Chapter 29

Vivi stood alone in the room, her heart heavy with the finality of her decision. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as the reality of what she'd done sank in. Outside, she heard the roar of an engine as Damien's car peeled out of the driveway.

Meanwhile, Damien gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white with tension. He had no destination in mind; he just needed to get away. The mansion, once a symbol of his family's wealth and power, now felt like a prison. Every corner held memories of Vivi, memories he now had to bury.

As he drove aimlessly through the city streets, his phone buzzed. It was Ava. For a moment, he considered ignoring it, but then he remembered Vivi's words. If she could move on, so could he.

"Hey, Ava," he answered, his voice rough with emotion.

"Damien! I was hoping we could meet up tonight," Ava's sultry voice came through the speaker.

He hesitated for a moment before replying, "Sure, why not? I'll text you the address of a bar downtown."

Back at the mansion, Vivi tried to go about her day as if nothing had changed. She busied herself with household tasks, desperate for any distraction. But everywhere she looked, she saw reminders of Damien - his favorite mug in the kitchen, a jacket he'd left draped over a chair.

Reginald returned home in the early evening, oblivious to the tension that had filled the house in his absence. He greeted Vivi with a kiss on the cheek, and she forced a smile, playing the role of the dutiful wife.

"Where's Damien?" Reginald asked, looking around.

"He... he went out," Vivi replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure when he'll be back."

Reginald's eyes narrowed, and a slight frown formed on his face. He had noticed the strain in Vivi's voice and the way she avoided his gaze. "Is everything alright between you two? You seem..." He searched for the right word, "distant."

Vivi's heart raced as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Everything's fine," she lied, her voice steady, hoping he couldn't sense the turmoil within her. "Damien's probably just blowing off some steam."

"Well, I hope he returns soon," Reginald said, his tone conveying a mixture of concern and disappointment. "We have an important social engagement tomorrow evening. I'd like for us to present a united front, especially with my business associates and their families present."

Vivi nodded, her mind racing as she realized the challenge that lay ahead. "Of course," she managed to say, her voice tight. "I'll make sure he's aware of the event."

As the sun set, Vivi found herself standing at the window, a glass of wine in her hand. She watched the shadows lengthen across the lawn, her mind filled with thoughts of Damien. Where was he? Who was he with? The questions nagged at her, but she pushed them away, trying to focus on the warmth of the wine in her hand and the fading light.

Little did she know that at that very moment, Damien was sitting in a dimly lit bar, his eyes fixed on Ava as she seductively ran her finger along the rim of her cocktail glass. The air between them crackled with anticipation, the memory of their passionate encounters still fresh in their minds.

"You look deep in thought," Ava said, her voice low and inviting.

Damien tore his gaze away, taking a sip of his drink. "Just thinking about..." He trailed off, not wanting to admit that his thoughts were consumed by a woman he could never have.

Ava leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Tell me," she whispered, urging him to confide in her.

Damien shook his head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. Just some family drama."

Ava's fingers gently brushed his, and she gave him a knowing look. "Family can be complicated," she said, her voice full of understanding. "But tonight, let's forget about them and focus on us."

Ava leaned closer, her perfume filling his senses, and her full lips curved in a mischievous smile. "Tonight, I want you all to myself."

Damien felt a twist of desire in his gut. The memory of Vivi's rejection still stung, and he found himself leaning into the temptation that Ava offered. "What did you have in mind?" he asked, his voice husky.

Her eyes flicked down to his lips before meeting his gaze again. "I want to show you just how good it can be between us."

Their eyes locked, and Damien felt a surge of desire as he imagined what was to come. He had tried to push his feelings for Vivi aside, but now, with Ava's sultry promise hanging in the air, he wanted to lose himself in the moment.

They didn't say another word as they left the bar and made their way back to the Blackwood mansion. Once inside, Ava wasted no time, leading Damien up the stairs to one of the guest rooms. With each step, the anticipation built, and Damien found himself drawn further into her web of seduction.

As they entered the room, Ava locked the door behind them, turning to face Damien with a hungry look in her eye. She slowly unbuttoned her blouse, revealing a lace bra that barely contained her ample cleavage. "I've been thinking about this all day," she murmured, her eyes flicking down to his crotch.

Damien felt his body respond to her words and the promise they held. He pulled her close, his hands roaming over her curves, then down to the curve of her hips. "I want you," he growled, his voice thick with desire.

Ava smiled, a wicked gleam in her eye, and pushed him gently onto the bed. She climbed on top of him, straddling his lap, and began unbuckling his belt. Her movements were slow and deliberate, designed to drive him wild with anticipation. "I want you to forget about everything else," she whispered, leaning down to trail kisses along his neck.

As Damien's hands moved over her body, he let himself get lost in the moment, in the feel of Ava's soft skin under his fingers, and the taste of her lips on his. For now, Vivi's memory would have to wait.