Chapter 23

• Damien paced the expansive conference room of the downtown venue, the soft hum of ambient music swirling around him as preparations for the company party unfolded. He adjusted his tie, glancing at his reflection in the polished glass of a nearby window. The view was breathtaking—a mosaic of the city lights reflecting off the night sky—but all he could think about was the weight of expectations resting on his shoulders. Tonight was crucial for the firm, a celebration of accomplishments and a seed for future partnerships.
• But it was more than just business. Esther would be there—his fiancée, the woman who represented everything his parents expected of him. She was everything Charlotte wasn’t according to them: polished, ambitious, successful. Each interaction with her felt scripted, rehearsed, and yet, there was an urgency in Damien's heart that pulled him elsewhere. He wanted to see Charlotte. Despite the complications that weighed between them like a thick fog, the thought of her presence intrigued him.
• With a sigh, Damien ran a hand through his hair. He’d invited Charlotte, knowing the risks but hoping for something genuine amidst the facade he’d learned to navigate. He had to be careful. The last thing he wanted was for his father’s influence to drive a wedge between him and Charlotte, but the way she had looked at him the last time they had seen each other haunted him. There was a fear in her eyes—a fear he wanted to confront.