Chapter 20

Vivi's heart raced as she watched Damien's internal struggle play out across his face. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them, to prove her sincerity with actions rather than words. But the weight of her responsibilities held her back, an invisible barrier she couldn't quite bring herself to cross.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Damien," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I understand your hesitation. I haven't made things easy for either of us."

Vivi's mind whirled with conflicting emotions. The desire to be with Damien warred against her sense of duty to her family. She'd made a commitment, entered into this arrangement for their sake. Could she really throw that away for her own happiness?

Seeking a moment to collect her thoughts, Vivi changed the subject. "I, um... I saw you at the party yesterday. With that blonde woman." She paused, her stomach twisting uncomfortably at the memory. "Did you... did you have a good time?"

The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but Vivi forced herself to maintain a neutral expression. She had no right to feel jealous, she reminded herself sternly. She was the one who had pushed Damien away, after all.

As she waited for Damien's response, Vivi's thoughts drifted to her family. What would they think if they knew the turmoil in her heart? Would they understand her conflicted feelings, or would they see it as a betrayal of their trust? The weight of their expectations pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Damien's jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right words. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, his eyes never leaving Vivi's face.

"I... It's complicated, Vivi," he finally said, his voice low and rough. "I can't forget you. No matter how hard I try, you're always there in my thoughts."

He took a step closer, then stopped himself, remembering all the times she'd pushed him away. The pain of rejection flashed across his features.

"But every time I think we're getting somewhere, you pull back. You push me away," Damien continued, frustration evident in his tone. "I don't know what you want from me."

He paused, considering his next words carefully. "Ava... she was fun. Uncomplicated. She didn't make me question everything I thought I knew about myself."

Damien watched Vivi's reaction closely as he admitted, "Yes, I had sex with her. She was there, she wanted me, and for a moment, I thought maybe I could forget about you."

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "But even then, even in the middle of it all, I couldn't get you out of my head. It's maddening, Vivi. I don't know what to do anymore."

Damien's hands clenched at his sides, his body taut with tension. He wanted to reach out to Vivi, to pull her close and never let go. But the fear of another rejection held him back.

"So tell me, Vivi," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do you want? Because I can't keep doing this dance with you. It's tearing me apart."

Vivi's heart raced as she stood before Damien, his words hanging heavy in the air between them. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, her thoughts a tangled mess of desire and duty.

"Damien, I..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't deny that there's something between us. But my family..."

She trailed off, her eyes filling with unshed tears. Vivi thought of her parents, of the financial struggles they'd faced. The arranged marriage to Reginald had been their lifeline, their chance at security. How could she throw that away?

Damien watched her internal struggle play out across her face. His jaw clenched as he realized what her silence meant.

"You're choosing them over us," he said flatly.

Vivi nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "I have to. They've sacrificed so much for me. I can't let them down."

Anger flashed in Damien's eyes, replacing the hope that had been there moments before. He took a step back, his posture stiffening.

"Fine," he spat. "If that's your choice, then let's make this simple. You're just my stepmother now, nothing more. I won't bother you, and you won't have to care about the women I bring to the mansion."

Vivi flinched at his harsh tone, but she forced herself to nod. "If that's what you want."

"It's what you've decided," Damien retorted. He turned away, his shoulders tense. "Enjoy your life with my father, Vivian. I hope it's worth it."

Without another word, he strode out of the room, leaving Vivi alone with her choices and the echoing silence of what might have been.

Damien stormed out of the room, his emotions a volatile mix of anger and hurt. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts with trembling fingers until he found Ava's number. Without hesitation, he hit call.

The phone rang twice before Ava's sultry voice answered, "Well, hello there, handsome. Miss me already?"

"Ava," Damien said, his voice tight with barely contained emotion. "I need you to come to the mansion tonight."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "Oh? And what's the occasion?" Ava purred, her interest clearly piqued.

Damien ran a hand through his hair, pacing the hallway. "No occasion. I just want you here. Can you make it?"

"For you? I'll clear my schedule," Ava replied, a smile evident in her voice. "What time should I arrive?"

"Eight o'clock," Damien said firmly. "I'll have the staff prepare dinner for us."

"Sounds perfect," Ava cooed. "I'll wear something special for you."

Damien ended the call, shoving his phone back into his pocket. He knew inviting Ava was impulsive, maybe even reckless. But right now, he didn't care. He needed a distraction, something to take his mind off Vivi and her rejection.

He strode towards his father's study, intent on informing the staff about the evening's plans. As he walked, he couldn't shake the image of Vivi's face, the conflict in her eyes as she chose duty over desire. Damien shook his head, trying to banish the thought. Tonight was about moving on, about proving to himself - and to Vivi - that he could let go.