Chapter 9
1194 Words
Darwin brought Damian to his office at Marinez Corp. People stared at him with confusion and a hint of disgust.
Meanwhile, Elisya faithfully followed them.
Once they reached the executive office, Darwin said, “Even if you're pretending to be my nurse, I still want you to run the company behind the scenes. I'm too old to keep working, so I have to rely on you, my only son.”
“But—”
“All the hard work I’ve done over the years would be meaningless if not for you, Son. This is for your future.”
Damian wasn’t sure if he could lead the company. He had no talent in that field.
Still, he nodded, not wanting to disappoint Darwin. The hopeful look in his father’s eyes melted his resistance.
The old man smiled brightly, as if he'd just won the lottery. His dream of handing over his entire fortune to his son was finally coming true.
He had initially planned to pass Marinez Corp down to Elisya, since she had helped him run the business during his repeated hospitalizations.
She even remained loyal to his son, despite not knowing what fate had in store for him.
“So, when are you two getting married?” Darwin turned to Elisya with a soft gaze. He knew she longed for that day.
“Married?” Damian looked confused.
“Did you forget the promise you made to Elisya when you were little? You said you’d marry her when you grew up. Isn’t that right, Elisya?”
Elisya blushed, her cheeks turning red like apples. She nodded slowly.
“Really?” Damian had no memory of the body owner's past. No wonder his heart would pound and an odd feeling would come over him every time he saw Elisya.
He froze. His mind flashed to Seraphina and her betrayal. He knew Elisya was nothing like his ex-wife, but he still hated the idea of marriage—it had trapped him in misery before.
“I just got divorced. Can you give me some time to breathe?” Damian looked at Elisya and Darwin pleadingly.
Elisya smiled faintly, even though her heart ached at the thought that Damian might still love Seraphina. But she understood his situation.
“It’s alright.”
“Who were you married to?” Darwin asked, curious.
Damian couldn’t tell the truth—his father would be furious with Seraphina and the Sanchez family if he knew how they had treated him.
“No one important. Just a simple woman,” Damian replied with a stiff smile.
Suddenly, his phone rang. His eyes widened when he saw Seraphina’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Damian, help! Ms. Seraphina passed out!”
His eyes went wide with shock. “Where is she now?” He rushed out without saying goodbye to Darwin or Elisya.
“She’s at her office!”
“Okay, I’m on my way.”
Damian quickly got into a taxi and headed to Sanchez Corp. When he reached Seraphina’s office, he was stunned to see her lying on the couch, her face pale and lips chapped.
“What happened?!”
“I-I don’t know,” Hannah, Seraphina’s assistant, sobbed hysterically.
Damian grabbed Seraphina’s cold hand, trying to transfer his power, but it was blocked.
‘What’s wrong!?’ Damian was frustrated—he desperately needed his power now.
Without hesitation, he carried Seraphina to his luxury car and drove her to the hospital.
After half an hour in the ER, the doctor came out and informed him that Seraphina’s heart condition had worsened due to stress.
Damian felt guilty and like a complete failure.
“Can I see her?”
Once permitted, he went to visit her.
“Damian?” Seraphina's teary eyes met his. “You’re here?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“I’m sorry for betraying you. If I had known Alston didn’t truly love me, I would never have divorced you,” Seraphina cried. “I regret throwing away a man like you. You probably can’t forgive me. Ever.”
“That’s not true. I forgave you before you even asked.”
Seraphina secretly smirked. *‘You’re such a fool!’*
“Now that you're dating Elisya, I know it's impossible for us to get back together, right?” she said with a regretful look. “But if you could give me one more chance, I swear I’ll change and love you.”
Damian was stunned.
“I don’t know how long I have left. That’s why I want to atone for everything I’ve done to you.”
“No. You’re not going to die. Don’t say that,” Damian grew uneasy.
“But it’s the truth, Damian. My heart condition is getting worse.” Her voice trembled. “That’s why... will you grant me one last request?”
Damian tried to hold back his tears. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
“Take me back.”
Damian hesitated, especially thinking about Elisya, the woman who had waited for him all these years. But he couldn’t go against the promise he made to Lucius, not after everything Lucius had done for him.
Who should he prioritize?
“It’s okay if you refuse, Damian. I know I don’t deserve you—”
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
Seraphina grinned in satisfaction—on the inside.
---
Damian stared at himself in the mirror. He was wearing the same tuxedo from when he first married Seraphina. His expression was filled with sadness and regret, imagining Elisya’s heartbroken face when she learned he was remarrying Seraphina.
Suddenly, a woman walked into his room.
“Damian.”
He stiffened at the sound of her voice. “E-Elisya? How did you—”
“How could you take back the woman who abandoned you?” Elisya’s face showed deep disappointment. Her eyes shimmered, but she refused to show weakness.
“How did you know I was getting married?”
“Does it matter?” she said coldly.
Damian was speechless, unsure how to deal with the situation.
“I’m sorry, but I have no choice. Seraphina’s father was good to me,” he said, hoping his explanation would make sense.
Just then, Seraphina entered the room in a white mermaid gown that hugged her curves.
“You finally came, Elisya. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation,” she said with a smile.
Now Damian knew how Elisya found out about the wedding.
Seraphina was pleased to see disappointment clearly written on the proud woman’s face. She had been jealous that Alston chose Elisya over her, but she felt triumphant now that she had taken Damian back.
Elisya walked away, heartbroken, and cried in the car.
“Aren’t you going after her?” Seraphina asked, pretending to be sad.
“There’s no need.”
*‘I’m sorry, Elisya.’*
After that, the wedding went on. Alston was there to witness it.
But just as Seraphina was about to walk down the aisle, she received a message:
[Hello, I’m Melvin, Vice-CEO of Marinez Corp. I’d like to discuss a partnership. Can you come to the office tomorrow?]
- Writer
