Chapter 12
After that meeting, I never saw Damien again.[]
Once I absorbed Whitmore Industries, I became Wall Street royalty overnight. [
I wasn’t just some Whitmore daughter anymore–I was the fucking CEO.]]
A few months later, Nathaniel proposed for real.]
Three months after that, we were standing in Milan Cathedral.
Nathaniel took my hands, holding a bouquet of white roses, his eyes soft as hell.
“Aurelia, I suck at romantic speeches. I’ve probably told you I love you like a hundred times, but this definitely won’t be the last.”
“You always ask when I fell for you. Truth is, the first time I saw you, I thought ‘this girl’s been through hell and back.“”]
“I’ve seen you at your lowest point, and I’ve watched you become absolutely powerhouse. I know you’ve got scars. I know you don’t trust promises. I know you’re used to fighting your battles alone.”
“But standing here today, I need you to know something.“]
“From now on, whatever crazy dreams you’ve got–I’m all in. Whatever’s still hurting–we’ll fix it together. I’m never leaving your side.”
“I swear to you, Aurelia, for the rest of our lives, you’ll sleep peacefully, happy forever, and be the happiest woman on this planet.”
“I love you. Not because you’re perfect, but because you’re you.”
“Will you marry me?”
I was tearing up, about to say yes, when the cathedral doors exploded open.[]
Damien stood there, eyes bloodshot and wild. []
“Aurelia, you can’t marry him!”
He rushed down the aisle and collapsed at my feet, his voice breaking.]
“I’ve had time to think about everything. I know I screwed you over badly, but we’ve got two lifetimes of history. That’s not something just anyone can replace. I don’t believe you feel nothing for me.”
“I know you hate me. I’ll spend my whole life making it up to you. Just give me a chance to earn your forgiveness.“[]
“This time, you don’t have to love me back. Just let me stay close to you. Please?”
He carefully slipped a ring onto my finger. “I hit every jewelry store in New York to find this–it’s exactly like our wedding ring from our past life. Can we try again? Please?”
Chapter 12
I yanked my hand away hard. The ring hit the floor and rolled away.[]
“Damien, why can’t you accept that I don’t love you anymore?“[]
“Listen carefully–right now, you mean as little to me as that ring on the floor. Nothing.“[]
“I don’t do second–best anymore. You’re ancient history. Nathaniel is the man I chose, and we’re going to have an amazing life together.”
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed Nathaniel softly.[]
**
The kiss was gentle but sure, tasting like sunshine and ocean breeze–completely different from all those memories filled with lies and pain.
I opened my eyes and met Damien’s gaze–eyes filled with heartbreak.]
H
Then he started laughing–this horrible, broken sound echoing through the sacred space.[]
“No. I don’t believe it.“]
“Two lifetimes together can’t mean less than him. Impossible! It’s fucking impossible!”
T
His eyes went completely insane. He suddenly pulled a knife from somewhere and drove it straight into his own chest without hesitation.
Blood poured out everywhere, but I turned away.
