Chapter 145

• Damien awoke earlier than usual, the golden light filtering through the curtains and warming the space around him. The joyous weight of the previous night lingered in his mind, a beacon of hope nestled deep within his chest. As he got ready for work, images of Charlotte flooded his thoughts—the way her eyes sparkled with unexpected joy when she had shared the news. He found himself smiling broadly, envisioning their future, a swirling canvas of new possibilities.
• Yet, a lingering undercurrent tugged at his heart. His father’s expectations loomed large, a pressing reminder of the engagement that had been planned with Esther. Even though he did not want to confront the situation head-on, a part of him knew it was inevitable. He needed to reassure both his father and Esther that he was still committed to the life they had briefly constructed together; even while his heart belonged elsewhere now.
• As he drove to the office, he rehearsed the conversation in his head. They wouldn’t understand. Would they ever understand? The thought made him uneasy, but he couldn’t afford a battle. Not when he felt this surge of excitement about Charlotte and their future child. He just had to find a way to balance everything, a tightrope act that had him feeling as though he was walking a precarious line.