THE WIFE HE NEVER EXPECTED

A Promise at Sunrise

Chapter 13: A Promise at Sunrise

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, bathing the mansion in a warm golden glow.

For the first time in days, the house felt peaceful.

Amara stood on the balcony outside her room, breathing in the cool morning air. The events of the previous night still lingered in her mind—the mysterious note, the broken security system, and the secrets Damien continued to hide.

She heard footsteps behind her.

"You wake up early."

She turned to find Damien dressed casually in a plain white shirt and dark jeans.

Without his expensive suits, he looked less like the feared billionaire everyone talked about and more like an ordinary man.

"I couldn't sleep," Amara admitted.

"Neither could I."

He walked beside her and rested his hands on the balcony railing.

For a while, they watched the sunrise in silence.

"It's beautiful," Amara whispered.

"It is."

"My mother loved sunrises," Damien said after a pause. "She used to say every sunrise is proof that no matter how dark the night is, morning always comes."

Amara smiled gently.

"I think I'd have liked her."

Damien looked at her and smiled.

"I think she would have liked you too."

Their eyes met.

This time, neither of them looked away.

---

Mrs. Evelyn interrupted them with a cheerful voice.

"Breakfast is ready!"

The dining table was filled with warm pastries, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and hot chocolate.

As Amara reached for a slice of toast, Damien quietly moved the jam closer to her.

She noticed.

"Thank you."

"You always choose strawberry jam."

She blinked.

"You noticed that?"

He shrugged.

"I told you... I notice things."

She laughed.

"So, Mr. Billionaire pays attention after all."

"Only when it matters."

Mrs. Evelyn watched them from the doorway with a smile she tried very hard to hide.

---

Later that afternoon, Damien received a phone call.

His expression became serious.

"I have to go to the office."

"So soon?" Amara asked.

He nodded.

"I'll be back before dinner."

As he reached the front door, he stopped and turned around.

"Promise me something."

"What?"

"If anything feels strange..."

He stepped closer.

"...don't try to solve it alone."

She smiled.

"I promise."

"And keep your phone with you."

"I will."

Only after hearing her answer did Damien leave.

---

An hour later, Amara decided to spend some time in the library.

She wandered between the tall bookshelves until she noticed an old photo album tucked behind a row of novels.

Curious, she pulled it out.

Inside were photographs of the Black family from years ago.

One picture caught her attention.

It showed Damien, his mother, Isabella...

...and a young boy she had never seen before.

The boy looked about Damien's age.

On the back of the photograph, someone had written in neat handwriting:

"Family isn't always chosen by blood."

Amara frowned.

"Who are you?"

Before she could turn the page, a voice behind her answered.

"You've found him."

She spun around.

Mrs. Evelyn stood at the library entrance.

Her smile had faded.

Looking at the photograph, she whispered,

"His name was Adrian..."

"And if he were still alive today..."

"...everything would be different."