Chapter 5: The First Step
419 Words
The next few days felt like a blur. I spent most of my time in the mansion, adjusting to my new life, while the looming sense of inevitability weighed heavily on me.
Damian’s cold demeanor didn’t change. He remained distant and business-like, but his eyes... there was something there I couldn’t place. Sometimes, when I least expected it, I caught him watching me with an expression that made my heart race — a mix of curiosity, frustration, and something darker.
Today was the day of the procedure.
I walked to the private clinic in the mansion, my stomach a bundle of nerves. I had already gone through all the medical checks. I knew what was coming. But nothing could prepare me for the emotions swirling inside me.
When I arrived, Dr. Richards was waiting, clipboard in hand.
"Ready?" she asked, her tone professional as always.
I nodded, trying to steady my breath.
Ready? I wasn’t sure. I was scared, but I had no choice. I had to do this for Eli.
The procedure itself wasn’t painful, but the cold clinical atmosphere made everything feel unreal. It was like I was just another part of the machinery in this deal — my emotions were irrelevant.
Afterwards, I dressed quickly, avoiding the mirror in the corner. The doctor gave me some instructions, and I followed her out of the clinic, feeling empty and strange.
Damian was waiting for me in his study, as always.
"How did it go?" His voice was flat, his gaze unreadable.
"It’s done," I replied quietly, trying to suppress the mix of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
He nodded.
"Good. We’ll know if it worked in a few weeks."
A few weeks...
I would be living here for weeks. No way out.
I turned to leave, but something made me pause.
Damian’s voice stopped me before I could reach the door.
"Aria," he said quietly, "I don’t want you to think this is easy for me either."
His words surprised me, and I turned to face him.
For a split second, his expression softened — just a fraction — before the walls went up again.
"I’m doing this because I need an heir," he said. "But that doesn’t mean it won’t complicate things."
It was the closest he had come to showing any vulnerability, and it threw me off.
"I understand," I said, turning to leave again.
But this time, as I walked out of the study, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.
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