Chapter 14

• Damien sat at his expansive desk, a jumble of paperwork and project mock-ups spread before him like a battlefield of responsibilities. The soft hum of the office felt almost comforting, a familiar backdrop to the chaos in his mind. He’d been attempting to focus on the details of upcoming projects, but thoughts of Charlotte crept in uninvited, her image lingering like a specter in the corners of his consciousness.
• Just as he leaned back, seeking a moment of clarity, the door swung open, and his father stepped inside. The older man wore a casual expression, but Damien knew better than to be fooled by that façade. He immediately straightened up, a sense of dread settling in as his father approached.
• “Damien! Working hard, I see,” his father remarked, feigning casual interest as he glanced over the papers on the desk. “You know how I feel about balance; you need to make time for yourself as well.”