CHAPTER 58

Damien's POV

I'm packing my briefcase with some papers to go home when I hear the door open and see my mum entering.

"Mother?" She shuts the door and walks inside, and I waggle my eyebrows at her.

Is Anna missing? Why didn't she let me know that Mom was here?

Gabriel and I have scheduled a meeting to seal our transaction and sign the partnership agreement, so I'll leave for home early today. We were unable to accomplish that due to the fact that I had been away from work for a week and had been reporting for duty for three days in a row.

We agreed to meet tonight after he explained how busy he had been with his wife's expectations.

He would have the opportunity to emerge since Sabrina would be going out with her buddy as well. I hope he will be devoted to his wife now that he is expecting a child.

I said, "What are you doing here?" I question her while trying to hide my bewilderment.

Why is she at this location at this time of day? For days, we haven't seen one another. Since I returned from my little excursion with Lisa from the lake home, I haven't seen her.

She says with a snarl, "Of course I came to see you. I do the same and put my bag down as she takes a seat. "How could you have been gone for days with that creature you call a wife? I tried calling you numerous times because I was frightened, but you never returned my calls, and you didn't even want to come see me when you got back. What did it serve? A show? How long did you stay away?

I listen to her rant for a while until she becomes weary and stops talking. I begin the countdown for the 10 minutes I am sparing here while supporting my jaws on my palm.

"Damien, aren't you going to say something?"

I resist the want to yell at her and order her to leave my office.

I inquire while leaning forward and seeing the two minutes she spent yelling. Why did you let Lisa and I to wed?

"What?!" She seems confused by the inquiry. Her brows furrow as well.

"Yes, mom." You got it correctly. When you knew you wouldn't like Lisa and would eventually hate her, why did you let her marry me? I ask again, hoping for a response and the best way to end the conversation with her.

Lisa has been receiving the silent treatment from me due to what transpired between us at the chalet home, but I won't stand by and let anybody else treat Lisa badly, mistreat her, or speak ill of her. Despite the fact that we don't get along, she is a decent person. She is, I am certain of that.

I felt embarrassed of myself since I was unprepared for the kiss. I shouldn't have done it.

I don't know what happened to me, but the vows that typically ring a bell in my brain just vanished with the wind. I didn't understand why I kissed her or why she let me.

That was not what we were intended to do. We are not allowed to do it since it violates the terms of our one-year marriage contract.

The right thing to do, I assumed, was to act as though it never happened, but there is no way in the world I could have talked to Lisa freely after that day without remembering what happened that day. I didn't want to give it much thought because I was determined to continue the healing process and move past the trauma of Helena's death, so I decided not to.

It's very difficult. She ought not to have permitted it.

"Damien, I don't despise her. The stillness is broken by my mother's anticipated response, "She's simply not good for you.

"Really?" I politely ask. She is not suitable for me? Who then is? Anna? That filthy bitch, whoa!"

She smacks her fist down on the desk, her face lit up with rage. Anna is not a bitch; be careful what you say.

"So you need to be careful how you speak about my wife. Be careful how you speak to her and take care of your own business. You have no right to meddle in any of our business since Lisa and I are getting married, not you and Lisa. I start screaming at her.

"Really?" She looks hurt for a moment, and I sigh deeply.

She stutters, "I just want the best for you," and her voice falls off.

"The top?" My rage just won't seem to stay under control. "I gave it my best, and you believe Anna is the greatest? Because she assumed I wouldn't be back at work because I didn't start the day I promised her I would, I found that woman f***ing with one of my colleagues right here in the office the day I began.

"What?!" Her mouth hangs wide in surprise and astonishment. "Anna?"

"Yes, my dear Anna. The daughter-in-law you desired..."

"If that was it, why didn't you fire her?" She shouts, and I'm surprised by it. I'm not sure whether she's asking because she finds it hard to believe or because she's upset with Anna for doing it. She is skeptical that I truly discovered Anna having sex with someone in my office since she is aware of how enraged I can get in such circumstances and that I wouldn't have the patience to heed her cries.

Because I want her to resign of her own free choice and am waiting for the proper chance to exploit the secret she has with me against her and my mother, I didn't do anything on purpose.

Yes.

"You don't think I'm real?" I shake my head and laugh.

"Why should I?" you ask.

If you don't want to, you may go right now, but never again dare you insult my wife.

"Damien, I'll keep repeating it. She is not suitable for you. She just wants your money, after all. She gets to her feet and turns to go.

"She is after my money, she's a gold digger, yet she rejected your offer?" She pauses mid-step and makes a gradual turn to face me.

"You believe I am ignorant?" I brow furrow at her. "Do you really believe I didn't know you were attempting to send her go so you could marry me to Anna in secret? What even do you think of me? With a deep scowl on my face and rage coursing through me, I leap to my feet.

"A kid? someone to whom you may just dictation? Helena experienced the same thing you did. I should have chosen Helena, but what did you do? She nearly left because you made her feel inadequate. I'm done with the crap you are subjecting me to, who knows, maybe she might have survived that accident if she had left me in the first place.

"How can you say you desire my happiness while offering my wife a million dollars to leave me? Exactly what kind of mother are you? Do you even have any concept how far I will go to make sure you are satisfied? Do you have any idea how long it took me to decide to be married only for your happiness? Do you realize the sacrifices I have made to make sure Lisa and I will have a happy marriage and that my horrific history won't play a role in it so you can be happy that I am finally married?

Mother, what more do you need from me? I now have the heavy breathing of someone who has just completed a marathon. "I did not want marriage. I made a promise to Helena, but I violated that promise merely to make you happy. You didn't seem to appreciate my efforts when I made the decision to marry Isabella, do you? What do you want, Mom? Do you want me to carry out your orders despite my displeasure? Do you want it, exactly?

She bemoans the situation and lowers her head in shame. I take a long breath to calm myself down since I know I have been harsh with her.

Were you compelled to wed my father? She lifts her head high in astonishment at the inquiry. Her eyes soften, and I can tell that she is crying.

I just don't get why she is acting in this way. I adore her and respect the relationship she has with my father. I won't be married if I don't love her as much. I may never find love. In order for her to be happy, I am married to the lady I am presently avoiding.

She cries out "I'm sorry" as she gently lowers her body to the ground. Because I couldn't handle it, I get up from my chair and go toward her, grabbing her before she can take a seat on the floor.

I give her a silent, firm embrace. I feel so very angry. So many emotions. unspoken ones. I want to say so many things. I want to let so much out.

Her conduct isn't helping the situation, and I already have a lot on my plate.

Mother starts crying harder and sobbing louder. As I give her a deep embrace and close my eyes, I persuade myself that she has been pardoned.

Despite the fact that we will soon be divorcing, I don't want to look back and regret becoming married to Lisa. And the only way to avoid regretting the marriage is to make sure that my mother approves of her and this union, to take pleasure in the gratification of seeing me get married before the union dissolves, and to make sure that this union is worthwhile.

For me, it may not be worthwhile. but it was worthwhile for Mother and Lisa. Lisa will be able to realize her goals by being married to me for a year, and Mother will be pleased that at least I was married for a year.

At the end of the day, I will also succeed in my goal.

My mum won't nag me to get married ever again if I get divorced after a year.

I shall then live a celibate life.