Chapter 42
New Deal
Elena
The room was silent and Damien's eyes were still fixed on me, his unasked questions still hung in the air.
Should I tell him the truth? The big question lay before me, the problem was, I couldn't decide.
I still clutched the document in my hand, my bold italic signature stood out in my gaze, a reminder of the contract I'd committed myself to so many months ago.
"I'm telling you the truth Elena," Damien stared at me. "I wouldn't lie to you, not about this."
I sighed, glancing away. Despite myself, Damien's words had the ring of Truth in them. I only wondered what he'd say if I revealed I'd never lost my memory in the first place.
But even now, after all these months the memory of our last encounter before the accident lingered. I could still see the image of Damien tangled with Sophia at his office, and I could still hear his cold words in my head.
"I don't remember any of it," I whispered, meeting Damien's gaze levelly. "If I had a husband I'd remember—"
"But look at it," Damien interrupted, gesturing to the contract in my hand. "It's all there Elena, that's your signature."
"It is," I nodded, and I traced my finger along the writing slowly. "Why did you marry me?" I suddenly asked, raising my head to look at his. "Did you love me?"
"Me?" Damien looked startled but he swiftly regained his composure. "I didn't," he said, his voice was calm and cool.
"Then…" I pressed, staring at him. "Why did you?"
"Because…" Damien trailed off, he looked deeply conflicted.
"You don't know?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Quite odd" I chuckled, still running my finger along the document.
Damien's eyes flashed with a cold light and he looked like he was going to burst out but he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"I had to," he began, staring at me. "I needed a wife, needed the prestige of your family name and—"
"So you didn't do it for love?" I interrupted, I smiled secretly when Damien winced slightly. "You married me for my name, a woman who you didn't know."
Damien remained silent, his silence already an answer.
"How did you treat me—when I was in your house?" I asked, carefully keeping my expression blank. But I could feel a heavy pressure press down on me even as I waited for his answer and memories threatened to flood me.
"I didn't care about you," Damien met my gaze, his eyes were still like a pool of water. "Our marriage was nothing but a convenience, until—" Damien hesitated before continuing. "Until that night…"
I felt my cheeks heat up and I avoided his gaze even as memories of that night flooded into my head. Damien had rocked my world for a while, until… my eyes dimmed.
He'd said I tasted like her, the thought sent a rush of anger rushing through me.
How dare he! The thought pricked at me even now.
I exhaled, keeping my emotions at bay. "Why did I leave?" I asked, staring at him. I half expected him to lie.
"A misunderstanding," Damien's expression didn't as much as flicker. "I was drunk, I—" he trailed off. "I was careless," he finished.
"So," I broke the silence, I stared at the contract in my hand. "You married a woman you didn't love, treated her like trash," I smiled as I spoke.
"You made her sign this contract," I flicked the document onto the desk. "You made her leave you," my voice cracked and I struggled to keep my tone level.
"I didn't marry such a man," I whispered, my voice trembling and tears pricked at my eyes.
He'd given me no choice but to leave, I'd gotten into an accident, lost my memory and now he was trying to remind me I'd been married to him?
The new Elena wouldn't marry such a man, I wouldn't!
For a long moment, Damien remained silent, his eyes flashing with a myriad of thoughts.
"I never said I wanted you back," he suddenly said, his voice cool. "You've lost your memories, but you still have family. I'm telling you so you make your own choices," he said, staring deeply at me.
My choice? My pupils contracted for a split second and I froze. He was right. If Damien had let the word out, I could very well imagine Albert coming out of the woodwork to put his tentacles back into my life.
He'd be thinking wrong if he thought he could appear back into my life and control me I thought, narrowing my eyes.
"I don't want any of this," I began, shaking my head. "This…" I stared at the contract on the table. "This wasn't me." The present me but I didn't say that.
The past me had a lot of differences with me, I would never think of going back to being that pushover Albert could push into marriage. I couldn't go back to being that person, not now. Not ever.
Damien nodded, "I understand," was all he said but I couldn't tell how much he actually understood.
"What's in the past remains there," Damien said suddenly, rising to his feet. "I made you my assistant on this project because I really believe in your capabilities, nothing else."
Damien's words made my eyes flicker as surprise filled me. I hadn't been expecting that.
"Tha—thank you," I managed to speak out.
Damien didn't say a word, he picked up the contract and his next action shocked me.
He tore it in half.
'What!' I gaped, unsure what he was up to.
"Won't be needing this anymore," Damien met my gaze levelly but something about the way he stared at me felt different but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"From now on, you're my assistant," Damien announced with a cold voice, his eyes were dark so I couldn't see through his thoughts. "You'll help me with Project Houston," his eyes met mine with unwavering intensity.
"Deal?"