Sam went to the hospital only to discover that Sarah had been discharged. He hadn't visited in a while because he was busy with work. He wasn't surprised to find her gone, but he felt sad about her leaving without saying anything. The only way to find her was to ask Damien, but he wasn't the type to lower himself in front of Damien Sterling. Plus, he wasn't sure what the relationship was between Damien and Sarah.
A month had passed since Sarah had moved into the charming house Damien purchased for her. He resided there as well, in a separate wing, wanting to be close to her, to offer his support and protection as she navigated this new chapter in her life. Their relationship had deepened, evolving into a comfortable intimacy. They shared meals, conversations, laughter, and a quiet understanding that transcended words.
Sarah had made remarkable progress, both physically and emotionally. Her leg had healed, her steps now confident and strong. The fragments of her memory, though still incomplete, were coalescing, forming a clearer picture of her past. She remembered the kindness William Walker had shown her, and later, the loving relationship she had with Ethan.
She woke up one morning, covered in sweat, from a dream about the accident and Ethan. Later that day, she decided to visit Matilda. When she knocked on the door, Matilda opened it, looking at least ten years older and extremely tired. Matilda had aged since the last time Sarah saw her, and Sarah blamed herself in part. Ever since Ethan died, she couldn't sleep and couldn't eat. Upon seeing Sarah, she started crying. Sarah came closer and hugged the old woman. Matilda was frail and weak. She invited Sarah into her small living room, and they sat on the couch. "I've waited for you to come," Matilda said, her face breaking into a fragile smile. "Did you remember?"
"I remember some things, while others are still blurry," Sarah replied. "I have remembered Ethan, our last conversation..."
Matilda started crying again. "He loved you so much. I have tried to persuade him to leave you back then; you were always in some kind of trouble with that family, but Ethan refused every time."
"I'm sorry," Sarah said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "He was so good to me. You know, he was the only person that actually loved me. I have also loved him."
They walked to Ethan's grave, a short walk from the house. At the grave, Sarah took the ring out of her coat and kissed it. "Ethan, I'm sorry we didn't get our happy ever after... It's all my fault." Matilda stopped her, saying, "He would be happy to see you recovered now." Sarah fought the uncontrollable tears, remembering their last moments together before the accident. "He rescued me, but he died. If he didn't save me, he would still be alive..." Matilda comforted her.
One sunny afternoon, as they sat on the porch sipping iced tea, Sarah turned to Damien, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Damien," she began, her voice soft but firm, "I… I want to thank you. For everything. For saving me, for believing in me, for… for giving me a new life."
Damien smiled, his heart warmed by her words. "You don't have to thank me, Isabella," he said gently. "You would have done the same for me."
Sarah shook her head. "No," she insisted. "You went above and beyond. You took care of me when I had nothing, when I remembered nothing. I want to repay you."
Damien chuckled. "How could you possibly repay me?"
"I want to work," she said, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I want to earn my own way. I want to be useful to you and I want to buy you gifts."
Damien's eyes lit up. He knew about her background in design, her passion for creativity. Before the accident, she had graduated and worked as an amateur designer in a small studio, a life that was tragically cut short. Now, she had a chance to reclaim that part of herself.
"That's a wonderful idea, Isabella. But I don't need any other gifts except for you. You, Sarah Walker, Isabella, you are my biggest gift," he said enthusiastically. She frowned a little, and he laughed.
"I have already applied for work at Sunnyside Designs," Sarah then spoke. "It's a small company with a big reputation. Hopefully, they'll have me."
"I know of them, but I have a better idea," Damien said. "In fact, I have just the thing. Sterling Designs is always looking for talented designers. How would you like to join the team?"
Sarah's face lit up with joy. "Really? But that's the biggest design company in the country. I don't think I'm on that level just yet," she sadly spoke.
"I've seen your work. You certainly have what it takes. Plus, I can get you in in a heartbeat," Damien said.
"I don't want to go through the back door," she replied.
"You have a gift, Isabella," Damien said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I believe you'll be a valuable asset to the company, to me. I wouldn't have offered you a job if I didn't think so."
"Will you be my boss?" she asked amusingly.
"I'll be at the Sterling Company headquarters, the newest company under it that's developing new AI Technology software. I'll come twice a week to see how the design company is operating. But you'll have a good boss; the CEO is one of our shareholders that knows fashion better than I do, so if you need anything, you can go to him."
And so, Sarah happily accepted and embarked on a new career, a new beginning. She thrived in the creative environment, her talent blossoming under Damien's support and encouragement. She found joy in designing, in creating, in expressing herself through art. Her boss was a good man and her colleagues loved her. Every day of work was exciting. It was as if she was rediscovering a part of herself that had been lost, a part that was now stronger, more vibrant than ever before.
Meanwhile, at the Sterling mansion, Don Sterling's health had deteriorated further. His grip on reality was slipping, his moments of lucidity becoming increasingly rare. He clung to his desire to see Damien married, to hold his great-grandchild before it was too late.
He summoned Damien to the mansion, his voice weak but insistent. "I've spoken to Thomas and we have arranged… an engagement dinner tonight," he whispered. "For you… and Penelope."
"Our families will hold the press conference in a week to share the news with the public. You two will have to take some photos to show your love," Don spoke with resolution in his voice.
Damien's heart sank. He had hoped to delay this inevitable arrangement, but his grandfather's failing health left him with little choice. Grandfather wants to see me engaged to Penelope, I must oblige. Later, I will figure out the way out. I just need to go through this now to give him a piece of mind, he thought.
That evening, Damien found himself sitting at the long, ornate dining table, facing Penelope Wellington and her parents. The atmosphere was thick with expectation, with unspoken agendas and carefully veiled ambitions. Don Sterling sat at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on Penelope and Damien, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "This is the granddaughter I have always wanted for Damien," he said.
"We couldn't be happier to bless this engagement," Thomas said. "Damien is an outstanding man. I'm sure he will make our little princess happy in the future."
"Penelope," Don began, his voice raspy but firm, "you are a beautiful and accomplished young woman. I know you will be a great ally and a wonderful wife to my grandson. This toast is for you." Don took a glass of wine and drank it.
Penelope smiled, a practiced, polished smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you, Grandpa," she said smoothly. "I'm sure Damien and I will have a very happy and successful future together."
Mr. And Mrs. Wellington exchanged a knowing glance, their faces beaming with approval. They saw this union as a business merger, a strategic alliance that would benefit both families.
Damien remained silent, his gaze fixed on his plate. He felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of expectations and obligations. He knew he couldn't go through with this charade. He couldn't betray Sarah. He couldn't betray his own heart. But how could he defy his grandfather, a man on his deathbed, a man who had sacrificed so much for him? The question hung heavy in the air, a dark cloud looming over the elegant dinner party. He had to run Sterling Technology, Sterling Design, and two more smaller companies focused on import and export—to lead the entire Sterling empire. He had to look after Sarah. He had to stay filial to his grandfather. He had obligations toward the Wellington family. The weight he felt was too grand.