after she has left. I just hope it doesn't take too long.

Before I hear a knock on the door, a minute has passed.

I say, "Come in," and as soon as the door opens, Caroline enters wearing a straightforward straight skirt and shirt, as if she were going to an office job.

I lift my brow to try to mask my amazement. She shuts the door and enters with a gentle giggle.

She murmurs, "Good day to you too, Damien if that is your new way of greeting," and slumps into the chair across from my desk.

I shrugged and said, "I'm just surprised, that's all," as she grinned and looked around my office. "No adjustments,"

"Yeah." She is aware of how much I like maintaining the status quo. regardless of how many times I have to renew it.

everything that goes into an office or a space, including the furnishings, wall art, interior and outdoor accents, and drapes. I detest altering things in this way. Since I initially moved into my home, I've become accustomed to purchasing the same color of curtains every year.

I suppose my mum passed on the quality to me.

The question, "Why are you here?" I ask. We shouldn't have to wait around any longer, and I want to learn the purpose of her visit so I can quench my curiosity.

She sighs and gives me a long, expressionless look before continuing. "Are you two actually dating?"

I don't need a fortune teller to explain what's going on.

Did her mother tell her anything, or is this simply a curious inquiry? Someone's interest is piqued by the manner in which mum screamed those words last night.

I nod because I can see Caroline's fear written all over her face. "Sure, that. If we are not in love with one other, why would I marry her?

I lower my arms and look at her intently. Even if she doesn't seem persuaded, I don't care. Lisa and I have already started dating, and the only person pushing me to get married is my mother.

She is still dissatisfied now that I am married to someone, as she previously said, and I won't give her another opportunity to make this decision for me.

I feel foolish right now for going through this fake marriage for nothing. I should not have carried it out. I should have just stayed true to my desire to live a solitary life.

If only I hadn't heeded her advice. If only I hadn't taken her sobs to heart, Lisa could still be out of my cage and I may still be free from all this filth.

Leaning forward, Caroline says, "Mother thinks otherwise." "Anything you want to tell me, Damien,"

Caroline, what do you want me to say to you? I laugh. "I'm certain that Mrs. Know-It-All told you everything. How did she discover that Lisa and I are not in a relationship? Is this not what she desired? After I made the poor girl think that my Mother liked her, she wanted me to be married, and now that I am married, she wants to be against it. Lisa had the same notion, although I'm not too shocked by the rapid shift in conduct. Do you recall how she treated Helena in a similar manner? I don't understand Mother's love of prejudice.

Caroline quietly cries out, "Damien," stopping me in my tracks. I haven't really thought much about what occurred last night since I've already done all I can to win her approval and I won't take any additional actions that would risk my convenience and pleasure. When I was single, I was content.

But as soon as Caroline arrived, I suddenly became furious and started yelling.

Mother is such a challenge.

Be at ease. What Mother thinks is irrelevant. All I know is that she is keeping an eye on you in the same manner that I am doing right now.

"For crying out loud, I'm not a kid!" Furiously, I smack my hand on the desk. I refuse to let history repeat itself.

After a little pause, she replies, "I just want to know if you two genuinely love each other and I will back you regardless of what Mother thinks. "I know Lisa, and I can tell she likes you. I'm simply here because I was shocked when Mother branded her a money digger.

A "Gold digger?" I laugh again. "My foot, gold digger. Lisa would have left by now if she were really a money digger, as she claims.

"Gone?"

I firmly say, "Yes." Although I hadn't intended to, I couldn't keep Lisa's offer from her once my Mother made it.

I want her to really believe that Lisa and I fell in love and I married her for that reason. This will simplify my strategy. I'll let them know that I'm to blame and that marriage isn't for me if it doesn't work out.

"Lisa would have taken my Mother's offer of a million dollars, which she was prepared to give to her if Lisa would leave me," my mother said.

"What?!" Caroline screams in shock.

Do you observe? You call her a money digger because she still lives with me despite having a million dollars? I tell you what, I'm done with this and I'm not coming back until she acknowledges that Lisa is my wife.

Before closing it, Caroline's lips dangle open for a moment.

"This is incredible!"

"You need to question her directly. Though she could contest it. Lisa declined the offer and informed her that she couldn't leave her, which is why she had altered her demeanor. I'm not sure what her genuine issue is.

There is a pause. Caroline still presents as perplexed. She finds it difficult to comprehend that my Mother is essentially paying Lisa to leave me.

It is inappropriate.

I must make my own choices since I am an adult. My parents' influence prevented my firm from growing to this level. I only ask my father for help on business-related matters if I am confident in his expertise.

Not every piece of advice suits me, however. I also don't listen to counsel. I consult experts and do independent research before deciding whether to carry out the strategy or not.

I will accept that whatever occurs subsequently will be the result of my actions.

Before turning to face me, Caroline shakes her head as if to jolt herself back to reality. "Damien, just be calm. Please remain composed and refrain from becoming angry with her. She must have justifications for her statement. Perhaps she's attempting to test Lisa in some way.

This chat is over, thank you. It has no direction. I am her mother, thus I am the one who knows her best.

My voice is now low as I ignore her by picking up the paperwork I was working on before she arrived and saying, "Stop trying to justify her actions, Caroline." "Whether she is testing Lisa or not, she is still at fault, and I won't take it lightly if anything similar occurs again. She requested this. Lisa and I will file for divorce if things don't work out, but for the time being, we both firmly believe that we are meant to be together forever.

She seems to be watching me intently with her eyes, perhaps trying to determine if I am speaking the truth or lying.

I no longer give a damn. Any thought is acceptable. What I want to accomplish after a year won't alter as a result.

She jumps up before I can inform her that I need to get ready for a meeting. "John, the lads, and the infant are in the automobile. I simply wanted to say goodbye and see you momentarily. We're headed to the airport.

"Oh!" I only mutter. I had no idea they would go so quickly.

Since Caroline visited with her husband, an international chef, I suppose she won't be able to remain for very long this time. Being absent from work for days might be difficult.

Since I am accustomed to working every day, I can connect to this since I become bored anytime I take a day or two off. Except on my wedding day, I can't recall the last time I took a day off from work.

She approaches me as I get up and gives me a cozy embrace. She gives me a grin as we break off the embrace.

I do the same.

"Be careful with Lisa. She strikes me as a kind person with a pure heart. One of these days, I'll find some time to see her and hang around.

I started to grin with sincere smiles. "I will. Have a secure journey.

She takes a step back and says, "See you soon." I continue to wave till she approaches the door and turns to face me with a loving expression.

She is giving me optimistic and worried looks, and I can tell what they both imply.

Caroline isn't totally convinced by what I say, but she still wants Lisa and I to be married forever, even if it's only an act.