Chapter 3
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The entire wall was lined with display cases, every inch a shrine to Damien’s love for Sienna and little Noah. Photos of the three of them looking blissfully happy. Printed and laminated chat logs, preserving every single “I love you.” Noah’s tiny gifts treated like priceless treasures.
The centerpiece was thirty leather–bound scrapbooks with gold covers and embedded gems–all about Sienna and Noah.
[ randomly opened one, finding a note in Damien’s handwriting: [Noah said ‘Daddy‘ for the first time today. Sienna cried, and so did I. This is the happiest moment of my entire life.]
Another one: [Sienna loves lavender, so I planted her an entire field.]
My heart clenched painfully.
In a small box, I found a notebook meticulously tracking Sienna’s cycle–every single day marked with notes about her body and moods. Sticky notes covered in Damien’s reminders were stuck all over it.
flipped to one page: [My assistant asked why I don’t let him remind me about Sienna’s period. I told him that Sienna suffered so much giving birth to my child–I need to remember every bit of her pain.]
And me? When I was doubled over with cramps, he’d just say, “Drink some water.”
found a birthday photo of Noah, Damien holding him with the biggest smile. On the back: [Noah’s birthday. I put nyself through a 24–hour labor pain simulator set to level 10. Sienna, I love you. Thank you for giving me Noah.]
And when I was in labor? He was with Sienna because she’d tripped and scraped her knee.
discovered call logs showing Sienna’s number. No matter how late, Damien always answered. Her ringtone was ome sickeningly sweet love song. Next to it was a note: [Sienna’s exclusive ringtone–must answer no matter when or where. I had a custom watch made that delivers pain reminders if I don’t pick up within three seconds. Can’t miss
I single call.]
Countless nights I’d been woken up by his phone ringing. When my morning sickness was brutal and I couldn’t leep, he made me go to the guest room. When I miscarried and was in agony, he was fast asleep. When I fell out of ›ed and split my head open, he was still sleeping.
Finally, I found a USB drive with monitoring software called “Sienna Baby.”
heard Damien’s voice–once so captivating, now only terrifying. Apparently, this is a recording from a meeting: This software needs real–time monitoring of Sienna and Noah’s emotional and physical health. Noah has a rare congenital condition that requires 24/7 surveillance. Your team needs to make this foolproof.”
And my Lucas? He was left to die alone in a hospital room. I wasn’t even allowed to visit him regularly.
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Chapter 3
This was the truth.
I pulled out my phone and dialed: “It’s me. I’m accepting the position with the 337 Medical Research Project.”
I was leaving. Forever.
The staff brought in several boxes of this season’s luxury items–all top–tier brands. This was Damien’s routine, having new collections delivered every quarter. I used to find it touching. Now it just felt like mockery.
From his study, I’d learned that Sienna enjoyed treatment a thousand times better than mine: a dedicated styling team, first access to global luxury releases, and Damien had even bought her an entire mansion with no furniture–just endless racks of designer clothes with models doing daily fashion shows for her to choose from.
Damien came home and found me spacing out. He wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Brooklyn, still thinking about Lucas?”
I said nothing.
He picked me up and sat me on his lap. “I know you’re heartbroken, but Lucas had that rare condition–we did
everything we could. How about we visit Mom today?”
“Visit Mom?”
“Yeah, Sienna’s not feeling well, and Noah’s had some setbacks after his surgery. Mom’s worried and wants me to bring you over to take a look. You studied medicine, right?”
I laughed coldly to myself. Studied medicine, and still got played by your fake–ass act.
“I don’t want to go.”
Damien’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly softened again. “Brooklyn, Sienna’s my cousin–she had a rough childhood. Mom’s getting older and really cares about her. Just… do it for Mom, okay? I know you’re hurt, but I’ll
make it up to you.”
Make it up to me? With what exactly?
I took a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll go.”
I’d be leaving soon anyway–no point in causing drama now.
Damien seemed relieved and carried me to the walk–in closet. He picked out a light blue dress. “This one’s perfect on
you.”
He helped me into it with gentle movements. When I was dressed, he cupped my face. “So beautiful. My Brooklyn–always the most beautiful.”
Then he leaned down and kissed me.
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Chapter 3
I closed my eyes and let him, my heart completely empty inside.
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